Mary, the mother of Jesus, holds a significant place in Christian theology and history. She is revered as the woman chosen by God to bear His Son, Jesus Christ, and is often referred to as the "Blessed Virgin Mary." Her account is primarily found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, where her faith, obedience, and role in the divine plan are highlighted.

Genealogy and Early Life

Mary was a young Jewish woman from Nazareth, a town in Galilee. She was betrothed to Joseph, a descendant of King David, which fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would come from David's line. The Gospel of Luke provides a glimpse into her lineage, connecting her to the house of David (Luke 1:27).

The Annunciation

The Annunciation is a pivotal moment in Mary's life and in the Christian narrative. The angel Gabriel appeared to her, announcing that she had found favor with God and would conceive a son by the Holy Spirit. This child would be called Jesus, meaning "The Lord saves," and He would be the Son of the Most High (Luke 1:31-32). Mary's response, "I am the Lord’s servant... May it happen to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38), exemplifies her faith and submission to God's will.

The Visitation

Following the Annunciation, Mary visited her relative Elizabeth, who was also miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist. Upon Mary's arrival, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognized Mary as "the mother of my Lord" (Luke 1:43). Mary responded with the Magnificat, a song of praise and prophecy, expressing her joy and the fulfillment of God's promises (Luke 1:46-55).

The Birth of Jesus

Mary traveled with Joseph to Bethlehem for a census, where she gave birth to Jesus in humble circumstances, laying Him in a manger (Luke 2:7). The birth of Jesus was announced by angels to shepherds, who came to see the child and spread the news of His birth (Luke 2:8-20).

Mary's Role in Jesus' Early Life

Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the Temple, where Simeon and Anna prophesied about His future (Luke 2:22-38). Mary treasured these events in her heart, reflecting on their significance (Luke 2:19, 51). The family later fled to Egypt to escape King Herod's decree, returning to Nazareth after Herod's death (Matthew 2:13-23).

Mary at the Wedding at Cana

Mary played a significant role at the wedding in Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine. Her request to Jesus and His subsequent action demonstrated her faith in His divine mission (John 2:1-11).

Mary at the Crucifixion

Mary was present at the crucifixion of Jesus, standing by the cross with other women and the beloved disciple, John. Jesus, in His final moments, entrusted Mary to John's care, saying, "Woman, here is your son," and to John, "Here is your mother" (John 19:26-27). This act underscored the deep bond between Jesus and His mother and highlighted her continued role in the early Christian community.

Mary in the Early Church

After Jesus' resurrection and ascension, Mary is mentioned among the disciples in the upper room, devoted to prayer and waiting for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14). Her presence in the early church signifies her ongoing influence and support in the nascent Christian community.

Theological Significance

Mary's role as the mother of Jesus is central to the Incarnation, the belief that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. Her willingness to accept God's plan is seen as a model of faith and obedience for believers. Throughout Christian history, Mary has been venerated for her unique role in salvation history, and her life continues to inspire devotion and reflection on the mystery of the Incarnation.Luke 1:38
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her.
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Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
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Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
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John 19:25
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
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Mark 6:3
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
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Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
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Luke 2:19
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
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Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord,
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3137. Maria -- Mary, the name of several Christian women
... Transliteration: Maria or Mariam Phonetic Spelling: (mar-ee'-ah) Short Definition:
Mary, Miriam Definition: Mary, Miriam, (a) the mother of Jesus, (b) of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3137.htm - 6k

Mary, Future Mother of Jesus, visits Elisabeth, Future Mother of ...
... Part First. The Period of Christ's Life Prior to His Ministry. VII. Mary, Future
Mother of Jesus, Visits Elisabeth, Future Mother of John the Baptist. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/vii mary future mother of.htm

The Birth of Mary the Holy Mother of God, and Very Glorious Mother ...
... The Birth of Mary the Holy Mother of God, and Very Glorious Mother of Jesus
Christ. The Birth of Mary the Holy Mother of God, and ...
/.../unknown/the protevangelium of james/the birth of mary the.htm

And Joseph Having Come to a Feast with his Sons...
... her sister Mary of Cleophas, whom the Lord God had given to her father Cleophas
and her mother Anna, because they had offered Mary the mother of Jesus to the ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 42 and joseph having.htm

The Second Fall of Jesus.
... had an entrance in that street which Jesus traversed after ... stand at the entrance
mentioned above, with Mary and her ... The Mother of God was pale, her eyes were ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxxii the second fall.htm

Of what John Learned from Jesus when Mary visited Elisabeth in the ...
... in the process of formation and in His mother's womb, approached ... that John is a voice
but that Jesus is the ... the Holy Spirit at the salutation of Mary there was ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/30 of what john learned.htm

Jesus is Born in Bethlehem
... CHAPTER II JESUS IS BORN IN BETHLEHEM. Mary, the mother of Jesus, lived
in the little town of Nazareth, among the hills of Galilee. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter ii jesus is born.htm

The Departure of Mary and the Holy Women of Calvary.
... The Mother of Jesus, accompanied by her niece, Mary (the daughter of Cleophas),
John, and Salome went quite up to the round platform; but Martha, Mary of Heli ...
/.../chapter xxxvii the departure of.htm

Mary in the House of Caiphas.
... Mary was with Jesus in spirit, and Jesus was with her; but this loving Mother
wished to hear with her own ear the voice of her Divine Son. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xi mary in the.htm

Jesus and his Mother.
... ever was born. No mother was ever more to her infant than Mary was to
Jesus. She taught him all his first lessons. She gave him ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter ii jesus and his.htm

The Brethren of the Lord.
... Twelve. 2. That these persons are found in all places, but one or two,
in immediate connection with Mary, the mother of Jesus. 3 ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the brethren of the lord.htm

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