The Da Vinci Code, a popular mystery/thriller novel by Dan Brown, has sparked much debate and controversy since its publication in 2003. At the heart of the story is the suggestion that Jesus Christ was married to Mary Magdalene and fathered children with her, and that the Catholic Church has suppressed this secret for centuries. While the book is fictional, it has caused many to question what the Bible really says about Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Here is a look at some of the key claims of The Da Vinci Code and what the Bible has to offer on these topics:
Was Jesus Married to Mary Magdalene?
One of the central claims of The Da Vinci Code is that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene. There is no credible historical evidence to support this claim. The New Testament gospels never mention Jesus being married or having a romantic relationship with any woman. The four gospels that discuss Jesus’ ministry focus on his teaching, ministry, death, and resurrection – not his marital status. If Jesus had been married, it almost certainly would have been mentioned by the gospel writers.
Mary Magdalene is mentioned prominently in the gospels as a follower of Jesus and witness to his crucifixion and resurrection (Matthew 27:56, John 20:1-18). But there is nothing to suggest she was his wife. The Bible describes Mary Magdalene and other women helping to support Jesus’ ministry financially and following him as disciples (Luke 8:1-3) – something very counter-cultural for the time. But this does not mean she was his wife.
Furthermore, the customs of 1st century Judaism strongly indicate that if Jesus had been married, his wife would have traveled with him. But there is no mention in scripture of Jesus having a literal traveling companion or common-law wife. While marriage was the norm for Jewish rabbis and teachers in Jesus’ day, the silence of scripture on the matter strongly implies he remained single (see 1 Corinthians 7:7-9 for positive reference to singleness).
Did Jesus Have Children?
The Da Vinci Code also purports that Jesus fathered actual children with Mary Magdalene, creating a bloodline that continues on to this day. Once again, there is no historical evidence to support this claim. None of the gospels mention Jesus having children. And if Jesus did have biological children, it is unthinkable that not one of the gospel accounts or Paul’s letters would mention anything about them. The complete absence of any reference to Jesus’ descendants strongly rebuts the notion that he had biological children.
Some have argued that the “brothers” and “sisters” of Jesus mentioned in the gospels could have been his children. However, the Greek words translated as “brother” and “sister” were commonly used for extended family and close friends and do not necessarily imply literal offspring. The gospel accounts themselves indicate that Jesus’ “brothers” were sons of Mary and Joseph (Matthew 13:55, John 2:12). If they were Jesus’ sons, they surely would have been identified as such rather than presented as sons of Mary and Joseph.
Was There a Royal Bloodline?
Building on the marriage and offspring claims, The Da Vinci Code proposes that Jesus and Mary Magdalene established a royal bloodline that has been kept secret to the present day. Once again, there is no credible evidence for this claim either from Scripture or history. If Jesus did have biological children, they would have been noted in the New Testament accounts. Nor do later historical records make note of any such descendants as playing a significant role in the early Christian movement.
In fact, any direct bloodline from Jesus would have held no royal privilege or protection in the predominantly Jewish culture of that time. The New Testament is clear that Jesus presented himself as a humble servant rather than an earthly king, and his kingdom was spiritual, not physical (John 18:36). So even if Jesus had direct physical descendants, they would hold no special claim or authority.
What Does the Bible Say About Mary Magdalene?
Though Mary Magdalene was not Jesus’ wife, she was still a central figure in the gospel accounts. According to Luke 8, Mary Magdalene was delivered and healed by Jesus of either demonic possession or some physical illness. She then became a devoted follower who helped provide for Jesus’ ministry:
“Soon afterward he [Jesus] went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.” (Luke 8:1-3)
Mary remained faithful to Jesus even during his crucifixion, when almost all of his other disciples fled. She was one of the women who stayed to observe the crucifixion (Matthew 27:56, John 19:25). And on Easter morning it was Mary Magdalene and the other Mary who went to Jesus’ tomb and were the first witnesses of his resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10, John 20:1-18), although their testimony was dismissed by the male disciples (Luke 24:1-11).
So although she was not Jesus’ wife, Mary Magdalene stands out as one of Jesus’ most devoted followers, who supported his ministry and bravely witnessed both his death and resurrection. She is a shining example of faithfulness and service to Christ despite facing stigma as a formerly demon-possessed woman.
