Robert Langdon, #2
The Da Vinci Code
by Dan Brown
Contents
CHAPTER 58
Overview
In Teabing’s study, Sophie receives the fullest explanation yet of Teabing and Langdon’s Grail theory: the Grail is Mary Magdalene, portrayed beside Jesus in The Last Supper. Teabing links Da Vinci’s symbols, Gnostic texts, and genealogy to the claim that Jesus and Mary were married and had a child.
The chapter transforms the Grail from an object into a concealed bloodline, raising the stakes of Saunière’s clues and the cryptex. Sophie’s memories of her grandfather also suggest that Saunière had long been connected to these controversial ideas.
Summary
Teabing leads Sophie and Langdon into his enormous converted ballroom study, a crowded workspace filled with books, artifacts, technology, and research materials. Sophie, still trying to understand Teabing’s claim that the Holy Grail is a woman, asks to see the image he mentioned. Teabing points to an enlarged print of The Last Supper.
Sophie initially sees only the familiar image of Jesus and the disciples, but Teabing and Langdon direct her attention to the figure seated at Jesus’ right. Sophie realizes the figure appears female. Teabing identifies the figure as Mary Magdalene and argues that the Church falsely recast her as a prostitute to conceal her importance.
Teabing presents visual evidence from the painting: Jesus and Mary Magdalene wear mirrored colors, the space between them forms a V associated with the chalice and womb, and their combined shapes suggest a large letter M. Langdon supports Teabing’s broader argument by noting that Jesus, as a Jewish man of his time, would likely have been expected to marry.
Teabing then shows Sophie passages from the Gnostic Gospels, including the Gospel of Philip, which he says refers to Mary Magdalene as Jesus’ companion, meaning spouse. Sophie remembers a childhood incident in which an angry priest confronted Jacques Saunière over Saunière’s defense of allowing public discussion of Jesus and Mary Magdalene in art and film.
Teabing continues with the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, arguing that Peter resented Mary because Jesus intended her, not Peter, to carry on his Church. Langdon points back to The Last Supper, where Peter appears to threaten Mary and where an anonymous hand holds a dagger, reinforcing the idea of hostility toward her.
Finally, Teabing explains why Mary Magdalene would be the Grail: he claims she was of the royal House of Benjamin and that Jesus was of the House of David. Their marriage would unite two royal lines, and their child would carry Jesus’ bloodline. Teabing concludes that the Sangreal is literally Sang Real, or royal blood.
Who Appears
- Sophie NeveuReceives Teabing’s Grail explanation and connects it to memories of her grandfather.
- Sir Leigh TeabingPresents his theory that Mary Magdalene was the Grail and bore Jesus’ bloodline.
- Robert LangdonSupports Teabing’s interpretation with symbolic, historical, and artistic context.
- Jacques SaunièreAppears in Sophie’s memory as defending open discussion of Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
- Mary MagdaleneCentral subject of Teabing’s claims; identified as Jesus’ wife, heir, and Holy Grail.
- Jesus ChristDiscussed as Mary Magdalene’s alleged husband and father of a royal bloodline.
- PeterPortrayed in Teabing’s explanation as jealous of Mary Magdalene’s authority.
- The angry priestAppears in Sophie’s childhood memory protesting Saunière’s published opinion.