The Protoevangelium of James
This is a very famous, widely read, and frequently copied text, possessing no less than 150 manuscripts. The first edition of the Greek text was published in 1564, but before that, in 1552, the Jesuit Guillaume Postel had already published a Latin version of the text. A fundamental edition is that of C. Tisctendorf in 1853, which utilized 18 manuscripts. It can be supposed that the work, in its current form, dates back to around the year 200. Scholars have suggested as places of origin Egypt, due to the language’s affinity with Coptic, according to Erbetta, or Syria or Egypt, according to Norelli. See also the Bodmer papyral version proposed on another page of this collection.The Nativity of Mary, Holy Mother of God and Most Glorious Mother of Jesus ChristAccording to the stories of the twelve tribes of Israel, there was a certain Joachim, very rich. He made his offerings in double measure, saying: “What is superfluous for me will be for the people, and what is due for the remission of my sins will be for the Lord, as expiation on my behalf.”The great day of the Lord arrived, and the children of Israel offered their offerings. Reuben presented himself before the Lord, stating: “It is not for you to offer first, for in Israel you had no offspring.”Joachim was deeply saddened and went to the records of the twelve tribes of Israel, saying: “I wish to consult the records of the twelve tribes of Israel to see if I am the only one who had no offspring in Israel.” He searched and found that in Israel all the righteous had offspring. Then he remembered the patriarch Abraham, to whom God had given a son, Isaac, on his last day.Joachim was very saddened and no longer visited his wife. He retired to the desert, pitched his tent there, and fasted for forty days and forty nights, saying to himself: “I will not descend for food or drink until the Lord visits me. My prayer will be my food and drink.”His wife, meanwhile, uttered two laments and wept, saying: “I will mourn as a widow and I will weep as a woman without children.”The great day of the Lord arrived, and Judith, his servant, said to him: “Why do you continue to grieve? Here is the headband that the mistress of the house gave me. I am not allowed to wear it, for I am a servant, and it has a royal mark.”Anna replied: “Get away from me. I do not do these things. God has troubled me greatly. Perhaps a wicked spirit has given you this, and you have come to make me share in your sin.” Judith retorted: “What curse could I lay on you, that the Lord, who made your womb, should not give you fruit in Israel?”Anna became very distressed.She took off her mourning clothes, washed her head, put on her wedding garments, and around the ninth hour, she went down to walk in the garden. Seeing an olive tree, she sat down at its foot and prayed to the Lord, saying: “O God of our fathers, bless me and hear my supplication, as you blessed Sarah’s womb and gave her a son, Isaac.”Gazing at the sky, she saw a nest of sparrows in the olive tree, and she composed a lament in her heart, saying: “Woe is me! Who has generated me? Who has given birth to me? I have become a curse among the children of Israel, I have been insulted and driven out of the temple of the Lord with scorn.”“Woe is me! To whom do I resemble? I am not like the birds of the sky, for even the birds of the sky are fruitful before you, Lord. Woe is me! To whom do I resemble? I am not like the beasts of the earth, for even the beasts of the earth are fruitful before you, Lord. Woe is me! To whom do I resemble?”“I am not like these waters, for even these waters are fruitful before you, O Lord. Woe is me! To whom do I resemble? I am certainly not like this earth, for this earth bears fruit according to the seasons, and you bless it, O Lord.”Then, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to her, saying: “Anna, Anna. The Lord has heard your prayer. You will conceive and give birth, and your descendants will be spoken of throughout the land.” Anna replied: “As surely as lives the Lord, my God, if I give birth, whether a son or a daughter, I will dedicate him as a vow to the Lord, my God, and he will serve him all the days of his life.”Behold, two angels came to her, saying: “Your husband Joachim is returning with his flocks.” An angel of the Lord descended to him and said: “Joachim, Joachim. The Lord has heard your persistent prayer. Go down from here. Behold, Anna, your wife, will conceive in her womb.”Joachim went down and summoned his shepherds, saying: “Bring me ten unblemished sheep and lambs for the Lord, my God. Bring also twelve young bulls for the priests and the council of elders, and a hundred goats for the people.”Behold, Joachim arrived with his flocks. Anna was at the door, and when she saw Joachim coming, she ran to meet him and threw herself around his neck, exclaiming: “Now I know that the Lord God has blessed me greatly. The widow is no longer a widow, and the barren woman will conceive in her womb.” On the first day, Joachim rested in his house.The next day, he presented his offerings, saying to himself: “If the Lord God is favorable to me, the priest’s sword will indicate it.” When he presented his offerings, Joachim looked at the priest’s sword. As the priest ascended the altar of the Lord, Joachim did not see any guilt in himself, and he exclaimed: “Now I know that the Lord is favorable to me and has forgiven all my sins.”He left the temple of the Lord, justified, and returned home.5, 2 Meanwhile, the months of her pregnancy were completed. In the ninth month, Anna gave birth, and to the midwife she said, “What have I borne?” The