Biblical Basis for Mary's Perpetual Virginity

[joe370]

It’s not a matter of debunking anything. You can’t prove from scripture that the brothers of Jesus were no one else’s but his half brother’s. You certainly can’t explain where the sisters came from although the Greek used there Adelphoi/Adelphos means from the same womb. Now we both know that they also can be used to refer to brothers as you and I are brothers in Christ even though I don’t think we are related. But when the Greek is written to refer to family and Adelphos/Adelphoi is used there can only be one interpretation. That they are actually family members.

So if I say this is my Adelphos/Adelphoi referring to my brother or sister then it is an actual blood relative. If I say my Adelphos/Adelphoi in Christ, then certainly I’m being general. But in Mark’s Gospel it’s not written this way.

Yes I can, prove from scripture that the brothers and sisters of Jesus “were no one else’s but his half brother’s.” Use the article against me, not things like, “But when the Greek is written to refer to family and Adelphos/Adelphoi is used there can only be one interpretation. That they are actually family members.” That is not the basis for his argument in the article, and you are incorrect in you suppositions.

“So if I say this is my Adelphos/Adelphoi referring to my brother or sister then it is an actual blood relative. If I say my Adelphos/Adelphoi in Christ, then certainly I’m being general. But in Mark’s Gospel it’s not written this way.”

Mt 7:3 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? This certainly isn’t a reference to someone’s actual blood relative, so where is the “in Christ” part???

1Co 1:10 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
“NowI beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” No blood relation and no, brethren in the name of Christ.

Many many more examples can be provided!

See Greek Lexicon below…
studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=80

 

[joe370]

studylight.org/lex/grk/frequency.cgi?number=80&book=1co&translation=str

The KJV Strong’s Version - 35 Verses

Here is a whole bunch!!!

1Co 1:1 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

1Co 1:10 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
NowI beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1Co 1:11 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

1Co 1:26 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

1Co 2:1 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And I, brethren, whenI came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

1Co 3:1 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

1Co 4:6 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And these things, brethren,I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

1Co 5:11 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
But nowI have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

1Co 6:5 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

1Co 6:6 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

1Co 6:8 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

1Co 7:12 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

1Co 7:15 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

1Co 7:24 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

1Co 7:29 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
But thisI say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

1Co 8:11 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

1Co 8:12 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

1Co 8:13 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lestI make my brother to offend.

1Co 9:5 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

1Co 10:1 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Moreover, brethren,I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

1Co 11:2 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
NowI praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, asI delivered them to you.

1Co 11:33 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

1Co 12:1 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren,I would not have you ignorant.

1Co 14:6 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Now, brethren, ifI come unto you speaking with tongues, what shallI profit you, exceptI shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

1Co 14:20 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

1Co 14:26 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

1Co 14:39 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

1Co 15:1 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Moreover, brethren,I declare unto you the gospel whichI preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

1Co 15:6 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

1Co 15:50 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Now thisI say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

1Co 15:58 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1Co 16:11 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: forI look for him with the brethren.

1Co 16:12 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
As touching our brother Apollos,I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

1Co 16:15 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

1Co 16:20 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

 

[AgnosTheist]

You folks are suggesting that Mary took the vow of abstinence before meeting the angel.

WHY WOULD SHE DO THAT?

And why would a jewish man marry a girl who refuses to fulfill the jewish obligation of producing an heir?

And why would mary get engaged if she had no intention of becoming a mother? Dont tell me she only wanted a sugar daddy.

senseles. senseless.

 

[joe370]

You folks are suggesting that Mary took the vow of abstinence before meeting the angel.

WHY WOULD SHE DO THAT?

And why would a jewish man marry a girl who refuses to fulfill the jewish obligation of producing an heir?

And why would mary get engaged if she had no intention of becoming a mother? Dont tell me she only wanted a sugar daddy.

senseles. senseless.

Do a little historical digging before you make a final decision; you are viewing things from a 21st century perspective.

timeimmortal.net/2008/03/13/mary-was-a-perpetual-virgin-by-the-numbers/

Use this as your launching pad into the 1st century customs and rites and even beyond that century, or don’t.

 

[NDfan]

Luke 1:30-35 (New International Version)

"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. **“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” **

**At this point, I am quite sure Mary knows how to make a baby with Joseph in the near future, making this question ridiculous, unless, (a) her obstetrician said she was barren, not able to bear children or (b) she had taken a vow of celibacy. I think I’ll opt for (b), it seems to make the most sense. If she wasn’t planning to take on a life long vow of celibacy, her normal response would be something like, yeah I know, I am married to Joseph and we are planning to have a family, thank you so much for this Divinely, marvellous news; don’t you think? **

Ok the first problem with this interpretation is it is paraphrased and doesn’t hold to the original Greek. I’ve explained this 2 other times in this thread but I’ll explain it to you.

