Despite the commonly held assumption that the Bible says little about the mother of Jesus, there are many indications that Mary preceded and inspired her son in fostering the emergence of a new faith.

In the Gospel of John, Mary instigates Jesus' first miracle, and in all four gospels she is present at the crucifixion, suggesting hers was a place of central importance in the Christian story.

Chris Maunder sets aside presuppositions based on doctrine and returns to the New Testament to answer the question, 'Who was Mary?' Taking into account recent theological, political and social developments that have changed how we approach the Bible, he re-examines the virgin conception of Jesus, Mary's contribution to Jesus's ministry, and her role in the events of the crucifixion and the resurrection.

In so doing, he casts a thought-provoking new light on Mary and the women, including Mary Magdalene, who stood alongside her.