The Text of Secret Mark

So let us suppose that John survived his beheading. What happened then? To learn that we must turn to the text of Secret Mark.

"And they come into Bethany. And a certain woman whose brother had died was there. And, coming, she prostrated herself before Jesus and says to him, 'Son of David, have mercy on me.' But the disciples rebuked her. And Jesus, being angered, went off with her into the garden where the tomb was, and straightway a great cry was heard from the tomb. And going near Jesus rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb. And straightway, going in where the youth was, he stretched forth his hand and raised him, seizing his hand. But the youth, looking upon him, loved him and began to beseech him that he might be with him. And going out of the tomb they came into the house of the youth, for he was rich. And after six days Jesus told him what to do and in the evening the youth comes to him, wearing a linen cloth over his naked body. And he remained with him that night, for Jesus taught him the mystery of the kingdom of God. And thence, arising, he returned to the other side of the Jordan."

Jesus comes to Bethany. Bethany is where his father had his estate. Mary comes to Jesus and tells him that her brother is dead. John is her brother in that both she and John (and Jesus) had the same father. She asks him to help her brother. The other disciples tell her not to bother Jesus, but angrily Jesus goes to the tomb and rolls back the stone. John is overjoyed at being saved by Jesus, surely John had no idea that Jesus was behind his castration. Jesus sets to work healing his brother's wound.

And then after a week they set off. After they arrive at Jericho the secret text adds the following:

"And the sister of the youth whom Jesus loved and his mother and Salome were there, and Jesus did not receive them."

Mary and Salome wish to speak to Jesus regarding John. Once he was castrated he was technically theirs, Jesus healed him, which was fine, but then he took him, which was not. John was still perceived as a threat. He no longer threatened Jesus, but rather the entire Great Mother religion. They want to make sure that he doesn't get a chance to exact his revenge, but Jesus won't speak to them.