Mary (C. 18 BC-43-44 AD) was the mother of Jesus(Yeshua Bar-Yosef) . Christians believe that Mary was a virgin at the time of Jesus' birth, and that God sent the Holy Spirit to impregnate her during her marriage to Joseph Bar-Jacob ;( according to Catholic tradition, Mary - whom they believe was born without original sin i.e. the "Immaculate Conception, - remained a virgin for the rest of her life, and that she never died, but was bodily "assumed" into heaven.) Protestants believe that Mary remained a virgin until after she gave birth to Jesus. After she gave birth to Jesus, Mary and Joseph had children of their own. Four additional sons and at least two daughters, that she died and will rise again at the Return of the Lord.
Biography[]
A statue of Mary in Jersey City
Mary was born in Nazareth in the Galilee region of Israel, the daughter of Heli, she was of the house of David through David's son Nathan. Mary was betrothed to marry Joseph Bar-Jacob during her teens. One day, the angel Gabriel appeared Mary and announced her divine selection to be the mother of Jesus, the son of God. Mary was also told that her cousin Elizabeth would have a son in her old age. She conceived Jesus by the power of God The Holy Spirit overshadowing her, since she having been a virgin. She then accompanied her husband Joseph to Bethlehem in Judea, where Jesus was born in a house stable because there was no guest room available in the house. Eight days after Jesus was born, both her and Joseph took Jesus and had Him circumcised according to the Law of Moses, and He was given the name Jesus(Yeshua "God Saves"). Forty days after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to Jerusalem for Him to go through the Ordinance of Redemption of the first-born and Mary was to undergo the rites of purification after the mother gives birth to her first-born son. When they were leaving the Temple, they encountered an elderly man named Simeon who took the baby Jesus in his arms and blessed the child. He said "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace according to Your Word. For my own eyes have seen Your Salvation, a Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and to the glory of Your people Israel." After Simeon returns the young baby to His mother, Simeon had words of warning for her. "For Behold. This child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel and as a sign that will be spoken against. And a sword shall pierce your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." During a period of forty days after Jesus was born to up to two years, the young family were now living in a house in Bethlehem.
During this time they are visited by a group of Wise Men also known as Magi from the far east who was searching for the "One who had been born King of the Jews" for they saw His star in the East, and traveled West to find Him. They had arrived in Jerusalem to speak to King Herod to find out where the new King is supposed to be born. Herod sent the Magi to Bethlehem on the request that they return to Jerusalem to inform him exactly where the young child is living so that "I can go and worship Him too." However Herod only wanted to know the whereabouts of the Christ child in order to kill the young Jesus. When the Magi leaves Jerusalem, the star they followed reappeared to them and led them to Bethlehem to the house where the young family was living. When they entered the house, they found the young child and His mother and worshipped Him and gave Him gifts. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Afterwards they were warned in a dream to not return to Herod so they went to their home country by another way.
The family was forced to flee to Egypt after Joseph was warned in a dream that King Herod the Great planned to murder Jesus. They returned to Israel following Herod's death in 4 BC, and they then settled in Nazareth. Protestants believe that after they settled down in Nazareth, Mary and Joseph proceeded to have more children. Four additional sons James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas and at least two daughters who's names are unfortunately not known. When Jesus was twelve, Joseph and Mary took their family to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. Jesus was separated from his parents as they were returning from the Passover celebration in Jerusalem, and discovered that He was not with the family, or any kin, or anyone from Nazareth, they were a day away from Jerusalem and they searched for Jesus in Jerusalem for three days. Jesus was found in the Temple among the religious teachers listening and asking them questions. Relieved but very upset, Mary approaches her Son and asked Him "Son why have you done this to us!? Your father and I were looking for you anxiously". To which Jesus responded, "Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" Eighteen years later Jesus would leave Mary with His siblings and become an itinerant preacher. After Jesus returned from the wilderness of Judea and started gathering followers, Jesus and His disciples Andrew, Peter, James and John, Philip and Nathaniel (Bartholomew) were invited to a wedding party in Cana in Galilee.
Mary and His Siblings were there celebrating and when the head of the family coordinating the wedding ran out of wine, Mary suggested that Jesus could do something about it. Jesus firmly but lovingly rebuked her informing her "Woman. What do you and I have to do with this? My hour has not yet come." Mary approaches the servants and tells them "Do whatever He tells you." Jesus performed His first ever miracle turning water into wine.
During Jesus' ministry Mary and His siblings would try to approach Jesus to bring Him home to Nazareth because some family members were saying that "Jesus is out of His mind." When informed that His mother and brothers were outside wanting to see Him Jesus responds "Who are my mother and who are my brothers? (Jesus then points at His disciples)Behold My mother and My brothers! Whoever does the will of My Father in Heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Another time as Jesus was teaching a woman in the crowd says to Jesus "Blessed is the woman who bore you and the breasts that nursed you!" Jesus responds "On the contrary, even more blessed are those who hear the Word of God, and obey it!"
Jesus was condemned to die by crucifixion by order of Pontius Pilate Prefect of Judea. At the Crucifixion of Jesus, Mary was present along with the women who followed Him from Galilee including Mary of Magdala, Mary the wife of Cleopas and Salome. Also with her was the Apostle John. As Jesus was dying on the Cross He entrusted the care of His mother to His disciple John. Where His brothers were is unknown, but Jesus entrusted Mary into John's care. When Jesus died and was taken down from the cross Mary cradled her first-born son in her arms and cried.
After Jesus was raised from the dead, He appeared to the women who followed Him including Her, He appeared to His disciples and to His siblings especially James (James The Just) Mary and her other children who are now believers, became early Christians. (According to Catholic tradition, Mary was later assumed into heaven, being taken bodily into the afterlife. Catholics believe that she died without sin and died a virgin, and that she became the Queen of Heaven alongside her son.)
After Acts of the Apostles chapter one, there is no mention of Mary though it is highly possible that Mary accompanied John on his Evangelism journeys and died in 43-44 A.D. possibly in Ephesus. Or it is also possible that she remained in Jerusalem and worshipped her Son with her children until her death.
Gallery[]
