or


[09/18/12 - 10:46 AM]
"The Gospel of Jesus's Wife" Premieres September 30 on Smithsonian Channel
Dr. Karen King, the Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School, unveiled her findings today at the Tenth International Congress of Coptic Studies in Rome.

[via press release from Smithsonian Channel]

SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL EXCLUSIVELY PRESENTS THE STORY BEHIND DISCOVERY OF ANCIENT TEXT IN WHICH JESUS SPEAKS OF "MY WIFE"

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS'S WIFE WORLD PREMIERE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 AT 8PM ET/PT

Harvard Divinity School Professor Dr. Karen King Announced Findings Today In Rome To A Conference Of Leading Coptic Scholars

New York, NY - September 18, 2012 - It was announced today that a team of scholars has confirmed that a fourth century codex written in the ancient Egyptian Coptic language refers to the wife of Jesus. This is the first reference to Jesus being married that has been found in an ancient text, and while it is not evidence of the historical Jesus, it suggests some early Christians believed Jesus had a wife. Dr. Karen King, the Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School, unveiled her findings today at the Tenth International Congress of Coptic Studies in Rome. Smithsonian Channel will detail for the first time Dr. King's findings in the world premiere of the one-hour special THE GOSPEL OF JESUS'S WIFE on Sunday, September 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

One of the world's most respected historians of early Christianity and holder of the oldest endowed chair in the United States, Dr. King is one of the few who understand the Coptic language. Earlier this year, a collector who wishes to remain anonymous, came to Dr. King at Harvard University with a fragment of papyrus that may have been excavated from an area in Upper Egypt. The fragment, while damaged and difficult to decipher, clearly bears the line, "Jesus said to them, my wife..."

Dr. King initially suspected the papyrus could possibly be a fake. She took it to a papyrologist, Dr. Roger Bagnall of New York University, who judged that the physical condition of the papyrus and the ink provide forensic proof of its age. By comparing the fragment with other early Christian literature, Dr. King has argued that the original composition of the Gospel of Jesus's Wife could have been from as early as the second half of the second century, which would mean that this story circulated among early Christians for well over a century.

Based on its condition, Dr. King and her colleagues suspect the papyrus of the Gospel of Jesus's wife may have been salvaged from an ancient garbage heap, or it may have been found in a burial site and perhaps cut from a larger page in order to produce more pieces for sale. According to Dr. King, this small fragment of ancient Christian text does not offer proof that Jesus was married, but Dr. King believes the discovery will raise questions currently debated by modern Christians, such as the role of women in the church.

While some Gnostic Gospels have hinted at a special relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene, the discovery casts new light on Mary, who in some Christian interpretations had been considered a prostitute. The question of who Mary Magdalene was and what role she played with respect to Jesus has been a constant source of debate.

"Smithsonian Channel is thrilled to be at the forefront of such an important discovery; this is truly a fascinating story of huge public interest," said David Royle, Executive Vice President for Production and Programming. "We are a growing destination for new discoveries and were granted exclusive access to produce this documentary. It is a great source of pride that prominent academics are entrusting us with their stories."

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS'S WIFE is produced for Smithsonian Channel by Blink Films. Executive Producers for Smithsonian Channel are David Royle and Charles Poe. Series Producer is Dan Oliver, Director is Andy Webb.

ABOUT SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL

Smithsonian Channel is a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, formed to create a network featuring programs largely inspired by the assets of the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex. Smithsonian Channel features award-winning original documentaries, series, and groundbreaking programs highlighting America's historical, cultural and scientific heritage. Smithsonian Channel brings the American experience home in high definition and Dolby Digital 5.1 and is available to customers of DirecTV, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Cablevision, Verizon, AT&T, and more. Learn more at www.smithsonianchannel.com.





  [september 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[10/24/25 - 02:30 PM]
Video: First Look at Upcoming New Drama "Memory of a Killer" Starring Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperioli - Premiering This January on FOX
Dempsey stars as a hitman, Angelo Doyle, leading a dangerous double life while hiding an even deadlier personal secret - he has developed early onset Alzheimer's.