Do the Gnostic Gospels Paint a Different Picture?
Some claim that alternate Gnostic gospels like the Gospel of Philip and Gospel of Mary portray a marital relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. However, these were written >100 years after the biblical gospels and contain vague esoteric sayings that offer no historical substance about Jesus’ marital status. They use metaphors of kissing, embracing and other intimate images that were common mystical analogies, not descriptions of literal physical relationships. The Gospel of Philip even states that Mary Magdalene symbolized Jesus’ “companion” because he had put away her demons – not because she was his wife.
Overall the Gnostic gospels align far more with Middle Platonism than historical Christianity. They portray Jesus as a detached mystic rather than a flesh-and-blood person. Four key of differences stand out between these Gnostic texts and the historical canonical gospels:
- The Gnostic gospels present Jesus as a spirit-being rather than incarnated flesh.
- Salvation in these Gnostics texts comes through secret knowledge rather than grace through faith.
- They make no reference to Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- None were written by authors who knew or followed the historical Jesus.
So in the end, the biblical gospels which unanimously present Jesus as single stand miles apart in nature and historical reliability from these later fictional imaginings in the gnostic texts.
Did Constantine Alter the Bible to Conceal Jesus’ Marriage?
The Da Vinci Code claims that the 4th century emperor Constantine altered the Bible in order to conceal evidence that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene. This claim simply does not match the facts of history. All manuscripts and historical evidence indicates the New Testament books were completed in the 1st century – over 200 years before Constantine. We have fragments of New Testament manuscripts like the John Rylands papyrus that date back to 120 AD – just a few decades after the originals.
The biblical canon (authorized books) was widely affirmed by Christian leaders and communities long before the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. What the Council did was formally recognize the canon already in use based on what had been handed down from the apostles (2 Thessalonians 2:15). They did not dictate or alter the Scriptures. We know this from extensive manuscript evidence that shows no tampering or editing over time. The Bible we have today faithfully represents what was penned by the original authors.
Should the Bible Be Viewed as Fiction?
Some have suggested The Da Vinci Code calls into question whether books like Matthew and John can be trusted as genuine eyewitness accounts. The Bible should not be lumped into the fiction category. The New Testament gospels give every indication of being firsthand accounts of Jesus’ life written within the lifetime of eyewitnesses.
Authors like Matthew and John talk of Jesus in vivid intimate terms and accurately reflect 1st century Jewish culture in Palestine. The books show no sign of mythologizing or embellishment that would be expected from much later fictionalization. And the authors report details like Jesus’ healing of Malchus’ ear after Peter cut it off (Luke 22:50-51, John 18:10) that serve no propaganda purpose and would have been omitted if fiction.
Unlike fictional legend which grows over time, the New Testament gospels contain no myths about magical feats by Jesus as a child or fantastical deeds during his ministry. The accounts align with known facts about the topography and architecture of Jerusalem, regional politics, and historical figures mentioned. And the writers display knowledge that only eyewitness testimony could provide.
The evidence backs up that the gospels are early biographical accounts of Jesus, not later fictional inventions. Respected scholars like Cambridge’s C.H. Dodd, have concluded that these biblical books represent true historical “primitive documentary” material originally linked directly to real events.
Why Does This Matter?
Discussion over Jesus’ marital status may seem trivial. Yet it goes to the heart of who He claimed to be. The Gospels present Jesus as the divine Son of God who took on human form, lived a sinless life, died sacrificially for our sins, and rose victoriously from the grave (John 1:1-14, Colossians 1:15-23, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22-24). He made radical claims to deity that if untrue would undermine the entire basis of Christian faith (John 5:18, John 8:58-59).
So the singular focus on Jesus’ spiritual mission rather than earthly family ties fits with His identity as the incarnate Son of God. He was not merely a great teacher and healer but the way and the life (John 14:6). He came to redeem people from sin and restore their relationship with God – not simply reform society (Luke 19:10). Jesus made His divine origins and purpose clear, “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38).
In the end, the controversies sparked by The Da Vinci Code tell us more about modern culture than ancient history. They show society’s ongoing fascination with undermining the biblical picture of Jesus. But when the evidence is examined closely, the New Testament accounts hold up well as authentic eye-witness history that deserves to be treated seriously rather than as fiction.