The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 1 The annunciation, and a prologue that names Paul among those who preach Jesus as the Son of God. How the Qur'an portrays Mary and this birth, and where this Gospel's stance against Paul is examined:
Gabriel Announces the Birth of Jesus
In these last years a virgin called Mary, of the lineage of David, of the tribe of Judah, was visited by the angel Gabriel from God. This virgin, living in all holiness without any offence, being blameless and abiding in prayer with fastings, being one day alone, there entered into her chamber the angel Gabriel, and he saluted her, saying: 'God be with thee, O Mary'.
The virgin was affrighted at the appearance of the angel; but the angel comforted her saying: 'Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God, who hath chosen thee to be mother of a prophet, whom he will send to the people of Israel in order that they may walk in his laws with truth of heart'.
The virgin answered: 'Now how shall I bring forth sons, seeing I know not a man?' The angel answered: 'O Mary, God who made man without a man is able to generate in thee man without a man, because with him nothing is impossible.'
Mary answered: 'I know that God is almighty, therefore his will be done.' The angel answered: 'Now be conceived in thee the prophet, whom thou shalt name Jesus: and thou shalt keep him from wine and from strong drink and from every unclean meat, because the child is an holy one of God.'
Mary bowed herself with humility, saying: 'Behold the handmaid of God, be it done according to thy word.' The angel departed, and the virgin glorified God, saying: Know, O my soul, the greatness of God, and exult, my spirit, in God my Saviour; for he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden, insomuch that I shall be called blessed by all the nations, for he that is mighty hath made me great, and blessed be his holy name. For his mercy extendeth from generation to generation of them that fear him. Mighty hath he made his hand, and he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of his heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. Him who hath been hungry hath he filled with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. For he keepeth in memory the promises made to Abraham and to his son for ever.
In these last years, a virgin named Mary, of the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah, was visited by Gabriel, an angel sent by God. She lived in complete holiness, blameless and devoted to prayer and fasting. One day, while she was alone, the angel Gabriel entered her chamber and greeted her, saying: 'God be with you, O Mary.'
The virgin was frightened by the angel's appearance, but he comforted her, saying: 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. He has chosen you to be the mother of a prophet whom he will send to the people of Israel, so that they may walk according to his laws with sincerity of heart.'
The virgin answered: 'How, then, will I give birth to a child, since I have not known a man?' The angel answered: 'O Mary, God, who made man without a man, is able to cause a man to be conceived in you without a man, because nothing is impossible for him.'
Mary answered: 'I know that God is almighty; therefore, let his will be done.' The angel answered: 'The prophet will now be conceived in you, and you will name him Jesus. You will keep him from wine, strong drink, and every unclean food, because the child is a holy one of God.'
Mary bowed herself humbly, saying: 'I am God's servant; let it be done according to your word.' The angel departed, and the virgin glorified God, saying: 'Know, O my soul, the greatness of God, and rejoice, my spirit, in God my Savior; for he has regarded the lowliness of his servant, so that I will be called blessed by all nations. The Mighty One has made me great, and blessed is his holy name. His mercy extends from generation to generation toward those who fear him. He has made his hand mighty and has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought the mighty down from their seats and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. For he remembers forever the promises made to Abraham and to his son.'
In these last years a virgin called Mary, of the lineage of David, of the tribe of Judah, was visited by the angel Gabriel from God. This virgin, living in all holiness without any offence, being blameless and abiding in prayer with fastings, being one day alone, there entered into her chamber the angel Gabriel, and he saluted her, saying: 'God be with thee, O Mary'.
The virgin was affrighted at the appearance of the angel; but the angel comforted her saying: 'Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God, who hath chosen thee to be mother of a prophet, whom he will send to the people of Israel in order that they may walk in his laws with truth of heart'.
The virgin answered: 'Now how shall I bring forth sons, seeing I know not a man?' The angel answered: 'O Mary, God who made man without a man is able to generate in thee man without a man, because with him nothing is impossible.'
Mary answered: 'I know that God is almighty, therefore his will be done.' The angel answered: 'Now be conceived in thee the prophet, whom thou shalt name Jesus: and thou shalt keep him from wine and from strong drink and from every unclean meat, because the child is an holy one of God.'
Mary bowed herself with humility, saying: 'Behold the handmaid of God, be it done according to thy word.' The angel departed, and the virgin glorified God, saying: Know, O my soul, the greatness of God, and exult, my spirit, in God my Saviour; for he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden, insomuch that I shall be called blessed by all the nations, for he that is mighty hath made me great, and blessed be his holy name. For his mercy extendeth from generation to generation of them that fear him. Mighty hath he made his hand, and he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of his heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. Him who hath been hungry hath he filled with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. For he keepeth in memory the promises made to Abraham and to his son for ever.