[10/24/25 - 02:02 PM]
"20/20" Is Friday's Most-Watched Newsmagazine Across the Board
In addition, "20/20" posted its best Adults 25-54 in more than four months.

[10/24/25 - 02:01 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 Across the Board, Leading NBC in All Key Demos for the 4th Straight Week
"Nightline" grew year to year across the board: Total Viewers, Adults 25-54, and Adults 18-49.

[10/24/25 - 01:05 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Makes Television History - Rising for Fifth Straight Week
The October 21 episode scored 6.63 million Total Viewers and a 1.38 rating among Adults 18-49, hitting new season highs in both demographics.

[10/24/25 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix Announces "Hollywood Arts," A Brand-New Spinoff of Hit Live-Action, "Victorious," with Daniella Monet Returning as Star and Executive Producer
The series is set to debut on Netflix in 2026, followed by releases on Nickelodeon and Paramount+.

[10/24/25 - 07:14 AM]
FOX Sports Readies for Major League Baseball's 121st World Series Presented by Capital One
Action leads off Friday, October 24, between the National League and current reigning World champion Los Angeles Dodgers and American League champion Toronto Blue Jays from Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada, on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App and FOX One.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind" Season 9: The Reunion - Official Trailer - Netflix
Denver singles shake up their search for "the one" and step into the pods, braving twists, turns and love triangles to find their soulmate sight unseen.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Experience the Family, the Fun, and the Fantastic! Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" Lands Exclusively on Disney+ November 5
Continuing the celebration of Marvel's First Family, the announcement was made live from SpaceCon 2025 in San Antonio, where The Fantastic Four: First Steps Immersive Pop-Up Experience invites attendees to step inside the iconic Baxter Building.

[10/24/25 - 06:00 AM]
The CW Network and Xfinity Celebrate 11 Years of the NASCAR Xfinity Series by Presenting the Third Stage of the Championship Race Commercial-Free
Taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, November 1, the commercial-free stage presented by Xfinity was created to thank the loyal race fans who have supported the NASCAR Xfinity Series for more than a decade - helping the series grow through their unwavering enthusiasm, increased viewership, and continued trackside attendance.

[10/23/25 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "As You Stood By" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When two women plot to end an abusive marriage through murder, an unexpected visitor arrives - threatening to shatter everything they've carefully planned.

[10/23/25 - 02:33 PM]
Largest Audience for "NBA Tip-Off" Doubleheader Since 2010 as NBA Returned to NBC and Debuted on Peacock
Tuesday night's audience across NBC and Peacock peaked at 7.1 million viewers from 10:45-11 p.m. ET as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to a one-point win over the Houston Rockets in double overtime.

[10/23/25 - 02:28 PM]
The 305 Just Got Hotter: "Love & Hip Hop: Miami" Moves to BET Season 7 Premieres Tuesday, November 4 at 8 PM ET/PT
The upcoming seventh season dives deeper than ever into Miami's thriving entertainment scene, following a cast of stars who are rebuilding, rebranding, and redefining success in real time.

[10/23/25 - 01:30 PM]
Critically Acclaimed Noir Thriller, "Dark Winds," to Return to AMC and AMC+ Sunday, February 15
The series' gripping fourth season focuses on the search for a missing Navajo girl, which takes Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito from the safety of Navajo Nation to the gritty terrain of 1970s Los Angeles in a race against the clock to save her from an obsessive killer with ties to organized crime.

[10/23/25 - 12:01 PM]
Video: BET+ Releases Trailer for Horror Film "A Demon's Revenge"
In the film, following the bloodshed in Belize, Peaches, played by Jhoné Lucas, delves deeper into Caribbean folklore and the terrifying truth that lurks beneath.

[10/23/25 - 12:00 PM]
FOX Entertainment Acquires Equity Stake in Chain, Forging Strategic Partnership with Experiential Food Phenomenon Co-Founded by B.J. Novak
Included in the investment is a first look development deal through Chain Media.