Mary, Mother of Jesus
Mary was a young Jewish woman from Nazareth chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus Christ. Her "yes" to the angel Gabriel, "Let it be to me according to your word", is one of the most consequential moments in human history.
Type
person
Biblical person
Significance
Mary models radical faith and surrender to God's purposes. She bore the weight of misunderstanding, the joy of the Incarnation, and the grief of the cross. Her Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55) is one of the most beautiful songs of praise in all Scripture.
About Mary, Mother of Jesus
Mary was a young Jewish woman from Nazareth chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus Christ. Her "yes" to the angel Gabriel, "Let it be to me according to your word", is one of the most consequential moments in human history.
Why It Matters
Mary models radical faith and surrender to God's purposes. She bore the weight of misunderstanding, the joy of the Incarnation, and the grief of the cross. Her Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55) is one of the most beautiful songs of praise in all Scripture.
Key Verses
The most important scripture passages relating to Mary, Mother of Jesus.
Luke 1:38
“And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.”
Context
Mary's response to the impossible announcement of the angel Gabriel, a moment of profound faith that changed all of history.
Luke 1:46–47
“And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."”
Context
The opening of the Magnificat, Mary's spontaneous hymn of praise upon visiting Elizabeth, reflecting a deep knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures.
John 2:5
“His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."”
Context
Mary's final recorded words in Scripture at the wedding at Cana, a perfect summary of her entire posture toward her Son.
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Mary a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus?
Yes. Scripture teaches the virgin birth explicitly in Matthew 1:18–25 and Luke 1:26–38. Mary conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit while still a virgin, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son."
Did Mary have other children after Jesus?
The Gospels mention Jesus's brothers (James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas) and sisters (Matthew 13:55–56, Mark 6:3). Protestant and most evangelical traditions interpret these as Mary and Joseph's biological children born after Jesus. The perpetual virginity of Mary is a doctrine held by Catholic and some Orthodox traditions.
What happened to Mary after the resurrection?
After the resurrection, Mary is recorded among the believers in the upper room (Acts 1:14). Church tradition holds that the Apostle John took her into his care as Jesus instructed from the cross (John 19:27). She likely spent her remaining years in Jerusalem or Ephesus.