Early 1st century · birth of Jesus around 6-4 BC
Mary, mother of Jesus in the Bible
The servant of the Lord. Name meaning: Greek form of the Hebrew Miriam, the name of the sister of Moses and Aaron (Exod 15:20); its exact meaning is disputed
Mary is the young virgin of Nazareth, betrothed to Joseph, whom God chose to bring his Son into the world by the power of the Holy Spirit. Her answer—“Behold the handmaid of the Lord” (Luke 1:38)—makes her a model of humble faith and obedience. From the manger to the cross, and then in the upper room, she follows Jesus with a heart that ponders the Word.
Key moments
- The angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to her Luke 1:30–31
- “Behold the handmaid of the Lord” Luke 1:38
- Mary’s song at Elizabeth’s house Luke 1:46–47
- Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem Luke 2:7
- Simeon: “a sword shall pierce through thy own soul” Luke 2:34–35
- At Cana: “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” John 2:5
- Entrusted to John at the foot of the cross John 19:26–27
- In prayer in the upper room Acts 1:14
Strengths
- Faith
- Humility
- Obedience
- Meditation on the Word
- Faithfulness in trial
Weaknesses
Mary did not always understand her son: at twelve, she and Joseph did not grasp his answer (Luke 2:50), and during his ministry she came with his brothers to take charge of him, when his relatives were saying he was “beside himself” (Mark 3:21, 31). She herself calls God “my Saviour” (Luke 1:47): her greatness comes from the grace she received, not from herself.
Lessons for today
- Say “yes” to God even when we do not understand everything: “be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38).
- Keep and ponder the Word in our hearts, especially in moments we do not yet understand (Luke 2:19, 51).
- Point others to Jesus, as at Cana: “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” (John 2:5).
- True happiness, according to Jesus, is to hear the word of God and keep it (Luke 11:28).
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
People around Mary, mother of Jesus
- Jesus — Her son, conceived by the Holy Spirit
- Joseph — Her betrothed and then husband, of the house of David
- Elizabeth — Her relative, mother of John the Baptist
- John the Baptist — Elizabeth’s son, who leaped at her greeting
- John — The disciple who took her into his home
Stories with Mary, mother of Jesus
Quiz: how well do you know Mary, mother of Jesus?
Which angel announces to Mary that she will be the mother of Jesus?
“The angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin… and the virgin’s name was Mary.” Luke 1:26–27
What words show Mary finally accepting the angel’s message?
After asking, “How shall this be?”, Mary says, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Luke 1:34–38
At Cana, what does Mary say to the servants?
After Jesus’ reply, “his mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” It is Jesus who has the pots filled. John 2:5
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.