The original Greek is written in the past tense and is properly translated as “How can this be since I have not known a man”, the word used there for man is the Greek transliterated word Aner which when used by a woman who is married or in this case betrothed means husband. So the exact interpretation of this verse in English is “How can this be since I have not had sex with my husband?” Mary knows that her and Joseph will not have sex until after the Jewish take home ceremony which was the custom of this time. The Angel is speaking to her in present tense making it seem it will be immediate. This is why we read that Mary ran off to Elizabeth in sort of a frenzy.

NIV writes it in the fashion they do to assert the point that Mary was a virgin when she conceived. That’s a major belief we have as Christians.

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God.
**Here she finds out that her vow of life long celibacy can still remain intact, since no seed of a mere man is required. **It’s is a gift from God!

Show me where any canonical Gospel states that Mary took a vow of virginity. Also if she did then why doesn’t Matthew write the story that way? Why does he write the story that she violated their contract instead of her vow of virginity? If she took a vow of virginity then the matter would have been out of Joseph’s hands.

If you had the chance to create your mother, wouldn’t you make her sinless?" If you were Joseph, knowing that God chose your wife to bring God into this world, wouldn’t you view your wife as the most unique, inimitable vessel in all of history, and perhaps shy away from your normal husbandry duties? REALLY, think about it for a minute.

First GOD wasn’t creating HIS mother. HE was creating an earthly mother for HIS Son. Mary being sinless is another argument I can easily debunk but that’s another thread.

And I certainly have thought about for 40 years as a devout Roman Catholic. I don’t agree with your’s or their deductions and when we read Matthew the Angel tells Joseph to proceed with the marriage which he does. But given that Mary is still pregnant after the Jewish take home ceremony they can’t have sex until after she gives birth to Jesus.

The bottom line is this. I believe Mary could have had more children based on the Gospels. But I don’t worry about it because if she did no big deal. If she didn’t again no big deal. The RCC seems to fall on their swords over this making a huge deal if someone even tries to say Mary had more children.

But answer this for me as it pertains to your article. We know Jesus brothers didn’t believe in Him so who are the brothers Jesus is speaking to before he proceeds to the Feast of Booths in John 7? Verse 5 states: For not even his brothers believed in him. Who are these brothers that do not believe?? John is referring to specific people here again using the Greek word Adelphos. It can’t be a generic group of people because in verse 3 His brothers Adelphos, tell him to go to the feast so that Jesus disciples will see His works. If you know Greek then you will know that when the word Adelphos is written in this context it means blood brothers.

 

[joe370]

So if I say this is my Adelphos/Adelphoi referring to my brother or sister then it is an actual blood relative. If I say my Adelphos/Adelphoi in Christ, then certainly I’m being general. But in Mark’s Gospel it’s not written this way.

They could be, 1. his brothers by blood or 2. having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman, which is what the article proves. Believe it, don’t believe it; it’s your journey, not mine.

God bless…

**The New Testament Greek Lexicon

Strong’s Number: 80 a)delfo/v
Original Word Word Origin
a)delfo/v from (1) (as a connective particle) and delphus (the womb)
Transliterated Word Phonetic Spelling
Adelphos ad-el-fos’
Parts of Speech TDNT
Noun Masculine 1:144,22
Definition

1. a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother
2. having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman
3. any fellow or man
4. a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection
5. an associate in employment or office
6. brethren in Christ
   1. his brothers by blood
   2. all men
   3. apostles
   4. Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place

Mr 1:19 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

Mr 3:17 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

Mr 3:31 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

Mr 3:32 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

Mr 3:33 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

Mr 3:34 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!**

 

[AgnosTheist]

Do a little historical digging before you make a final decision; you are viewing things from a 21st century perspective.

timeimmortal.net/2008/03/13/mary-was-a-perpetual-virgin-by-the-numbers/

Use this as your launching pad into the 1st century customs and rites and even beyond that century, or don’t.

i am not unfamiliar with ancient customs. i’m not unfamiliar with old testament practices either, but i have never heard of an israelite woman taking a vow of sexual abstinence.

please enlighten me.

 

[Chaldean_Rite]

The question is valid because she wasnt married.

She was betrothed, something much stronger than engagment. In Jewish times, it was not uncommon to have already had sexual relations before the marriage.

