How the Gospels got their attributions...

[davidmartin]

goods points, but its obvious to me the disciple Jesus loves is Magdalene and the redactor probably changed it from Mary at these points, but didn't scrub out all the pieces. This would indicate an earlier tradition where she plays more of a role than she does already (a notable role), so even after these mods one can still see it.
i propose Mary sits somewhere between gnostic and orthodox at an earlier phase of the tradition before these camps emerged. Why they mention her is the transition to the later phases initially had to keep her in as she was known. And they kind of pay homage but then go off in their own directions. The hint that she was influential prior to the Peters and Pauls is not allowed, because heck, then there's an earlier and more legitimate tradition. So you see, they're kind of admitting that, but saying they are that tradition. In a way, what is Paul? He plays the role of confidant, theologian and intimate disciple to replace an older version of that.