Mary, the mother of Jesus, occupies a central position in the narrative of Christ’s birth, as recorded in the Gospels. She is described as a young woman highly favored by Jehovah and chosen to bear the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Luke 1:28). Through this divine act, she becomes an essential participant in God’s redemptive plan for humanity. However, beyond the pivotal role she played as the mother of Jesus, many questions arise about her life, her status, and her veneration, especially within various religious traditions.
The most reliable source of information about Mary comes from the Bible itself, and when interpreting her life and role, we must carefully examine the inspired Scriptures. The questions we seek to answer include: What lessons can we learn from Mary’s example? Was she truly a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus? Did Mary have other children after Jesus? And should Mary be venerated or honored in ways that align with Roman Catholic tradition, or is such adoration contrary to biblical teaching?
Lessons from Mary’s Example in Scripture
The account of Mary in the Bible provides us with several valuable lessons about her character and her response to God’s will.
When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and informed her that she would conceive and bear a son, she was initially troubled and confused, as this was an unprecedented event (Luke 1:29-30). Nevertheless, after receiving the angel’s explanation, Mary responded in humble submission, saying, “I am Jehovah’s slave. Let it happen to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). This demonstrates Mary’s willingness to listen to God’s message and trust Him, even when the circumstances seemed impossible or challenging.
The Bible also emphasizes Mary’s courage and faith in the face of potential social consequences. As an unmarried young woman, becoming pregnant would have subjected her to scorn and possible punishment under the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). Yet Mary’s faith in Jehovah’s plan gave her the strength to move forward, trusting that He would protect and guide her. This is a profound example of acting in harmony with God’s will, even when the personal risks are high.
Moreover, Mary’s devotion to spiritual matters is highlighted in Luke 2:41 and Acts 1:14. It was not required for Jewish women to accompany their husbands to Jerusalem for the Passover each year, yet Mary made this journey, demonstrating her deep commitment to spiritual obligations. This level of devotion is something believers today can learn from as they prioritize their relationship with God above worldly concerns.
Was Mary Truly a Virgin When She Gave Birth to Jesus?
One of the foundational doctrines concerning Mary is the belief that she was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus. The Bible affirms this truth in several passages. In Luke 1:26-31, the angel Gabriel explicitly told Mary, a virgin, that she would conceive and bear a son. Mary, perplexed by this, responded, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). Gabriel then explained that her conception would be a miraculous act of Jehovah, brought about by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35).
This miraculous virgin birth was foretold centuries earlier by the prophet Isaiah, who declared, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). The fulfillment of this prophecy is confirmed in Matthew 1:22-23, where it is recorded that Mary’s virginity at the time of Jesus’ conception fulfilled the words spoken by the prophet.
The Bible does not leave room for doubt regarding the virgin birth of Jesus. It was not through natural means, but by the direct action of Jehovah, that Mary conceived. This was essential to fulfill the role of Jesus as the sinless Savior, born of a woman, yet without the inherited sin of Adam (Hebrews 4:15). The Bible testifies to the miraculous and divine nature of Jesus’ conception, and this was a one-time event in redemptive history.
Did Mary Remain a Virgin After Jesus’ Birth?
A commonly debated question is whether Mary remained a perpetual virgin after the birth of Jesus or whether she had other children. Some religious traditions assert that Mary remained a virgin for her entire life, a belief often referred to as the doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity. However, the biblical record suggests otherwise.
Matthew 13:53-56 provides a clear indication that Jesus had siblings: “When Jesus had finished these parables, he left there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?’ they asked. ‘Isn't this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us?’” This passage names four brothers of Jesus and mentions His sisters, indicating that Mary had other children after Jesus.
The Greek words used in the passage, adelphoi (brothers) and adelphai (sisters), refer to literal siblings, not cousins or relatives. In fact, when the New Testament writers referred to relatives who were not immediate family, they used the word syngenes, meaning “kinsmen” or “relatives,” as seen in Luke 1:36. The clear implication of the text is that these were full biological siblings of Jesus, born to Mary and Joseph after Jesus’ birth.
Thus, the doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity is not supported by Scripture. The Bible presents Mary as a faithful woman who fulfilled her role as the mother of Jesus, and afterward, she and Joseph had a normal marital relationship that resulted in the birth of other children.
Should Mary Be Venerated or Prayed To?
The veneration of Mary, including the practice of praying to her as an intercessor, is a significant aspect of Roman Catholic tradition. However, from a biblical perspective, there is no basis for addressing prayers to Mary or any other human intercessor.
Jesus Himself taught His disciples how to pray, and His instructions were clear: “Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name’” (Matthew 6:9). Jesus never directed His followers to pray to Mary or any other saint. Instead, He emphasized that prayer should be directed to the Father in His name (John 14:13-14). The New Testament consistently teaches that Jesus is the sole mediator between God and humanity: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
Furthermore, Scripture affirms that Jesus, as the High Priest of believers, is fully capable of understanding our weaknesses and making intercession for us before the Father (Hebrews 4:14-16). There is no need for additional intermediaries when Jesus, the sinless Son of God, is already our advocate (1 John 2:1).