midwife answered, “A daughter.” “On this day,” said Anna, “my spirit has been exalted,” and she laid the child down. After the purification period, Anna nursed her daughter and named her Mary.6, 1 The child grew stronger day by day, and when she was six months old, her mother set her on her feet to see if she would stand. She took seven steps back to her mother’s lap, who took her and said, “As surely as the Lord, my God, lives, this child shall not walk on the earth until I bring her to the temple of the Lord.” So in her house, she made a sanctuary, and she did not allow anything unclean or profane to pass through her hands. To entertain her, she called her spotless daughters from the choir of the cherubim.6, 2 When the child was one year old, Joachim held a great feast, inviting priests, scribes, the council of elders, and all the people of Israel. He presented the child to the priests, who blessed her, saying, “God of our fathers, bless this child and give her a noble name that will be renowned through all generations.” And all the people exclaimed, “So be it, so be it. Amen.” He also presented her to the high priests, who blessed her, saying, “God of the heights, look upon this child and bless her with the last blessing, after which there is none other.”6, 4 Then her mother took her back to the sanctuary in her room and nursed her. Anna then sang a hymn to the Lord God, saying, “I will sing a hymn to the Lord, my God, for he has visited me and taken away the opprobrium of my enemies. The Lord has given me a fruit of justice, a unique and abundant one before him. Who will tell the children of Reuben that Anna is nursing? Hear, hear, twelve tribes of Israel: Anna is nursing.” She laid her down in the sanctuary of her room and went out to serve them at table. After the feast, they departed with glad hearts, glorifying God of Israel.7, 1 The months passed, and when the child was two years old, Joachim said to Anna, “To fulfill the promise made, let us take her to the temple of the Lord, so that the Lord will not turn against us and our offering will not be displeasing.” Anna replied, “Let us wait until she is three years old, so that the child will not feel the absence of her father and mother.” Joachim answered, “Let us wait.”7, 2 When the child was three years old, Joachim said, “Let us take the spotless ribbons of the cherubim. Each one take a burning torch and keep it burning, so that the child will not look back and her heart will not be drawn away from the temple of the Lord.” They did so until they ascended to the temple of the Lord.The priest welcomed them, and after kissing them, he blessed them, exclaiming: “The Lord has exalted your name in all generations. On the last day, the Lord will manifest his redemption in you to the children of Israel.” (Luke 1:30-31)Then he had them sit on the third step of the altar, and the Lord God bestowed his grace upon them. And they danced with their feet, and all the house of Israel began to love them.(Luke 1:33)When the sacrifice was offered, Joseph went out to meet them. They gathered together and went to the high priest, carrying the staffs. Taking all their staffs, he entered the temple to pray. After his prayer, he took the staffs, went out, and returned them, and there was no sign on them. Joseph took the last staff, and behold, a pigeon flew out of his staff and hovered over his head. The priest said to Joseph: “You have been chosen to guard the virgin of the Lord.”But Joseph objected, saying: “I have children and am old, while she is young. I do not wish to become a laughingstock for the children of Israel.” The priest answered Joseph: “Fear the Lord your God, and remember what God did to Dathan, Abiron, and Korah, when the earth opened and they were swallowed up because of their rebellion. Now, fear, Joseph, lest the same thing happen to your house.”Joseph, terrified, took her under his protection. Joseph said to Mary: “I have taken you from the temple of the Lord, and now I leave you in my house. I will finish my work, and then I will return to you. The Lord will keep you.”(Luke 1:34-35)There was a council of the priests, and they said: “Let us build a tent for the temple of the Lord.” The priest said: “I want virgins without blemish from the tribe of David.” The ministers went, found seven virgins, and remembered Mary, for she was of the tribe of David and without blemish before God. The ministers brought her.After they were brought into the temple of the Lord, the priest said: “Let us cast lots to determine who will keep the gold, the fine linen, the purple, the silk, the purple-red, and the real purple.” Mary was assigned the purple-red and the silk. She took them and returned home. At that time, Zechariah became mute. Until Zechariah spoke again, Samuel took his place. Mary took the silk and began to weave it.(Luke 1:36-40)She took the basin, went out to draw water, and behold, a voice said: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women.” She looked around, to the right and to the left, from where the voice came. Trembling, she returned home, set down the basin, took the purple, and sat down on her throne to weave.Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared before her, saying: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God, and the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women.” (Luke 1:28-32)Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom there will be no end».12, 1 She wove purple and scarlet and brought them to the priest. And the priest blessed her, saying: «The Lord God has exalted your name, Mary, and you shall be blessed in all generations of the earth».
