hidden revelation Gospel of Mary

**Chapter 5 — Mary Magdalene and the Hidden Teaching**

Chapter 5 of the text presents a striking moment in which Mary Magdalene appears as the disciple entrusted with knowledge not yet understood by the others. The scene unfolds after the Savior’s departure, when confusion and uncertainty remain among the disciples. In this setting Peter addresses Mary directly, acknowledging both her closeness to the Savior and her possession of teachings unknown to the others.

The text begins:

> 5. Peter said to Mary, Sister we know that the Savior loved you more than the rest of woman.

> 6. Tell us the words of the Savior which you remember which you know, but we do not, nor have we heard them.

> 7. Mary answered and said, What is hidden from you I will proclaim to you.

Peter’s words reveal two important elements. First, Mary held a special position among the followers even before the resurrection appearances. Second, Peter expects Mary to possess hidden instruction — teachings privately communicated and not yet shared with the group. His request is not confrontational but respectful; he addresses her as “Sister,” acknowledging both kinship and authority.

The statement that the Savior loved Mary more than the other women echoes a well-known saying preserved in another early Christian text, the *Gospel of Philip*. That work similarly presents Mary Magdalene as uniquely close to the Savior, not as a romantic partner, but as one able to perceive teachings that others struggled to understand.

The relevant passage reads:

> Wisdom, who is called barren, is the mother of the angels.

> The companion of the [savior] is Mary of Magdala. The [savior loved] her more than [all] the disciples, [and he] kissed her often on her [mouth].

> The other [disciples] [64]…said to him, “Why do you love her more than all of us?”

> The savior answered and said to them, “Why do I not love you like her? If a blind person and one who can see are both in darkness, they are the same. When the light comes, one who can see will see the light, and the blind person will stay in darkness.”

This explanation reframes favoritism as perception rather than preference. The Savior’s response suggests that Mary’s closeness results from understanding. When light appears, those capable of seeing recognize it; those unable remain in darkness even though the light is present to all. The distinction lies not in privilege but in perception.

Returning to Chapter 5, Peter’s appeal continues:

> 5 Peter said to Mary, "Sister, we know that the Savior loved you more than all other women.

This recognition establishes Mary as a legitimate bearer of memory and insight. The disciples acknowledge her authority because she retained teachings others did not grasp.

Peter then asks explicitly:

> 6 Tell us the words of the Savior that you remember, the things which you know that we don't because we haven't heard them."

> 7 Mary responded, "I will teach you about what is hidden from you." And she began to speak these words to them.

Mary does not hesitate. She agrees to share what has remained concealed. The emphasis on hidden knowledge reflects a common theme in early Christian mystical traditions: revelation unfolds progressively. Understanding comes to those prepared to receive it.

Mary’s role becomes that of teacher. She now transmits insight rather than merely recalling events. What follows is her account of a vision in which she encounters the Savior after his departure:

> 8. And she began to speak to them these words: I, she said, I saw the Lord in a vision and I said to Him, Lord I saw you today in a vision. He answered and said to me,

The vision introduces a mode of communication distinct from ordinary physical encounters. It is an experience of insight or perception beyond normal sensory experience. The Savior’s first response affirms Mary’s steadiness:

> 9. Blessed are you that you did not waver at the sight of Me. For where the mind is there is the treasure.

The emphasis here falls on the mind. Stability of mind allows recognition. The treasure is not located in physical possessions or external authority but in awareness itself. Where attention and understanding are directed, value appears.

Mary then raises a profound question concerning perception:

> 10. I said to Him, Lord, how does he who sees the vision see it, through the soul or through the spirit?

Her question seeks clarification about human perception. What faculty receives revelation? Is vision perceived through the animating principle, or through spiritual capacity?

The Savior answers:

> 11. The Savior answered and said, He does not see through the soul nor through the spirit, but the mind that is between the two that is what sees the vision and it is [...]

Unfortunately, much of the manuscript that follows is lost:

> (pages 11 - 14 are missing from the manuscript)

Yet even in fragmentary form, the message is clear. The mind occupies a mediating position between bodily life and spiritual awareness. Vision arises not simply from emotion or mystical abstraction, but from awakened understanding. Perception requires integration of inner faculties through awareness.

This teaching explains why Mary could receive instruction others missed. Her capacity lay not in status but in perception. She remained steady and attentive, allowing insight to form.

Chapter 5 therefore portrays Mary Magdalene not merely as a favored disciple but as a transmitter of understanding. Peter’s request acknowledges that some teachings remained hidden until the disciples were ready to hear them. Mary becomes the bridge between hidden revelation and communal understanding.

The connection with the *Gospel of Philip* reinforces this interpretation. Love is equated with recognition and perception. The Savior’s closeness to Mary reflects her capacity to perceive the light when it appeared. Others, though present, remained in darkness until understanding grew.

Thus the narrative emphasizes knowledge, awakening, and perception rather than hierarchy. Authority emerges through insight. Teaching flows from those who see clearly to those still learning.

Mary’s willingness to share what she has received demonstrates the movement from private revelation to communal instruction. What was hidden becomes spoken. What was known only to one becomes available to all willing to listen.

Even though parts of the manuscript are missing, Chapter 5 preserves a powerful scene: disciples seeking understanding, Mary serving as interpreter of revelation, and the Savior teaching that true vision arises through the awakened mind.

The chapter therefore stands as a testament to the importance of perception, memory, and teaching within early Christian communities. It reminds readers that understanding often appears first to those prepared to perceive it, and only later becomes shared knowledge for the wider community.

chapter 5

5) Peter said to Mary, Sister we know that the Savior loved you more than the rest of woman.

6) Tell us the words of the Savior which you remember which you know, but we do not, nor have we heard them.

7) Mary answered and said, What is hidden from you I will proclaim to you.

It seems from the words of Peter that Mary played a special role even before the resurrection and Peter now asks Mary for a hidden revelation

5  Peter said to Mary, "Sister, we know that the Savior loved you more than all other women. 

the statement that the Messiah loved Mary more than than the rest of woman seems to link it to the saying in the Gospel of Philip that he loved her more than all other disciple

The Gospel of Philip Wisdom and Mary of Magdala

Wisdom, who is called barren, is the mother of the angels.
The companion of the [savior] is Mary of Magdala. The [savior loved] her more than [all] the disciples, [and he] kissed her often on her [mouth].
The other [disciples] [64]…said to him, “Why do you love her more than all of us?”
The savior answered and said to them, “Why do I not love you like her? If a blind person and one who can see are both in darkness, they are the same. When the light comes, one who can see will see the light, and the blind person will stay in darkness.”

6 Tell us the words of the Savior that you remember, the things which you know that we don't because we haven't heard them."

7  Mary responded, "I will teach you about what is hidden from you." And she began to speak these words to them.

Mary now declares her willingness to impart this special teaching too