An ancient papyrus document suggests Jesus may have been married. Harvard Divinity School Professor Karen King writes about the “Gospel of Jesus’ Wife” as the words on the ancient fragment have been termed.  

The authenticated fragment contains a phrase where Jesus, speaking with his disciples, says, “My wife...” The context is one of debate over whether women who are wives and mothers can be considered disciples – not an independent declaration of the marital status of Jesus.

While the marital status of the historical Jesus is fun to ponder, it has no bearing on my own spirituality.  The discipleship role of women has always been clear: Women who are wives or mothers or vowed religious or single or widowed or divorced or anything else have believed, followed and loved as Jesus loved. Loved others with a profound kind of love Jesus likely experienced from his mother, maybe even his wife.

 

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