12, 2 Mary rejoiced and went to visit her kinswoman Elizabeth. She knocked at the door. When Elizabeth heard, she left the scarlet robe, ran to the door, and opened it. Seeing Mary, she blessed her, saying: «From whence comes this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, I am made unworthy to have you under my roof; but she who is in me has blessed me». Mary had forgotten the words of the archangel Gabriel and gazed at the heavens, exclaiming: «Who am I, that the generations of the earth should be blessed through me»?
12, 3 She stayed with Elizabeth for three months, and her womb grew day by day. Then Mary, filled with fear, returned to her home and hid herself from the children of Israel. When these things happened, she was sixteen years old.
13, 1 When she was about six months pregnant, Joseph returned from his work and, upon entering the house, found her in the state of pregnancy. He became angry, struck his face, threw himself on a sack, and wept bitterly, saying: «How can I look the Lord in the face? How can I offer prayer for this young woman? I received her as a virgin from the temple of the Lord, and I did not guard her. Who has deceived me? Who has brought this disgrace upon my house, defiling the virgin? Shall I suffer the same fate as Adam? For when Adam was in the garden of Eden, the serpent came, found Eve alone, and seduced her. So it has happened to me also».
13, 2 Joseph got up from the sack, called Mary, and said to her: «Beloved of God, why have you done this and forgotten the Lord your God? Why have you troubled your soul, being a virgin consecrated to the Holy of Holies and receiving food from the hand of an angel»?
13, 3 She wept bitterly, saying: «I am pure, and I did not conceive». Joseph asked: «Then how does this come to pass within you?». She answered: «Truly, as the Lord lives, I do not know from where this is within me».
14, 1 Joseph was greatly afraid. He withdrew from her, pondering what he should do. Joseph thought: «If I keep this secret, I am fighting against the law of the Lord. If I denounce her to the Israelites, I fear that what is within her is from a spirit, and I would have delivered to death an innocent blood. What shall I do then? I will send her away secretly». And so the night caught him unawares.
14, 2 And behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying: «Do not be afraid, Mary. What is conceived in you is from the Holy Spirit. You will give birth to a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom there will be no end».She will give birth to a son, and you shall name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Joseph awoke from his sleep, glorified the God of Israel, who had granted him this privilege, and kept her safe.15:1-2The scribe Anás came to him and said, “Why did you not appear before our council?” Joseph answered, “I was weary from the journey, and on the first day I rested.” As he turned, he saw Mary pregnant.He ran to the priest and said, “Joseph, of whom you are guarantor, has committed a grave offense.” The priest replied, “What is this?” “The virgin whom you received from the temple,” he answered, “he defiled her. He took her as his wife by deceit and did not make it known to the children of Israel.” The priest said, “Did Joseph do this?” The scribe Anás said, “Send ministers, and you will find the virgin pregnant.” The ministers went, found as he said, and brought her to the court with Joseph.The priest said to her, “Why have you done this? Why have you troubled your soul and forgotten the Lord your God, who made you holy, and who received your food from the hand of an angel, who heard your sacred music and danced before him? Why have you done this?” But she wept bitterly, saying, “As surely as the Lord lives, my God, I am pure before him, and I did not consent.”Joseph said to the priest, “As surely as the Lord lives, I am pure regarding her.” The priest said, “Do not tell lies; speak the truth. You took her by deceit, and did not make it known to the children of Israel. You did not bow your head under his mighty hand for your descendants to be blessed.”16:1-3The priest said, “Send back the virgin whom you received from Jerusalem.” Joseph wept bitterly. The priest continued, “I will give you the water of proof from Jerusalem, which will manifest your sins before your eyes.” He took her, made Joseph drink, and sent them away to the hill. He returned sound and safe. He also made Mary drink and sent her away to the hill. She returned safe and sound. And all the people marveled that no sin appeared in them.Then the priest said, “God has not revealed your sins. I do not judge you.” And he dismissed them. Joseph took Mary and returned in joy to his home, glorifying God of Israel.17:1-2An order came from the emperor Augustus for a census of all the inhabitants of Bethlehem in Judea. Joseph thought, “I will register all my sons. But what shall I do with this young woman? How shall I register her? As my wife? I am ashamed. As my daughter? But in Israel everyone knows she is not my daughter. This is the day of God, and God will do as he