Name:Nate •
Title: CAPSULE VERSION OF EVIDENCE THAT JESUS WAS MARRIED •
Date posted: 05/21/07 2:29
Q: There is indeed significant NT evidence that Jesus was married. The term “rabboni” is the diminutive form of "rabbi." Rabboni was an intimate term of endearment that only the wife of a rabbi would use in addressing a rabbi. Mary Magdalene addressed Jesus as "rabboni" in the Gospel of John, in the scene in the Garden of Gethsemane. Also, when Jesus said to Mary in the Garden of Gethsemane “Touch me not” the Koine Greek word for “touch” is “hapto” and it means “ignite a fire” in a number of its NT usages. (Luke 8:16, 11:33, 15:8, Acts 28:2) Is this a reference to igniting the fires of sexual desire through touch? It’s certainly possible.
The behavior of Jesus and his mother Maria at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee makes no sense at all unless it was his wedding. Wedding guests did not concern themselves with whether or not the wine had run out. Only the mother of the groom would assume such duties. Note also that the name of the groom is not given in the story of the wedding in Cana. However, Jesus is prominently displayed, and when the Master of Ceremonies thanks the groom for the excellent wine he addresses his comment to Jesus!
Furthermore, Jesus is again and again addressed as “Rabbi” in the gospels and nowhere is there any indication this was a mere “honorific.” I have consulted by email and by phone with Jewish rabbis and have been told there was no such thing as an honorary rabbi. Mainstream Christians try to turn the fact that Jesus was a rabbi into a mere “honorific” because ALL RABBIS WERE REQUIRED TO BE MARRIED MEN! Not merely “expected” to be married men but REQUIRED. So, anyone you hear droning and intoning “There is no evidence in the New Testament that Jesus was married” is just plain ignorant or lying.
