In brief
Mary is the young woman of Nazareth to whom the angel Gabriel announces that she will bear the Son of the Most High, around 5 BC by the usual reckoning. Betrothed to Joseph, she answers that she is the servant of the Lord. She gives birth to Jesus in Bethlehem, follows her son to the cross and is with the disciples in Jerusalem after his resurrection.
What does the name Mary, mother of Jesus mean?
Mary renders the Hebrew name Miriam, whose meaning is debated. The Bible gives no explanation of it, and the suggestions come from the study of the language.
The story of Mary, mother of Jesus
The Angel's Announcement
Luke 1:26-38The angel Gabriel is sent to Nazareth to Mary, betrothed to Joseph. He announces that she will conceive a son, named Jesus, who will be called the Son of the Most High. Mary asks how this will happen. The angel answers that the Holy Spirit will come upon her. She says: I am the servant of the Lord.
Mary's Song
Luke 1:46-55Mary visits Elizabeth, who greets her as the mother of her Lord. She responds with a song of praise: her soul magnifies the Lord, and her spirit rejoices in God her Savior. She celebrates his grace toward the humble and his faithfulness to the promises made to Abraham.
The Birth in Bethlehem
Luke 2:1-20A census brings Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Mary gives birth to her firstborn son, wraps him in cloths and lays him in a manger. Shepherds come, warned by an angel, and tell what they were told. Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The Wedding at Cana
John 2:1-11At Cana, the wine runs out. Mary tells Jesus, then says to the servants: do whatever he tells you. Jesus has six jars filled with water, and the water becomes wine. This is the first sign of Jesus, by which he reveals his glory, and his disciples believe in him.
At the Foot of the Cross
John 19:25-27Mary stands near the cross of Jesus with other women and the disciple whom he loved. Jesus, seeing his mother, entrusts her to that disciple, saying: here is your mother. From that hour the disciple takes her into his home. Even in suffering, Jesus cares for his own.
What Mary, mother of Jesus teaches us
- Mary answers God with trust: I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.
- Praise is born from recognizing God's faithfulness to his promises.
- Doing whatever Jesus tells you remains the best advice Mary gives the servants at Cana.
- Mary is a woman of faith to imitate, but Scripture worships Jesus alone, not his mother.
Key verses
Mary answers the angel that she is the servant of the Lord and asks that everything happen according to his word. It is a model of humility and faith.
Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. This attitude of meditation shows a faith attentive to the works of God.
At Cana, Mary tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them. This simple advice remains valid for every believer.
Sermons about Mary, mother of Jesus
- The Annunciation: When God's Grace Disrupts YouA sermon on the announcement to Mary in Luke 1, and on a grace of God that can be disconcerting.
- Bible Readings for Christmas: Passages to Read with Family and at ChurchA selection of Christmas readings, including the texts of Luke 1 and 2 where Mary holds a central place.
- Joseph and the Angel's Dream: 4 Lessons for Your AdventA sermon on Joseph and the angel, which sheds light on the family context of Jesus' birth.
Frequently asked questions
Why did God choose Mary?
The angel greets her as a woman who has found favor with God, in Luke 1:30. The text speaks of grace, not of merit to be earned. Mary describes herself as a humble servant and celebrates in her song what God does for the lowly.
What does the name Mary mean?
Mary renders the Hebrew Miriam, whose meaning is debated: suggestions range from "bitter" to "beloved." The Bible gives no explanation of this name. It is best to stay cautious about its exact meaning.
Where can I find the story of Mary in the Bible?
She appears mainly in Matthew 1 and 2 and Luke 1 and 2 for the birth of Jesus, in John 2 at Cana and John 19 at the cross. Acts 1:14 mentions her among the disciples gathered in Jerusalem.