Did Jesus Have a Wife?

I recently came across an article in National Geographic magazine that raised the question of Jesus’ possible relationship with Mary Magdalene. Author Daniel Stone opens the article by asking readers “When he lived 2,000 years ago, could Jesus Christ have been married?” By posing a question first, Stone pulls readers in, perhaps even making them question their own religious beliefs. This question is therefore highly controversial, making it a powerful opening line.

Speculation regarding Jesus’ marital status emerged along with a tiny scrap of papyrus covered in Coptic writing (a language that uses Christian symbols). The second paragraph of the article concludes by describing the final sentence written on the papyrus, “And Jesus said, My Wife..." By ending the paragraph in such a dramatic way, the author baits readers into continuing to read. The open-ended sentence creates suspense and heightens reader curiosity. The words “my wife” raise concerns and questions as this contradicts the Catholic belief that Jesus was never married. Such a controversial topic is sure to engage readers.

Photograph courtesy Karen L. King           

The accompanying photograph of the papyrus scrap is simple. The plain white background makes the fraying edges and fading script stand out, accentuating the age of this note.

The article proceeds to describe how King, a Harvard professor, acquired the papyrus script from a private collector who, “for reasons that have not been made public had kept it hidden for several decades.” This sentence seems vague and adds mystery to the article. The words, “hidden for…decades” raise concerns over legitimacy, ownership, and make me question, WHY would someone keep this hidden for so long? Such questions could intrigue readers, making this article

The article uses quotes from different University Professors who discuss the importance of such a find. Bart Ehrman, a religious-studies expert at the University of North Carolina notes that, “if it is what it purports to be, then it's the first of its kind to show up.” A second professor, Additionally, Jitse Dijkstra, “a Coptic and papyrology expert at the University of Ottawa, called the papyrus fragment a ‘major advance.’” In my opinion, using quotes to show “expert opinions” strengthens assertions made by the author and makes the article appear more “legitimate.”

Finally, this article seems to be written in a language that is easy to comprehend and keeps readers interested. By raising controversial issues surrounding religion, providing a photograph to add context and referencing experts in the field, Stone has written a well-crafted, interesting article. This is an article that readers are likely to read in its entirety and then share with a friend.

Stone, Daniel. "Jesus May Have Had a Wife, Ancient Text Suggests." National Geographic 19 Sept. 2012:n. pag. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. <http://http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/09/120919coptic-jesus-christ-wife-papyrus-ancient- world-science/?source=hp_dl1_news_jesus_wife20120920>.