pleases.” He sealed the donkey, made Mary mount it, and set out.Your son was leading the animal, and Joseph followed them. When they had reached a distance of about three miles, Joseph turned and saw her dejected, and said to himself: «*Perhaps what is within her causes her sorrow*». Turning again, he saw that she was smiling. Then he asked her: «*What have you, Mary, that I see your face now smiling, now dejected*?» Mary answered Joseph: «*For I see with my eyes two peoples: one blind and mourning, the other full of joy and exultation*».When they had reached the halfway point, Mary said to Joseph: «*Let me get off the donkey, for what is within me is eager to be born*». He let her down and said: *Where can I take you to preserve your modesty? The place is desolate*».He found a cave there, and brought her inside, leaving his falcons with her. Then he went to find a midwife in the region of Bethlehem.I, Joseph, was walking and not walking. I looked up into the air and saw the air filled with wonder. I looked at the sky dome and saw the sky still, and the birds in the sky motionless. I looked at the earth, and saw a vessel placed there, and workers lying with their hands on the vessel. But those who chewed did not chew, those who took food did not lift it from the vessel, and those who brought it to their mouths did not carry it away. All faces were turned upwards.Beings were being pushed forward, yet they stood still. The shepherd raised his hand to strike them, but his hand hung suspended in the air. I looked at the stream, and saw the mouths of the goats resting on the water, but they did not drink. Then, in an instant, all things resumed their course.I saw a woman coming down the hill, and she said to me: *Where are you going? Take this*? I answered: *I am seeking a midwife from Bethlehem*’. And she: *Are you from Israel*? *I am*, I answered. And she continued: *And who is giving birth in the cave*? *Mary, the betrothed*, I answered. She asked me: *Is she not your wife*? *She is*, I answered. *But she is a handmaid in the temple of the Lord. I received her by lot as a wife, but she is not my wife; she conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit*». The midwife asked: *Is this true*? Joseph answered: *Come and see*». And the midwife went with him.They stopped at the cave, and behold, a radiant cloud covered the cave. The midwife said: *Today Mary’s soul has been exalted, for my eyes have seen wonders, and salvation has been born for Israel*». Immediately the cloud withdrew from the cave, and a great light appeared in the cave that the eyes could not bear. Soon after, that light diminished until a child appeared. He came and took Mary’s breast.The midwife exclaimed: “Today is a great day for me, for I have seen this new miracle”.
19, 3 Leaving the cave, the midwife found Salome and told her: “Salome, Salome, I have witnessed a miracle beyond belief, a virgin giving birth, something beyond her nature”. Salome replied: “I will not believe, unless I place my finger on her and examine her nature, that a virgin has given birth”.
20, 1 The midwife entered and said to Mary: “You are in a great conflict, for something extraordinary is happening around you”. Salome placed her finger on Mary’s nature and cried out, saying: “Woe to falsehood and unbelief, for I have tested the living God, and now the lying hand is burned away from me”. She then bowed her knees before the Lord, saying: “God of my fathers, remember me, for I am of the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Do not make me an example to the children of Israel, but restore me to the poor. You, Lord, know that in your name I have practiced healing and received my reward”.
20, 2 And behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to her, saying: “Salome, Salome, the Lord has heard you. Reach out your hand to the child, and you will be healed and filled with joy”.
20, 3 Salome approached and took the child, saying: “I will worship him, for a great king has been born for Israel”. Immediately, Salome was healed and left the cave, justified. And behold, a voice said: “Salome, Salome, do not reveal the wonders you have seen until the child has entered Jerusalem”.
21, 1 Joseph prepared to leave for Judea. There was great commotion in Bethlehem, for magi had arrived, saying: “Where is the king of the Jews who has been born? We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him”.
21, 2 Upon hearing this, Herod was troubled and sent ministers to the magi. He also summoned the chief priests and questioned them, saying: “How is it written about the Christ? Where is he to be born?”. They answered: “In Bethlehem, Judea, for thus it is written”. He then dismissed them.
21, 3 He also questioned the magi, saying: “What sign did you see regarding the king who has been born?”. The magi replied: “We saw a very bright star in the east that outshone the stars, and we knew that a king had been born for Israel, so we came to worship him”. “Go and search for him,” said Herod, “and when you find him, let me know, so that I too may go and worship him”. And the magi departed.
