THE GOSPEL OF JAMES.
3
THE GOSPEL OF JAMES; COMMONLY CALLED
THE PROTEVANGELIUM OF JAMES.
The Birth of Mary, the Holy Mother of God and Very
Glorious Mother of Jesus Christ.
CHAPTER I.
In the histories[1]of the twelve tribes of Israel there was one Joachim,[2]who was very rich, and he offered his gifts two-fold, saying, There shall be of my substance for all the people, and for my forgiveness with the Lord as a propitiation for me. And the great day of the Lord drew nigh, and the children of Israel offered their gifts. And Reuben the high priest resisted him, saying, It is not lawful for thee to offer thy gifts first, because thou hast not produced seed in Israel. And
- ↑ The author might have more properly said 'genealogies' or 'records,' as his object is simply to intimate the purely Israelitish descent of Mary's parents.
- ↑ Some think that Mary's father was called Heli, understanding Luke iii. 23, to mean as much. Jerome supposed he was called Cleophas; but we have no evidence that the name Joachim was given him before the appearance of this document. In like manner the name Anna is quite without authority, although both it and Joseph have been adopted by the Greek and Roman churches. Reuben also, as the name of the high priest, is supported by no authority.