Common sense suggests that young people dont think much about the future. And mary was very young. Around 14?.

In the middle east, this was and very much still is a normal age for marriage. In fact, those 14 year olds are much more mature than what you would take a 14 year old american girl to be.

Common sense asks, WHY THE HELL would Mary take such an alleged vow before realizing what was happening???

You folks are trying to force your interpretation into it. Mary did not take a vow according to that verse.

You should look into how ancient the idea of celibacy is and what consecrated Virginity is about. You can start here.

The fact, is, agnostheist, is EVERYONE, believed Mary was and still is a Virgin up until modern, heretical, rebellious times.

Its not about a particular verse saying she was a virgin, although a very strong argument can be made without looking at history: its about the Authority of the Church, Tradition, and what the rest of SCRIPTURE says about the august Virgin.

 

[NDfan]

Yes I can, prove from scripture that the brothers and sisters of Jesus “were no one else’s but his half brother’s.” Use the article against me, not things like, “But when the Greek is written to refer to family and Adelphos/Adelphoi is used there can only be one interpretation. That they are actually family members.” That is not the basis for his argument in the article, and you are incorrect in you suppositions.

No I am not incorrect. I am very correct here in interpreting the Greek properly. You can’t interpret the Greek out of context because it leads to false interpretations. This is the problem with the article in addition to too many assumptions being made by the author. Then the author uses questions to try and make a point such as how can a carpenter support multiple children?

“So if I say this is my Adelphos/Adelphoi referring to my brother or sister then it is an actual blood relative. If I say my Adelphos/Adelphoi in Christ, then certainly I’m being general. But in Mark’s Gospel it’s not written this way.”

Mt 7:3 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? This certainly isn’t a reference to someone’s actual blood relative, so where is the “in Christ” part???

Joe let’s keep it in context here. I used in Christ as an example. I didn’t say that’s the only way the Greek word Adelphos can be used universally. Certainly there are many instances in the Gospels where Adelphos/Adelphoi are used universally. But in Greek when referring to your sister or brother using that term it is purely a blood relative from the same father, mother, or both. No disrespect but you need more education here.

1Co 1:10 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
“NowI beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” No blood relation and no, brethren in the name of Christ.

Many many more examples can be provided!

See Greek Lexicon below…
studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=80

I don’t need more examples. I understand it completely but the bottom line is you can’t make a general assumption based on your scripture citings. You have to understand how Greek is written to get the full meaning of the text. You are arguing a point which is irrevelant.

 

[NDfan]

So if I say this is my Adelphos/Adelphoi referring to my brother or sister then it is an actual blood relative. If I say my Adelphos/Adelphoi in Christ, then certainly I’m being general. But in Mark’s Gospel it’s not written this way.

They could be, 1. his brothers by blood or 2. having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman, which is what the article proves. Believe it, don’t believe it; it’s your journey, not mine.

God bless…

**The New Testament Greek Lexicon

Strong’s Number: 80 a)delfo/v
Original Word Word Origin
a)delfo/v from (1) (as a connective particle) and delphus (the womb)
Transliterated Word Phonetic Spelling
Adelphos ad-el-fos’
Parts of Speech TDNT
Noun Masculine 1:144,22
Definition

1. a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother
2. having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman
3. any fellow or man
4. a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection
5. an associate in employment or office
6. brethren in Christ
   1. his brothers by blood
   2. all men
   3. apostles
   4. Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place

Mr 1:19 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

Mr 3:17 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

Mr 3:31 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

Mr 3:32 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

Mr 3:33 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

Mr 3:34 - [In Context|Read Chapter|Original Greek]
And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!**

You can’t just throw out a bunch of definitions and then think you made a point. Multiple definitions exist depending on how the word is used in a sentence. Again I would suggest going to Bible college and studying Greek to understand what I am talking about.

 

[AgnosTheist]

In the middle east, this was and very much still is a normal age for marriage. In fact, those 14 year olds are much more mature than what you would take a 14 year old american girl to be.

its the youth itself, not the culture, that makes young people focus on the present.

The answer was valid because a very young Mary was obviously thinking about her present situation. How can she become pregnant when she did not have sex with anyone.

You should look into how ancient the idea of celibacy is and what consecrated Virginity is about. You can start here.

a bunch of pictures greeted me. i’m looking for examples of ancient israelite girls taking a vow of abstinence. can you show one?

The fact, is, agnostheist, is EVERYONE, believed Mary was and still is a Virgin up until modern, heretical, rebellious times.

this discussion is about what mary did before. not what people believed after. traditions have been proven false before.