The practice of praying to Mary or other saints not only lacks biblical support but also detracts from the unique mediatorial role of Christ. Prayers should be directed to Jehovah through Jesus alone, as He is the one who provides access to the Father (John 14:6).
The Veneration of Mary and the Use of Images
Another common practice associated with the veneration of Mary is the use of statues, icons, or images in worship. The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) explicitly encouraged the veneration of images of Mary, stating that the “cult of the Blessed Virgin” should be fostered, and that images of Mary should be used in devotion. However, this practice stands in direct opposition to the clear commands of Scripture.
The Bible prohibits the making and veneration of images for religious purposes. In Exodus 20:4-5, Jehovah commands, “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them.” This prohibition against idolatry extends to all forms of images, whether of Mary, Jesus, or any other figure.
The use of images in worship not only violates the biblical command against idolatry but also misrepresents the nature of true worship. Jesus declared that “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Worship must be based on truth as revealed in God’s Word, not on physical representations or images that distort the spiritual reality of Jehovah.
Did Mary Ascend to Heaven in the Flesh?
Another dogma related to Mary is the belief in her bodily assumption into heaven, a teaching proclaimed by Pope Pius XII in 1950. According to this doctrine, Mary was taken up into heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life. However, this belief is not found in Scripture and has no biblical foundation.
The Bible teaches that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable” (1 Corinthians 15:50). This means that physical bodies, which are subject to decay, cannot enter into heaven. Jesus Himself, after His resurrection, became “a life-giving spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45), and the angels are described as spirits (Hebrews 1:14).
The notion that Mary ascended to heaven in her physical body is inconsistent with the biblical teaching that the resurrection of the dead involves a transformation into a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). There is no scriptural evidence to suggest that Mary was granted an exception to this principle. The doctrine of her bodily assumption is a later tradition, not a truth revealed in God’s Word.
Was Mary Sinless and Immaculately Conceived?
Another belief associated with Mary is the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, which holds that Mary was conceived without original sin. This doctrine was defined as dogma by Pope Pius IX in 1854, and it asserts that Mary was preserved from the stain of original sin from the moment of her conception. However, the Bible teaches that all humans, with the exception of Jesus Christ, are born in sin and are in need of redemption.
Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and Romans 5:12 explains that sin entered the world through Adam, and death spread to all men because all sinned. Mary, like all humans, was born with a sinful nature inherited from Adam. In fact, the Bible records that Mary, in accordance with the Mosaic Law, offered a sin offering after the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:22-24). This indicates that she recognized her need for purification, just as any other human being under the Law would.
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is not taught in Scripture and is a later development in church tradition. The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ alone was born without sin, making Him the perfect sacrifice for the redemption of humanity (Hebrews 4:15).
The Biblical Perspective on Mary
While Mary is certainly honored in Scripture for her role as the mother of Jesus, the Bible does not support the veneration or worship of her. She is described as a humble servant of Jehovah, chosen to bear the Messiah, but she is never elevated to a position of divine status or given a mediatorial role. Jesus Himself did not place undue emphasis on His relationship with Mary, but rather emphasized the importance of obedience to God’s Word (Luke 11:27-28).
Mary’s example of faith, obedience, and humility is one that all believers can admire and seek to imitate. However, we must be careful not to ascribe to her a role that Scripture does not assign. Our worship and prayers are to be directed to Jehovah alone, through Jesus Christ, the one true mediator between God and man.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY
Explore the search for the real Jesus through ancient texts and scholarly insights.
Explore supposed sightings of the Virgin Mary throughout history. Are these divine interventions or something else? Discover the truth.
RECOMMENDED READING FOR CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS AND EVANGELISM
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: for Pastors, Teachers, and Believers
CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: Answering the Tough Questions: Evidence and Reason in Defense of the Faith
REASON MEETS FAITH: Addressing and Refuting Atheism's Challenges to Christianity
BATTLE PLANS: A Game Plan for Answering Objections to the Christian Faith
CREATION AND COSMOS A Journey Through Creation, Science, and the Origins of Life
ANSWERING THE CRITICS: Defending God's Word Against Modern Skepticism
IS THE BIBLE REALLY THE WORD OF GOD?: Is Christianity the One True Faith?
DEFENDING OLD TESTAMENT AUTHORSHIP: The Word of God Is Authentic and True
YOUR GUIDE FOR DEFENDING THE BIBLE: Self-Education of the Bible Made Easy
THE BIBLE ON TRIAL: Examining the Evidence for Being Inspired, Inerrant, Authentic, and True
THE HISTORICAL JESUS: The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
THE HISTORICAL ADAM & EVE: Reconciling Faith and Fact in Genesis
UNSHAKABLE BELIEFS: Strategies for Strengthening and Defending Your Faith
BIBLICAL CRITICISM: What are Some Outstanding Weaknesses of Modern Historical Criticism?
THE CHRISTIAN APOLOGIST: Always Being Prepared to Make a Defense
THE EVANGELISM HANDBOOK: How All Christians Can Effectively Share God’s Word in Their Community
Comments