Who do you think is the most misunderstood person in the Bible? Is it Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene, or another figure in Scripture? Share your insights on Crosswalk Forums. #BibleQuestions#MaryMagdalene#JesusChrist#Crosswalk
I recently saw a post about Mary Magdalene being “the most misunderstood person in the Bible”. While I do believe that the world’s view of Mary M is very misinformed, the most misunderstood person in the Bible is, in my opinion, undoubtedly Jesus. Believers know who Mary M is, what she did, and what she believed. Jesus, on the other hand, is constantly misinterpreted by His own followers. What do you think? Who is the most misunderstood person in the Bible?
I think one of the most misunderstood people in the Bible is St. Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. History and tradition often overlook her, reducing her to a simple worshipper or background figure, but she demonstrates a depth of faith, courage, and insight that few others show. She chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn, prioritizing spiritual understanding over busyness or appearances. She boldly anointed Him with expensive perfume, an act that foreshadowed His burial, showing devotion and prophetic insight. St. Mary of Bethany reminds us that some of the most influential and spiritually perceptive figures were quietly revolutionary, often ignored or misunderstood by society and even by the Church.
My favorite quote from my grandmother’s journal: “I want to make a difference in the world in the small dot I inhabit, by reflecting Christ. I want people to be drawn to Him by His love flowing through me. I want to be in the center of God’s will so He can use me as He sees fit. Recently, I’ve also been realizing that I’m not only here to serve Him and others, but also to fellowship with Him and praise Him. I don’t really have a good handle on this yet because I’m much more a Martha than a Mary, but I desire to do better. At the end of my life I want God to be able to say 'Well done…”
You’re right, the faith and insight it shows to just pause and prioritize being with Christ. Ever since I found this quote of my grandmother’s I have admired St. Mary of Bethany and desired to not only deepen my faith in the way she demonstrates, but also to find Biblical figures who were “quietly revolutionary” as you say. Thank you for sharing! I’ll definitely be looking into more info on her.
How this lands for me is more of a reminder than an argument: Jesus has long been misunderstood, and yet He keeps revealing Himself with patient truth. He invites Thomas close to the wounds, restores Peter after failure, and receives Martha’s confession in grief. That steadiness is hopeful; it points the way forward. Fix our eyes on Him, let Scripture clarify our picture, answer with grace, and keep walking in simple obedience.
Totally agree with shalom . The answer is Jesus.
Now i think the most misunderstood story in the bible is Lazarus and the richman . i am thinking about making a thread about that .
Uzzah was one of three sons of Abinidab, and the eldest brother, Eleazar had been “consecrated” to oversee and guard the Ark. (1 Sam 7:1) Twenty years later, Eleazar is not mentioned as one of the sons who helped to move it; only Uzzah and Ahio were driving the cart (driving the animals that pulled it); Ahio out front, and Uzzah in back. Remember, the Ark of the Covenant had been in Uzzah’s house for twenty years, in the “house on the hill”, in the renowned “City of Forests”.
Did Uzzah get complacent, or over-confident in his own importance? Did he lose his respect or awe for the Ark?
So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark. Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the LORD on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals. And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God. And David became angry because of the LORD’S outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day. David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” So David would not move the ark of the LORD with him into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months. And the LORD blessed Obed-Edom and all his household. 2 Samuel 6:3-11
Where is The Ark of The Covenant (testimony) now? Where does God place His presence today in a chosen vessel of testimony? Spoiler alert: (It’s you, Matt. 5:14). Hmmm…
