As a prostitute, Miri unlawfully plies her trade during the Roman occupation of Palestine. She hates her life, and knowing she will eventually get caught, allows men to gather loudly at her door. Soon after, the authorities drag her to a quarry to be stoned, but moments before her death, Joshua saves her. He introduces her into his world, a place where he teaches a new spiritual philosophy to the multitude. Miri is soon swept into a magnitude of emotions ranging from profound self-loathing to the joys of love—love for a man who has only weeks to live. Bound on this earth by human frailty, she listens to his mysterious, but confusing teachings. As Joshua's mistress, and later, his wife, she finally realizes the beauty of his doctrine. It opens her eyes to the mysteries of the universe, and this new faith accompanies her when she finally leaves Palestine forever.