# Mary Magdalene explained — Jesus the Son of Man

> Chapter companion for Jesus the Son of Man by Kahlil Gibran.

## What happens

Mary Magdalene recounts her first encounters with Jesus, describing how she was initially struck by his unique presence and later drawn to him. She confesses her past as a woman possessed by seven devils and explains how Jesus's profound love for her inner self, rather than her fading beauty, transformed her, making her feel truly seen and whole.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humanity and Divinity of Jesus

Mary is struck by Jesus's physical beauty and unique manner of walking, while his words and gaze reveal a profound, divine understanding of her soul.

### Love and Forgiveness

Jesus's love is contrasted with that of other men; he loves Mary for her inner self, not for her fading beauty, offering a transformative and redemptive love.

### Social Justice and the Marginalized

Mary's past as a woman possessed by seven devils and called a harlot highlights her marginalized status, which Jesus sees beyond, offering her dignity and a new identity.

## Character check-ins

### Mary Magdalene

The narrator, reflecting on her transformation from a woman possessed by seven devils to a woman who found herself through Jesus's love.

### Jesus

The object of Mary's initial hatred and later devotion, whose unique walk and profound words reveal his divine nature and love for her unseen self.

## Key lines

> I was a woman who had divorced her soul. I was living apart from this self which you now see. I belonged to all men, and to none.

I was completely disconnected from my own true self, living a life that wasn't mine. I was with everyone but truly belonged to no one.

_Mary describes her state of spiritual alienation and lack of identity before her encounter with Jesus._

> I alone love the unseen in you.

I am the only one who loves the part of you that no one else can see.

_Jesus articulates his unique love for Mary's inner being, as opposed to the superficial love she receives from others._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jesus_the_son_of_man_se/chapters/mary-magdalene
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jesus_the_son_of_man_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jesus_the_son_of_man_se/chapters