Rediscovering Salome

Salome was a respected disciple, Joan says. More than that, historical and archaeological evidence shows she was revered in a way that saints were normally revered in the early church. Evidence also shows that women held positions of responsibility and leadership in the early church.

The presentation was based on archaeological findings explored by Professor Taylor and her friend and colleague, Helen Bond. Joan holds a PhD in Christian Holy Places and along with her friend Helen produced a documentary, Jesus’ Female Disciples. Their research included visiting a cave that was excavated in 1982. They discovered the cave had ancient Christian symbolism and inscriptions on the walls. Joan said it was the most incredible place. “No one knew about it. In terms of tradition, it was completely forgotten. Here was this beautiful underground chapel dedicated to Salome.” There was a proclamation - a request for blessing - as you get from a Saint, ‘Saint Salome, have mercy on Zacharias of Cyrillos. Amen.’ The female form of Lord - Kuria - usually used for the mother of Jesus was used to refer to Salome.”

What is important about this cave?

On the walls of the cave there were crosses all around - all blackened - indicating the worshippers had little lamps burning. “The soot from the lamps is still there,” Joan says. The cave would have also been a tomb. There were places for bone boxes at the back of the cave, and it is likely early Christians found the name Salome and venerated it.

In December 2022 the world's media took the story up, suggesting the tomb was that of the midwife who delivered Jesus. Popular publications claimed the cave was found in a forest in Jerusalem. Both claims were untrue. The Israel Antiquities Authority went in and excavated the exterior; a task Joan and Helen had hoped would be given to them.

“What they did find there was a structure outside the cave,” Joan says. This showed there was a Christian building outside and from the remains of pottery found, it was deduced that it might have been a pottery shop. Joan disagrees: “Far more likely this was a monastery. A little monastery with a cave chapel at the back.” The lamps would have been taken into the cave for prayer and worship.

The idea of Salome as a midwife present at Jesus' birth evidently took hold in the second century as part of an imaginative retelling of the nativity story. There is no historical evidence for this idea.

“You have to be a bit more special to be a saint in the early church,” Joan says.

Salome is mentioned on her own in Mark 15 in the New Testament telling of the crucifixion (verses 40-41). “She is so famous.” Joan says. “She didn’t have to be added to a description.”

“There were women also looking from a distance…” Salome is mentioned here. All the rest of the story in Mark and Matthew is based on the witness of the women. More men were added to the story in Luke and John.

Another mention in Mark 16, “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, and took them to anoint the body of Jesus.” This indicates their closeness to Jesus.

Salome is edited out in Matthew’s telling of the resurrection story. “Luke omits her name. John omits her name.”

However, Salome is mentioned in many places, Joan says. The non-canonical Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of the Egyptians and Psalms of Thomas show her as a teacher, and many others do the same. Later it became common practice to cut texts that showed women in leadership. In the fourth century a huge shift in beliefs ruled out women being leaders - an editing out of previous manuscripts. Many of our manuscripts come from the fourth century. Joan emphasizes, “To reconstruct real women we must engage in careful strategies when interpreting scripture.”

The evidence of Salome as an important disciple of Jesus is strong, and the discovery of the cave is considerable supporting evidence. “Here is Salome recorded on her own.” As well as the cave and early texts, there is also art showing women in leadership in first century Christianity.

This interesting presentation shared new evidence of the role of women in the early church. If you would like to find out more, Joan has a very strong presence online. Search under Joan E. Taylor.

[LW1]Not sure if this is what the writer intends.

Could be “and many other roles” ??