Under Her Wings
Mothers and Motherhood in the New Testament
- Biblical Studies & Commentaries
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Published: 2025
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Publisher's Description
A comprehensive study of motherhood in the New Testament Mothers and motherhood-related themes are present throughout the New Testament, yet they have not received sufficient attention from biblical scholars. Under Her Wings fills this gap by exploring the literary, historical, feminist, and theological significance of mothers and motherhood in the New Testament. Balancing critical scholarship with sensitivity to the importance of the Bible, author Jennifer Houston McNeel analyzes the stories of mothers in the Gospels and Acts, mothers referred to in New Testament letters and Revelation, and metaphorical uses of motherhood throughout the New Testament. Following this comprehensive survey, she draws together the motherhood-related themes that have been explored throughout the book—new life, suffering, identity, caregiving, and influence—and offers reflections on why the study of mothers in the New Testament matters. Readers of Under Her Wings will come away with a clearer understanding of what motherhood signifies in the New Testament, and of the meanings and themes that are being communicated when mothers appear in the text. They will also learn how the historical realities of women in the ancient world should inform our reading of mothers as biblical characters and maternal metaphors. Comprehensive and insightful, this book is a valuable resource for seminarians, scholars, and readers interested in the intersection of biblical studies and motherhood.
Endorsements (4)
“Mothers (both literal and metaphorical) appear throughout the New Testament, both in the form of contemporary individuals and when the New Testament authors interpret biblical texts. Rarely is their status as mothers brought to the fore. When it is, important insights emerge. Bringing all the relevant texts together in one volume, Under Her Wings is a unique and valuable resource that no serious student of the New Testament can afford to be without. No matter how long you have been studying the New Testament, you will come away from reading Jennifer Houston McNeel’s book with a greater understanding of both the New Testament itself and its cultural background.”
“This engaging and comprehensive study foregrounds an important topic that is too often hidden from view in both biblical scholarship and the church’s preaching and teaching ministry: the pervasive presence of mothers and maternal metaphors in the New Testament. Jennifer Houston McNeel illumines the richly nuanced diversity of the New Testament’s presentation of both literal and metaphorical motherhood while also drawing attention to underappreciated recurrent themes. Far from being peripheral or merely decorative, maternal language and imagery turn out to be at the heart of the New Testament’s theological expression of who God is, how God relates to us, and how we are to relate to each other. This eye-opening volume will be an invaluable resource for the enterprise of theological education and for the life and ministry of the church.”
“Jennifer Houston McNeel opens our eyes to see mothers and mothering in many places in the New Testament. While the early Roman Empire was a ‘man’s world,’ McNeel’s careful analysis of these narrated and named ‘mothers’ reminds us that these female parents are always there, whether they are recognized or not, appreciated or not. And she demonstrates that attending to the New Testament’s ‘mother’ language and imagery—so often overlooked—reveals important things about God and the gospel. Carefully researched, full of insight, and designed for group study and reflection, this is a great book to better understand the families in the New Testament, and our own families too.”
“In this accessible, elegantly written study of an important but neglected topic, Jennifer Houston McNeel uncovers aspects of motherhood (literal and figurative, human and divine) in the New Testament that will inform—and perhaps also inspire—readers. Laypeople, students, pastors, and scholars alike will benefit from this enlightening and occasionally provocative volume.”
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