Mary, mother of Jesus
First-century Jewish woman, mother of Jesus, venerated in multiple faiths.
Mary, a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, was the wife of Joseph and the mother of Jesus. The synoptic Gospels identify her as Jesus’ mother, while the Gospels of Matthew and Luke describe her as a virgin who conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit by divine choice. She gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem and, together with Joseph, raised him in Nazareth in Galilee. She was present at Jesus’ crucifixion in Jerusalem and remained with the apostles after his ascension. Although the Bible does not detail her later life, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions hold that her body was taken into heaven at the end of her earthly life—an event known in Western Christianity as the Assumption of Mary and in Eastern Christianity as the Dormition of the Mother of God. Mary has been venerated since early Christianity and is often regarded as the holiest and greatest saint. Christian traditions vary in their Mariology and devotional practices; the Catholic Church and some Oriental Orthodox churches affirm distinctive Marian dogmas, including her Immaculate Conception and bodily assumption. Many Protestants view her role as consistent with Scripture, while Lutheran confessions teach her virgin birth, the title Theotokos, and perpetual virginity. In Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, and Methodist churches, Mary is honored as the Mother of God. The Church of the East historically used the term Christotokos, which remains in its liturgy. In Islam, Mary holds the highest position among all women and is frequently mentioned in the Quran, including a chapter named after her. She is also revered in the Baháʼí and Druze faiths. Devotions to Mary include prayers, hymns, feast days, veneration of images and relics, churches dedicated to her, and pilgrimages to Marian shrines. Numerous Marian apparitions and miracles attributed to her intercession have been reported. She has been a traditional subject in Byzantine, medieval, and Renaissance art.
- Born
- First century, Nazareth
- Nationality
- Jewish
- Known for
- Mother of Jesus
- Field
- Religion
- Titles
- Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Theotokos, Queen of Heaven
Lore & Background
The synoptic Gospels name Mary as the mother of Jesus. The gospels of Matthew and Luke describe Mary as a virgin who was chosen by God to conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit. After giving birth to Jesus in Bethlehem, she and her husband Joseph raised him in the city of Nazareth in Galilee, and she was in Jerusalem at his crucifixion and with the apostles after his ascension. Although her later life is not accounted in the Bible, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions believe that her body was raised into heaven at the end of her earthly life, known in Western Christianity as the Assumption of Mary and in Eastern Christianity as the Dormition of the Mother of God. Mary's name in the original manuscripts of the New Testament was based on her original Hebrew name מרים (Miryam), transliterated as Maryam or Mariam. The English name Mary comes from the Greek Μαρία, a shortened form of the name Μαριάμ. Both Μαρία and Μαριάμ appear in the New Testament. In Christianity, Mary is commonly referred to as the Virgin Mary, in accordance with the belief that the Holy Spirit impregnated her, thereby conceiving her first-born son Jesus miraculously, without sexual relations with her betrothed Joseph, 'until her son [Jesus] was born.' The word 'until' has inspired considerable analysis on whether Joseph and Mary produced siblings after the birth of Jesus or not.
Reader's Guide
Mary has been venerated since early Christianity, and is often considered to be the holiest and greatest saint. There is a certain diversity in the Mariology and devotional practices of major Christian traditions. The Catholic Church and some Oriental Orthodox Churches hold distinctive Marian dogmas, namely her Immaculate Conception and her bodily assumption into heaven. Many Protestants hold various views of Mary's role that they perceive as being in accordance with the Scriptures. The Confessions of the Lutheran Churches have taught the virgin birth, Theotokos, and perpetual virginity. The multiple forms of Marian devotions include various prayers and hymns, the celebration of several Marian feast days in liturgy, the veneration of images and relics, the construction of churches dedicated to her and pilgrimages to Marian shrines. Many Marian apparitions and miracles attributed to her intercession have been reported by believers over the centuries. She has been a traditional subject in arts, notably in Byzantine art, medieval art and Renaissance art. In Islam, Mary is known as Maryam, mother of Isa, and is often referred to by the honorific title 'Sayyidatuna', meaning 'Our Lady'. She is also called 'Siddiqah', 'Qānitah', and 'Tahira'. The title 'queen of heaven' had previously been used as an epithet for a number of goddesses, such as Isis, or Ishtar.
Did You Know?
- Mary is mentioned numerous times in the Quran, including in a chapter (surah) named after her.
- The title 'queen of heaven' had previously been used as an epithet for goddesses such as Isis or Ishtar.
- The earliest New Testament account of Mary is in the epistle to the Galatians, where she is referred to as 'a woman' and is not named.
- In the Gospel of John, the adult Jesus addresses Mary as 'Woman', which in Koine Greek was not disrespectful and could even be tender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mary, mother of Jesus?
Mary was a first-century Jewish woman from Nazareth who became the wife of Joseph and the biological mother of Jesus. She occupies a central place in Christian tradition as the one through whom the Incarnation took place.
What titles is Mary, mother of Jesus known by?
She is venerated under names such as Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Theotokos, and Queen of Heaven. Many of these honorifics appear in the Litany of Loreto, a traditional prayer used in Catholic devotion.
How is Mary, mother of Jesus regarded outside of Christianity?
In Islam she holds the highest rank among all women and is referenced throughout the Quran, including in a surah that bears her name. She is also honored in the Baháʼí and Druze faiths as a figure of great spiritual significance.
Why is Mary, mother of Jesus important in Christian theology?
She is central to the doctrine of the Incarnation, as the one who conceived and bore Jesus, the Son of God. Her role as Theotokos (Mother of God) became a key point of early church councils, particularly at Ephesus in 431 AD.
Where and when was Mary, mother of Jesus born?
She was born in the first century in Nazareth, a small town in Galilee. Her Jewish heritage and connection to that region are consistent with the Gospel accounts that place her early life there.
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