Mary (Mother of Jesus)
Mary, a young virgin from Nazareth, was chosen by God to conceive and bear his Son Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, an event described in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew as the Annunciation by the angel Gabriel. She responded to this divine call with faith and obedience, accepting her role in the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy regarding the virgin birth. This account matters because it establishes the miraculous nature of the Incarnation, affirming Jesus' dual human and divine identity central to Christian theology. Mary's example highlights themes of humility and trust in God's plan, influencing her portrayal throughout Scripture as a model of discipleship.
Biography
- Born
- c. 18 BC, Nazareth (tradition)
- Tribe
- Judah
- Spouse
- Joseph
- Children
- Jesus, James, Joses, Judas, Simon, and sisters
- Era
- New Testament
- Nationality
- Jewish, Galilean
- Also Known As
- The Virgin Mary
Family
Did You Know?
Although often portrayed as an adult, first-century Jewish betrothal customs indicate Mary was likely only 12 to 14 years old when Gabriel appeared to her in Nazareth, making her one of the youngest named figures to receive a direct divine commission in Scripture.
Mary's journey to visit her relative Elizabeth in the hill country of Judah occurred while she was newly pregnant, resulting in the prenatal John the Baptist leaping in Elizabeth's womb, an event Luke presents as Spirit-inspired prophetic recognition.
At the wedding in Cana, Mary's prompting led Jesus to perform his first sign by turning water into wine, even though he initially responded that his hour had not yet come, revealing her unique influence on the timing of his public ministry.
While standing at the foot of the cross, Jesus entrusted Mary's care to the disciple John rather than to his own brothers, implying that his siblings were not yet followers and underscoring the early Christian community's shift from biological to spiritual family ties.
The Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55, Mary's only extended speech recorded in the Gospels, closely parallels Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2 and demonstrates her familiarity with Hebrew Scripture despite her humble Galilean background.
Key Passages
The Annunciation
Luke 1:26-38
A teenage girl in an obscure village receives the most extraordinary announcement in history - she will bear God's Son. Mary's response, 'let it be according to your word,' models perfect faith.
26nd in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Mary's Song (Magnificat)
Luke 1:46-55
Mary's hymn reveals deep knowledge of Scripture and theology - celebrating God who reverses the world's power structures, lifting the humble and filling the hungry.
46nd Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
At the Cross
John 19:25-27
Mary watches her son die the death of a criminal, fulfilling Simeon's prophecy that a sword would pierce her soul. Her presence at the cross embodies faithful endurance through unimaginable grief.
25ow there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his motherโs sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.