La estrella de Belén en el Evangelio de Mateo, en el Protoevangelio de Santiago y en otros tres textos apócrifos: un análisis literario y comparativo

Abstract

This article explores the literary role of the Star of Bethlehem of Matthew’s Gospel in four apocryphal texts. Some literary aspects of the apocryphal texts are examined. This initial analysis determines the existence of editorial connections that reveal their relationship with the canonical text of Matthew. It begins by studying the Protevangelium of James, which creatively edits and uses the canonical Matthew regarding the story of the magi and the star. Then, the article examines the editorial activity that three apocryphal texts make of the Protevangelium concerning the star. These are: The Arabic Infancy Gospel, the Armenian Infancy Gospel and the Pseudo Gospel of Matthew. A comparative examination of these four apocryphal Gospels allows us to understand that even though editorial elements exist, the motive of the star resembles Matthew´s Gospel, describing the star in terms of movement.