The orthodox view is that Peter was the leader of the twelve disciples and head of the Church. But the early Christian writings discovered in 1945 tell a different story - that Mary Magdalene was the beloved disciple who had more authority than Peter. This is also supported by Biblical facts. In John 13:23-26, the beloved disciple is "resting on bosom of Jesus" while Peter must petition the beloved disciple to ask Jesus a question for him. In John 18:15-16, the beloved disciple has access to the high priest's palace while Peter does not. In John 20:2-10, the beloved disciple immediately believes in Jesus' resurrection while Peter and the rest of the disciples do not understand what's going on. In John 21:7, the beloved disciple is the only one who recognizes the risen Christ while he speaks from the shore to the disciples on their fishing boat. In John 21:20-23, Peter jealously asks Jesus about the fate of the beloved disciple. Even more struggles between Peter and Mary are recorded in the newly discovered writings.
These writings portray Peter as being jealous of the revelations that Mary received from the risen Christ. For example, the Gospel of Thomas describes Peter as saying: "Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of life." In the Gospel of Philip, the favorable relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene is contrasted with Jesus' relationship with the rest of the disciples. Similar examples of Mary Magdalene being favored by Jesus over Peter can be found in the Gospel of the Egyptians and Pistis Sophia. These texts also describe Peter rejecting the authority of women to teach.
The Gospel of Mary describes Mary Magdalene as Jesus' beloved disciple who possessed and taught superior knowledge than the public orthodox tradition had.
The Gospel of Thomas records a very interesting promise made to Peter by Jesus. He is promised that Jesus will lead Mary Magdalene in order to "make her male so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the Kingdom of Heaven." This seemingly strange comment can only be understood in the context of Jesus teaching the one-ness of all things which can be found throughout these writings.
In the Acts of Philip, Jesus praises Mary Magdalene for her manly character. Because of this he gives her the task of joining the weaker Philip on his mission journey - but not as a woman. "As for you, Mary," Jesus says, "change your clothing and your outward appearance: reject everything which from the outside suggests a woman." This shows how society in those days generally rejected the authority of women.
In the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary, and the Pistis Sophia, Peter is described as denying Mary Magdalene's closeness to Jesus. These writings give Mary Magdalene a special position. In the Gospel of Philip and the Gospel of Mary, she is the only person to whom the other disciples refer to as the one loved by Jesus more than the others and as the one who has a greater insight.
The Gospel of Philip states: "And the companion of the Savior is Mary Magdalene. But Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on her mouth. The rest of the disciples were offended] by it [and expressed disapproval]. They 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? When a blind man and one who sees are both together in darkness, they are no different from one another. When the light comes, then he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will remain in darkness."
The Gospel of Philip states: "There were three who always walked with the Lord: Mary his mother and her sister and Magdalene, the one who was called his companion." His sister and his mother and his companion were each named Mary.
These passages establish the fact that Christian Gnostics believed Mary Magdalene to be the "beloved disciple" and the companion of the Lord. She is repeatedly singled out as the disciple whom Jesus loved the most.
