Bible

Mary in the Quran

  • Maryam, the mother of Jesus, is mentioned by name 34 times across different chapters.
  • She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran.
  • An entire chapter is named after her: Surat Maryam (Chapter 19).
  • She is honored as one of the most righteous women, described as chosen above all other women of her time (Quran 3:42).

Mary in the Bible

  • In the New Testament, Mary (mother of Jesus) is mentioned by name about 19 times, mainly in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and Acts.
  • There are also other women named Mary in the New Testament (e.g., Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, Mary the mother of James), so if you count all Marys combined, the name appears over 50 times.
  • In the Old Testament, the name “Mary” does not appear, as it is a New Testament figure (the Hebrew equivalent Miriam (same name origin) does appear in the Old Testament, e.g., the sister of Moses, mentioned about 15–16 times).

Hebrew Bible (Tanakh)

  • 39 books (in Protestant counting; Jews count them as 24 because some are combined, e.g., 1–2 Samuel are one book, etc.).
  • This is the Old Testament used by Judaism.

Christian Bibles

  • Protestant Bible: 66 books (39 in the Old Testament, and 27 in the New Testament)
  • Catholic Bible: 73 books (46 Old Testament (includes 7 “Deuterocanonical” books not in Protestant OT: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1 & 2 Maccabees), and 27 New Testament.
  • Eastern Orthodox Bible: About 76 to 78 books, depending on tradition. Includes the Deuterocanonical books plus some others like 3 Maccabees, Psalm 151, 1 Esdras, Prayer of Manasseh, etc.
  • Ethiopian Orthodox Bible: 81 books (Includes unique texts like Enoch, Jubilees, 1–3 Meqabyan (not the same as Maccabees), and more.

Protestant Reformation (16th century)

When Martin Luther and other Reformers created the Protestant canon, they removed 7 Old Testament books that had been in the Catholic canon for centuries. These are called the Deuterocanonical Books by Catholics (and “Apocrypha” by Protestants):

  • Tobit
  • Judith
  • Wisdom (of Solomon)
  • Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
  • Baruch (including the Letter of Jeremiah)
  • 1 Maccabees
  • 2 Maccabees

Protestants kept 66 books (39 OT + 27 NT), while Catholics kept 73.

Books found in Eastern Orthodox Bibles but not Catholic/Protestant

The Orthodox canon is larger. It includes all of the above plus additional works:

  • 3 Maccabees
  • 1 Esdras (sometimes called 3 Esdras in Latin tradition)
  • Prayer of Manasseh
  • Psalm 151

Some traditions (like Russian Orthodox) also include 2 Esdras (4 Esdras in Latin numbering).

Books preserved in the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has the largest biblical canon (81 books). Besides everything above, it includes:

  • 1 Enoch
  • Jubilees
  • 1–3 Meqabyan (different from the Greek Maccabees)
  • Additional church books like *The Shepherd of Hermas* and *The Book of the Covenant in appendices.

Early Christian writings once considered Scripture

Some books were read in early churches but later excluded from the universal canon (especially at councils like Hippo 393 CE and Carthage 397 CE). Examples:

  • The Shepherd of Hermas
  • The Didache (Teaching of the 12 Apostles)
  • The Gospel of Barnabas (later rejected, but known in some circles)
  • The Epistle of Barnabas
  • The Acts of Paul and Thecla
  • The Apocalypse of Peter

Dozens of other gospels circulated in the first few centuries, but they were excluded when the canon was settled (4th century councils like Nicaea 325 CE, Hippo 393 CE, Carthage 397 CE). Here are the most famous:

  • Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus – stories of Jesus’ childhood.
  • Infancy Gospel of Thomas – miracle stories of Jesus as a child (e.g., clay birds brought to life).
  • Protoevangelium of James – tells about Mary’s miraculous birth and childhood, and details about Joseph.
  • Gospel of Thomas – sayings of Jesus, discovered at Nag Hammadi in Egypt (1945). Some scholars think it’s very early.
  • Gospel of Philip – focuses on mystical teachings; famous for passages about Mary Magdalene.
  • Gospel of Mary (Magdalene) – portrays Mary as a disciple with secret teachings.
  • Gospel of Judas – paints Judas not as a betrayer, but as someone fulfilling Jesus’ request.
  • Gospel of Truth – attributed to Valentinus (a 2nd-century Gnostic teacher).
  • Gospel of Peter – dramatic resurrection account (once popular in Syria).
  • Gospel of Nicodemus (Acts of Pilate) – details Pilate’s role and Jesus’ descent into Hell (Harrowing of Hell).

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