The maternal ancestry of Jesus is a topic of interest within Christian tradition. While the New Testament names Mary’s parents as Joachim and Anne, information about them is primarily derived from apocryphal texts like the Gospel of James and the Gospel of the Pseudo-Matthew, not considered canonical scripture by most Christian denominations. These texts offer narratives about the conception and early life of Mary, thus indirectly shedding light on the lives of her parents.
Understanding the lineage of Jesus, even through extra-biblical sources, provides a richer context for appreciating the cultural and historical setting of his life. While these genealogical details aren’t central to core Christian doctrines like salvation or the divinity of Christ, they offer valuable insights into the world Mary inhabited and the family dynamics that shaped her upbringing. This exploration of ancestral history frequently features in art, music, and literature within the Christian tradition, reflecting its enduring cultural significance.