She was betrothed, something much stronger than engagment. In Jewish times, it was not uncommon to have already had sexual relations before the marriage.

thats true. thats still no evidence that mary took a vow.

 

[Chaldean_Rite]

its the youth itself, not the culture, that makes young people focus on the present.

The answer was valid because a very young Mary was obviously thinking about her present situation. How can she become pregnant when she did not have sex with anyone.

a bunch of pictures greeted me. i’m looking for examples of ancient israelite girls taking a vow of abstinence. can you show one?

this discussion is about what mary did before. not what people believed after. traditions have been proven false before.

In case anyone forgot to read:

How to Explain the Perpetual Virginity of Mary

 

[Chaldean_Rite]

this discussion is about what mary did before. not what people believed after. traditions have been proven false before.

Yeah, YOUR RIGHT, and EVERYONE ELSE is wrong!

 

[AgnosTheist]

In case anyone forgot to read:

How to Explain the Perpetual Virginity of Mary

says:
*"Why is she betrothed to Joseph if she made a vow of virginity?"

Consecrated virginity was not common among first century Jews, but it did exist. According to some early Christian documents, such as the Protoevangelium of James (written around A.D. 120), Mary was a consecrated virgin. As such, when she reached puberty, her monthly cycle would render her ceremonially unclean and thus unable to dwell in the temple without defiling it under the Mosaic Law. At this time, she would be entrusted to a male guardian. However, since it was forbidden for a man to live with a woman he was not married or related to, the virgin would be wed to the guardian, and they would have no marital relations.*

This is about biblical evidences. NOT traditional opinions.

Is consecrated virginity biblical?

 

[AgnosTheist]

Yeah, YOUR RIGHT, and EVERYONE ELSE is wrong!

Im just trying to stay on topic here. Is there biblical basis for mary’s perpetual virginity?

 

[Chaldean_Rite]

says:
"Why is she betrothed to Joseph if she made a vow of virginity?"

Consecrated virginity was not common among first century Jews, but it did exist. According to some early Christian documents, such as the Protoevangelium of James (written around A.D. 120), Mary was a consecrated virgin. As such, when she reached puberty, her monthly cycle would render her ceremonially unclean and thus unable to dwell in the temple without defiling it under the Mosaic Law. At this time, she would be entrusted to a male guardian. However, since it was forbidden for a man to live with a woman he was not married or related to, the virgin would be wed to the guardian, and they would have no marital relations.

This is about biblical evidences. NOT traditional opinions.

Is consecrated virginity biblical?

I don’t need ONLY the bible my friend. That is a fallacy. If that is the only thing keeping you from believing about the Blessed Virgin Mary’s virginity, then you have another issue at hand: Sola Scriptura.

But if you are willing to deal with reality, and see that the various Churchs belived, for example, the Chaldean Church, which has nothing to do with any other Church, you would find that they ALL had a consensus that She was a virgin, before, during, and after Christ came. This is reality. Take their testimony. After all, people have been doing it for thousands of years. We still read their writings and if they got it wrong, we are all in a very bad position since they had Christ teaching them.

 

[AgnosTheist]

I don’t need ONLY the bible my friend. That is a fallacy.

Im only trying to keep with the subject of this thread. So there really is no biblical basis for the perpetual virginity. its just tradition.

its time to retire this thread. its just false alarm.

 

[Chaldean_Rite]

Im only trying to keep with the subject of this thread. So there really is no biblical basis for the perpetual virginity. its just tradition.

its time to retire this thread. its just false alarm.

True, it is a Tradition of the Church, but not any tradition, a Sacred Tradition, part of the depoist of Faith. Althought the Bible can support this idea, which you apparently can’t see, its still there.

 

[JimG]

So a young girl is betrothed, engaged to be married, and an angel appears and tells her she is to bear a son, and it very much sounds like the boy will be the long anticipated Messiah.

I would expect a reply something along the lines of “Wow! Cool! I can hardly wait!”
But no, she says, “How can this be?”

Now, even without the benefit of modern sex education, it’s hard to believe that a young Jewish girl did not understand the “how” of where babies came from. (And she was, after all, about to be married.)

So her answer makes no sense at all to me, unless she planned not to have sex, even after marriage.

But that’s only the way that everyone understood it for most of Christian history. Perhaps it’s only those of us born in more enlightened times who are able to properly discern her meaning.

 

[Yerusalyim]

It’s possible to show from the Bible that the likely scenario is that those named as “brothers” of the Lord were not BROTHERS in the sense we use the word. It is not possible to prove from the Scriptures that Mary remained a virgin her entire life…that falls to Tradition.