The Bible might seem like a complete and comprehensive work, but it actually has gone through a number of heavy revisions over the centuries. The most notable shift to the text happened after Martin Luther inadvertently caused the Protestant Reformation in roughly 1517. Luther had many books taken out of the Bible that he viewed were too outlandish or contradictory. However, most of these texts still exist to this day and can be easily read by those who are curious. Review these examples to learn about some of the most intriguing cut tales from the Bible.

Judas and Jesus Working Together

A handful of the books that were removed from or never added to the Bible are often referred to collectively as the Gnostic Gospels. One of the most captivating of these books is the “Gospel of Judas.” Christians and secular individuals alike are aware that Judas was the follower who betrayed Jesus to the Romans and led to his crucifixion and, in turn, his eventual rebirth. While the story kept in the Bible showcases that Jesus is aware of Judas’ betrayal and allows it to happen, one removed story tells a very different story.

In the “Gospel of Judas,” Jesus and Judas take a walk together before the Last Supper and discuss the upcoming betrayal. This tale has the two working together, with Jesus telling Judas his actions are necessary for the Resurrection. However, Jesus also tells him that the betrayal will cause Judas to be hated and vilified by generations of followers. Whatever the real story might be, the story of Jesus would not be complete without the actions of Judas.

The Mystery of the Book of Mary

There are a number of noteworthy women named Mary in the Bible. The most notable is Mary the Mother of Jesus. Also crucial to the story of Jesus is Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus who is mentioned more than any other woman aside from Jesus’ family members and who witnessed the Crucifixion directly. The “Book of Mary” is a gospel that was removed from the Bible that basically recounts the adult life and teachings of Jesus. It is highly believed that the book was authored by and focused around Mary Magdalene, though scholars have debated this.

There are many parallels between the focal character of the “Book of Mary” and the portrayal of Mary Magdalene in the Bible. For one, Peter makes snide remarks in both this book and the official Gospels of the Bible about Mary’s input being less valuable because of her gender. Academics also believe this book to be authored by Mary Magdalene because of her prominent role in other gnostic texts like the “Gospel of Thomas,” “Gospel of Philip,” and “Dialogue of the Savior.” Whether or not she wrote the book, Mary Magdalene is viewed as a saint by many Christian denominations.

Who Is Pistis Sophia?

Many of the removed books from the Bible refer to Pistis Sophia. While not considered a human in the literal sense, many academics agree that Pistis Sophia is supposed to represent the feminine aspects of God. She is also said to be a primordial being centered around the idea of knowledge. While mentioned many times in the gnostic stories, Pistis Sophia is only mentioned in an indirect way in the finished Bible. A quote in the “Book of Proverbs” refers to Pistis Sophia as living in a house of wisdom.

Learn About the Unknown

There are hundreds of books that are associated with the Bible while not actually being a part of the finished text. By diving into the details of these tales, you can gain insight into how truly deep and wild some of the origins of Christianity can be.