Lily C. Vuong Knihy

The Protevangelium of James is arguably the earliest surviving source that exhibits profound interest in Mary, the mother of Jesus. Although frequently cited for later Christian reflections about Mary, gender, and virginity and its influence on popular Christian art, music, and literature, it is not well known outside academic circles and is rarely studied for its own sake. Lily C. Vuong offers a sustained analysis of the text's narrative and literary features in order to explore the portrayal and characterization of Mary through a focus on the theme of purity. By tracing the various ways purity is described and presented in the text, the author contributes to discussions on early Jewish and Christian ideas about purity, representations of women in the ancient world, the early history of Mariology, and the place of non-canonical writings in the history of biblical interpretation.

Focusing on the life of the Virgin Mary, this text explores her miraculous birth, upbringing in the temple, and early marriage to Joseph, providing details not found in the New Testament. It enhances familiar narratives surrounding Jesus' conception and escape from Herod's decree. Despite being noncanonical, it has significantly influenced Eastern churches and captivated Western readers since the sixteenth century. This study edition features a new translation, cross-references, and commentary, along with an extensive introduction that delves into recent scholarly insights on Mary and the text's cultural impact.