MARY IN THE BIBLE
The article below is all biblical events with Mary and virtually all quotes about Mary – the mother of Jesus. We believe that the Bible (compared to apocrypha, legends, theological theories, visions, dreams, revelations) is certainly a true source of information and a solid foundation of the Christian faith, from which one must begin shaping religious views and professed theology.
MARY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Verses in the Bible about Mary around the birth of Jesus
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
[Matthew 1:18-25 NKJV]
[Luke, 1:26-56 NKJV]
[Luke 2:5-7 NKJV]
[Luke 2:16-19 NKJV]
[Luke 2:25-35 NKJV]
[Luke, 2:48-51 ESV]
Biblical facts about Mary part 1:
1. Mary had a husband.
2. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit when Mary was a virgin.
3. Joseph didn’t lay with his wife until she gave birth to Jesus (what’s the point of this section if he didn’t lay with his wife later as well?)
4. Jesus was Mary’s firstborn son (why the word firstborn if Jesus had no siblings?).
5. Mary was definitely a God-fearing, God-obedient woman. Mary understands her need to be saved by God.
6. Mary received a great grace that God chose her to be the mother of Jesus.
7. Mary did not understand God’s plan for Jesus Christ at first.
8. The prophet Simeon prophesied that Mary too would not be able to remain indifferent to her faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. (“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12)
Intervention of Mary and the family of Jesus
And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
[Mark 3:20-21 + 31-35 ESV]
[Matthew 12:46-50 ESV]
[Luke 8:19-21 ESV]
Biblical facts about Mary part 2:
1. Mary and the “earthly” family of the Lord Jesus did not understand the situation related to the beginning of His Work at the beginning. Jesus so far lived simply, did not pay attention to his person. Suddenly, he begins to preach about the Kingdom of God, points to himself as the Son of God, heals the sick, casts out demons, performs many miracles, crowds flock to him!
2. Mary and her family thought that Jesus went out of his mind and decided to intervene.
3. Jesus (probably knowing their intention) did not care about his earthly family in this situation, but pointed out that it is not blood ties, but the fulfillment of God’s Will makes someone is His relative. At that time, Jesus was no longer for His relatives, first of all (only) a brother, son, cousin, grandson. The Lord Jesus must be God, Lord, Savior, Messiah for everyone. Blood ties, acquaintance from school, neighborhood did not exempt people from repentance and following the Lord Jesus in order to be saved.
Other verses about Mary from the Bible
(…)This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.
[John 2:1-5+11-12 ESV]
[Mark 6:3 ESV]
[Luke 11:27-28 ESV]
[John 19:25-27 ESV]
And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
[Acts 1:13-14 ESV]
Biblical facts about Mary part 3:
1. Mary probably had other children (unless they were nephews or adopted children). About brothers or sisters we read: John 2:12; Mark 6:3; Acts 1:14; Mark 3:31; Matthew 12:46; Lu 8:19; Galatians 1:19
2. Mary believed that Jesus could perform a miracle. Jesus listened to his mother’s request.
3. Jesus did not exalt Mary because of being his “earthly” mother. Again, he indicated that it was important to him to listen to God’s Word ( to Him).
4. Mary was under the cross. Jesus took care of Mary after His departure. The apostle John took her thereafter.
5. Mary, the mother of Jesus (and certainly part of His earthly family) believed in Him and was His disciples. They stayed with other disciples in the community after His Resurrection.
6. On the pages of the Bible, Jesus addresses Mary twice, in both cases he calls her “woman”.
MARY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
- Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
- Micah 5:3 “Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.”
MARY IN THE BIBLE - CONCLUSIONS
The figure of Mary does not appear in any of the letters of the New Testament (didactic – teaching books) and only mentioned in chapter 1 of the Book of Acts.
Jesus, nor his disciple, apostle or angel anywhere in the Bible indicated its special role in the process of man’s reaching salvation (read what salvation is).