21, 4 And behold, the star that had led them stopped over the cave.The magi, seeing the child with Mary his mother, took out of their sacks gifts: gold, incense, and myrrh.21:5 Having been warned by an angel not to enter Judea, they returned to their country by another way.22:1 Perceiving that he had been deceived by the magi, Herod became furious and ordered assassins, saying: «*Kill all the children under two years old*».22:2 Mary, upon hearing that children were being massacred, took the child, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and placed him in a manger for oxen.22:3 Elizabeth, upon hearing that they were seeking John, took him and went up into the mountain, looking around for a place to hide. But there was no place to hide. Then Elizabeth, groaning, cried out in a loud voice: «*Mountain of God, receive a mother and her child*». Immediately the mountain was split open and received them. And a light appeared to them, for an angel of the Lord was with them to guard them.23:1 Herod, meanwhile, sought John and sent ministers to Zachary, saying: «*Where do you hide your son?*» He answered: «*I am a public official of God and I stand constantly in the temple of the Lord. I do not know where my son is*».23:2 The ministers returned and reported all this to Herod. Enraged, Herod said to them: «*It is your son who will reign over Israel*». Therefore, he sent them back a second time, saying: «*Tell the truth: where is your son? You know well that your blood is under the hand of the Lord*».23:3 Zachary answered: «*If I shed my blood, I will be a witness for God. My spirit will be taken by the Lord, for I have shed innocent blood in the threshold of the temple of the Lord*». At dawn, Zachary was killed. The children of Israel did not know that he was killed.24:1 At the time of the offering, the priests went out, but Zachary did not come to meet them as was customary, with the blessing. The priests waited for Zachary to come and greet them in prayer and glorify the Most High.24:2 As he was late, they all became afraid. One of them gathered his courage, entered, and saw, by the altar, congealed blood, and heard a voice saying: «*Zachary has been killed. His blood will not be wiped away until his avenger comes*». Upon hearing these words, he became frightened and went to inform the priests.24:3 They became filled with courage, entered, and saw what had happened. The beams of the temple quivered, and they rent their garments from top to bottom. They did not find his body, but they found his blood congealed. Filled with fear, they went out and announced to the whole people that Zachary had been killed. All the tribes of the people heard this, they wept, and mourned for three days and three nights.24:4 After three days, the priests decided who would be placed in his place, and the lot fell on Simeon.This was he whom the Holy Spirit had signified would not see death before seeing Christ in the flesh.25, 1 After the death of Herod, there arose in Jerusalem a great commotion, and I, James, who have written this narrative, withdrew into the desert until the uproar in Jerusalem ceased, glorifying the Lord God who had granted me the gift and wisdom to write this narrative.25, 2 Grace be with those who fear our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.ConclusionThe Protoevangelium of James, though an apocryphal writing and therefore not part of the canon of Scriptures, holds a decisive place in understanding how the ancient Christian tradition developed, transmitted, and imagined the origins of Mary and the initial steps of the mystery of Incarnation. The text presents, in narrative and symbolic language, a theology of God’s action in history, emphasizing the divine initiative that visits the timid, reverses sterility, fulfills promises, and guides events to the manifestation of the Savior.By narrating Mary’s conception and birth, her dedication to the temple, and the announcement of Jesus’ birth, the work reinforces themes that later became central in Marian piety and reflection, such as the singular sanctity of the Mother of the Lord, her complete belonging to God, and the understanding of her mission in the light of salvation’s economy. At the same time, it highlights how early Christianity sought to express, through its own literary resources, the integrity of the virgin motherhood and the divine origin of the Son, articulating elements of biblical tradition with theological and catechetical motives.Read with discernment, the Protoevangelium of James does not serve as a normative source of faith but as a historical testimony of an ancient reception of the Christian mystery and a nascent Marianology, strongly marked by the sacred dimension, temple symbolism, and the conviction that Mary’s history is intrinsically oriented towards Christ. In this sense, its relevance remains current for those studying the formation of Marian tradition, the dynamics of apocryphal literature, and the evolution of Mary’s representations in the imagination and spirituality of the Church.For the magisterial framework on Mary in Christian sources, consult the *Lumen Gentium*.
Lumen Gentium Chapter VIII of the Second Vatican Council: Maria, biblical and patristic sources of Marian faith. Also read: The pain of Mary and Mary’s presence in the life of the Church.
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To deepen biblical and patristic study on Mary and her roots in primitive Christian tradition, consult the Encyclical Redemptoris Mater by Pope John Paul II.
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