Texts in Conversation
The Epistle to the Ephesians and the Gospel of Philip connect Jesus' birth with a light that reveals what was hidden. Philip places that light beside the Father's union with a virgin, giving the sign of Jesus' arrival a place within its marriage imagery.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Ignatius, Epistle to the Ephesians 1:19
Early Christian
19 Now the virginity of Mary was hidden from the prince of this world, as was also her offspring, and the death of the Lord; three mysteries of renown, which were wrought in silence by God. How, then, was He manifested to the world? A star shone forth in heaven above all the other stars, the light of which was inexpressible, while its novelty struck men with astonishment. And all the rest of the stars, with the sun and moon, formed a chorus to this star, and its light was exceedingly great above them all. And there was agitation felt as to whence this new spectacle came, so unlike to everything else [in the heavens].
Date: 160-180 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Gospel of Philip 9:31
Nag Hammadi
It is truly appropriate to speak concerning a symbolic image. The All-Father united with the virgin who descended, and a fire illumined him. It was on that day that he revealed the great bridal chamber. This was the reason that his body came into existence. It was on that day that he emerged from the bridal chamber like one who had come into existence from the bridegroom and the bride. This is how Jesus founded all things inside himself, by means of these, and each disciple must enter, entering into his rest. Adam came into existence from two virgins, from the Spirit, and from the virgin Earth. This is why Christ was born from a virgin, in order that he could cure the fall that had occurred in the beginning.
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Notes and References
“... 82a. Tmly, it is necessary to utter a mystery. The Father of the All united with the virgin who had fallen. And a fiery (star) shone forth for him that day and revealed the great bridal chamber." Because of diis (it holds tme): on that day his body came into being. He left the bridal chamber. - As the one who came into being from the bridegroom and the bride, so Jesus established everything in it through these. 82b. And it is necessary that each one of the disciples enter into his rest. [...] 53. Cf. Ignatius. Eph. 19.2. ...”
Schenke, Hans-Martin
"The Gospel of Philip" in Schneemelcher, Wilhelm; Wilson, R. McL. (ed.) New Testament Apocrypha, Volume 1: Gospels and Related Writings
(p. 198, 208) James Clarke & Co., 1991
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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