Keraia
People

Mary

Mary, the mother of Jesus and wife of Joseph, was a virgin when she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
FemaleJesus' motherTribe of LeviNew Testament eraNew Testament4 books36 verses

Summary

A woman from the tribe of Judah living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Matthew 1:16; only referred to as Mary (Μαρία); daughter of Heli; a sister of Salome (?); wife of Joseph; mother of Jesus, James, Joses, Simon and Jude.

Profile

Mary, the wife of Joseph, was the virgin mother of Jesus. Luke tells us that as a young girl in Nazareth, Mary was engaged to Joseph, a local carpenter. Before they married, an angel told her she would become pregnant by God's Spirit and give birth to the Son of God (Luke 1:26–35). Mary accepted this extraordinary message with simple faith, humbly agreeing to God's will (Luke 1:38; see also Luke 1:46–55). Soon after, her relative Elizabeth confirmed the message, calling Mary the most blessed of all women (Luke 1:39–45). People saw Mary's miraculous bearing of the Son of God as a fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 7:14).

Jesus was born under unusual circumstances. Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem for a Roman census. The child was born in a stable because no other lodging was available (Luke 2:1–7). Later, Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt to protect the child from Herod's massacre of young boys in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:13–18). When they returned, they settled in Nazareth to raise their family (Matthew 2:19–23). After Jesus was born, Mary likely had several other sons and daughters (Matthew 13:55–56; Mark 6:3). Mary probably told Luke the details of the birth of Jesus and the unusual events surrounding it (see Luke 2:51).

When Jesus was twelve, he stayed in the temple during a family trip to Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph scolded him for staying behind when they left, but they did not understand his response (Luke 2:41–51). Early in his public ministry, Mary urged Jesus to perform a miracle at a wedding in Cana (John 2:1–11). Later, when she and his brothers went to see Jesus, he said that his disciples were his true family (Matthew 12:46–50; Mark 3:31–35; Luke 8:19–21).

When Jesus was put to death on the cross, Mary was among the women watching (see Mark 15:40, 47; John 19:25). As Jesus was dying, he asked John, the “disciple whom He loved,” to care for Mary as his own mother (John 19:26–27). After Jesus died and came back to life, Mary was part of the believing community. She is mentioned among those praying together when the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14).

God chose Mary to bring his Son, the Savior, into the world. For all Christians, she serves as a model of humility and obedience to God's will.

Passages for Further Study

Matthew 1:16, 18–25; 2:11, 13–23; Luke 1:26–2:51; John 19:25–27; Acts 1:14

Events

Dates are approximate

Glossary entries

Mary

Family members

Father

Heli

Mother

Heli's wife

Spouse

Joseph

Siblings

Salome

Children

James Jesus Joses Jude Simon

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 16 verses that refer to Mary without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. Matthew 1:16
    …and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
  2. Matthew 1:18
    This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
  3. Matthew 1:20
    But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
  4. Matthew 1:21Referred to, not named
    She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
  5. Matthew 2:11
    On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
  6. Matthew 13:55
    “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
  7. Mark 6:3
    Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us as well?” And they took offense at Him.
  8. Mark 15:47
    Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where His body was placed.
  9. Luke 1:27
    …to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
  10. Luke 1:30
    So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
  11. Luke 1:31Referred to, not named
    Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
  12. Luke 1:34
    “How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
  13. Luke 1:35Referred to, not named
    The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.
  14. Luke 1:36Referred to, not named
    Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month.
  15. Luke 1:38
    “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
  16. Luke 1:39
    In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
  17. Luke 1:40Referred to, not named
    …where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
  18. Luke 1:41
    When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
  19. Luke 1:42Referred to, not named
    In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
  20. Luke 1:44Referred to, not named
    For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
  21. Luke 1:45Referred to, not named
    Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
  22. Luke 1:46
    Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
  23. Luke 1:47Referred to, not named
    …and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
  24. Luke 1:48Referred to, not named
    For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
  25. Luke 1:49Referred to, not named
    For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
  26. Luke 1:55Referred to, not named
    …as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
  27. Luke 1:56
    Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
  28. Luke 2:5
    He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.
  29. Luke 2:6Referred to, not named
    While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born.
  30. Luke 2:7Referred to, not named
    And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
  31. Luke 2:16
    So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.
  32. Luke 2:19
    But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
  33. Luke 2:34
    Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
  34. Luke 2:35Referred to, not named
    …so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”
  35. Luke 2:39Referred to, not named
    When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
  36. Acts 1:14
    With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.