MARY, BIRTH (OR DESCENT) OF. A Gnostic document known only from its mention by Epiphanius (Heresies XXVI. 12. 1-9). It identifies the Zechariah of Matthew 23:35 with the father of the Baptist, and says he was killed because he told of his vision in the Temple (Luke 1:9-12) of a man having the form of an ass. This conforms with pagan polemic against the God of the Jews, and the work appears to show violent hostility to Judaism. It is quite distinct from the Gospel of the Birth of Mary. See NTAp. I. 344f.