Mary the Mother of God - in the Bible

[Jimmy_B]

A look at the Mary of the Bible (1 of 3)

Genesis 3:15
**15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” **

Revelation 12
1 A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was with child…(4) Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth.5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. 6 The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God, that there she might be taken care of for twelve hundred and sixty days.
10 Anyone destined for captivity goes into captivity. Anyone destined to be slain by the sword shall be slain by the sword. Such is the faithful endurance of the holy ones.
17 Then the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus. (Revelation
(NAB) 12)

Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. (Isaiah (NAB) 7)

Matthew 1
18 Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. 19 Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 20 Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. 21 She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.25 He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25 (NAB) 1)

Luke 1
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35 And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power you have found favor with God. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God.”38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:27 (NAB) 1)

 

[Jimmy_B]

Mary the Mother of God - in the Bible (2 of 3)

Luke 1
39 During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:30-45 (NAB) 1)

Luke 1** (Song of Mary)**
46 And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
48 For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
49 The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
51 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
53 The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
55 according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. (Luke 1:46-56 (NAB) 1)

Luke 2
5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.6 While they were there, the time came for her to have her child,7 and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:5-7 (NAB) 2)

Luke 2
16 So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.17 When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.18 All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.19 And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. (Luke 2:16-20 (NAB) 2)

Luke 2
34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34,35(NAB) 2)

Luke 2
48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he said to them.
51 He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

 

[Jimmy_B]

Mary the Mother of God - in the Bible (3 of 3)

John 2
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.3 When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”4 (And) Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”
**11 Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. 12 After this, he and his mother, (his) brothers, and his disciples went down to Capernaum and stayed there only a few days. **

Mark 6
3 Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” 5 So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. (Mark 6:3-5 (NAB) 6)

Matthew 13

55 Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?56 Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?”57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.”58 And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith. (Matthew 13:55-58 (NAB) 13)

Matthew 1
16 Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.

17 Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations. (Matthew (NAB) 1)

Matthew 2
11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. (Matthew 2:11,12 (NAB) 2)

John 19
**25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. **

Acts 112 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away; 13 and when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
13 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

END

 

[Lev23]

Mary is THE perfect example of a true Israelite. Humble, obedient to her God, and very knowledgeable of the scriptures and believed in them. She considered herself “the Lord’s servant”. She called her God “Mighty One”. Her song, or the Magnificant in Luke mirrors Hannah’s Prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.

Mary at such a young age knew the scriptures and she gave glory and praise to her God, the God of Israel, in the Magnificant because God was sending the Messiah, the King of Israel to Israel through her.

I will always call Mary “blessed” because she is the mother of my Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[inchrist101]

Jimmy is there a question here? Why are you posting scripture as if we have never seen it before

You certainly are fixated on Mary.

 

[LutheranDK]

I’m a little confused…

Has anyone claimed that the Bible says nothing WHATSOEVER about Mary? Because that seems to be the case you’re arguing here - pointing out various passages speaking of her (although claiming that Gen 3, might be, and Rev 12, certainly is, speak of Mary is grasping at straws…)

 

[LutheranDK]

Mary is THE perfect example of a true Israelite. Humble, obedient to her God, and very knowledgeable of the scriptures and believed in them. She considered herself “the Lord’s servant”. She called her God “Mighty One”. Her song, or the Magnificant in Luke mirrors Hannah’s Prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.

Mary at such a young age knew the scriptures and she gave glory and praise to her God, the God of Israel, in the Magnificant because God was sending the Messiah, the King of Israel to Israel through her.

I will always call Mary “blessed” because she is the mother of my Lord Jesus Christ.

You get no argument from me, here.
But I hardly see the relevance?

Yes, Mary was blessed; so is, and was, any Christian up through the centuries whom God has called to do His work, and be His child.

 

[Ruthie]

Based on responses, I guess Marian doctrine is more controversial than the authority of the Church!

Thanks for another great collection of verses, Jimmy.

Ruthie

 

[elvisman]

I’m a little confused…

Has anyone claimed that the Bible says nothing WHATSOEVER about Mary? Because that seems to be the case you’re arguing here - pointing out various passages speaking of her (although claiming that Gen 3, might be, and Rev 12, certainly is, speak of Mary is grasping at straws…)

Jimmy is there a question here? Why are you posting scripture as if we have never seen it before

You certainly are fixated on Mary.

It seems to me that he is posting these passages in an effort to clarify what they mean.
He is making the case that Mary is the Mother of God.

**This is a fact that is denied by many - if not most Protestants.

 

[brkn1]

**It seems to me that he is posting these passages in an effort to clarify **what they mean.
He is making the case that Mary is the Mother of God.

This is a fact that is denied by many - if not *most *Protestants.

The Virgin Mary is the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ.
She was the means whereby the Second Person of the Divine Holy Trinity (Jesus) came, in bodily form, into this world as a perfect Man, Who was also already a Divine Person before His incarnation as Mary’s Son.
Mary was not the mother of Jesus’ already existing Divinity.
Mary would have to also be divine to properly be called the “Mother of God”.
There is no such term in the Bible as “Mother of God”.
“Mother of God” is an invented term that incorrectly implies divinity to Mary.
God can have no mother of His Divinity, or He would not be God.

 

[adstrinity]

“Mother of God” is an invented term that incorrectly implies divinity to Mary.

No it doesn’t. It is a term that is incorrectly interpreted by people who do not understand.

“Mother of God,” assures us that Jesus IS God.

 

[elvisman]

The Virgin Mary is the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ.
She was the means whereby the Second Person of the Divine Holy Trinity (Jesus) came, in bodily form, into this world as a perfect Man, Who was also already a Divine Person before His incarnation as Mary’s Son.
Mary was not the mother of Jesus’ already existing Divinity.
Mary would have to also be divine to properly be called the “Mother of God”.
There is no such term in the Bible as “Mother of God”.
“Mother of God” is an invented term that incorrectly implies divinity to Mary.
God can have no mother of His Divinity, or He would not be God.

There is no such term in the Bible as “Trinity” but we know it exists so that is a weak argument.

Jesus’ 2 natures cannot be separated. this is what is known as the doctrine of the Hypostatic Union - which is believed by Catholics and most Protestants. That being said - Mary is the Mother of God.

If you are implying that Jesus is not God or that his 2 natures can be separated - you are a heretic. Virtually every heresy begins with the misunderstanding of the nature of God.

 

[brkn1]

There is no such term in the Bible as "Trinity" but we know it exists so that is a weak argument.

Jesus’ 2 natures cannot be separated. this is what is known as the doctrine of the Hypostatic Union - which is believed by Catholics and most Protestants. That being said - Mary is the Mother of God.

If you are implying that Jesus is not God or that his 2 natures can be separated - you are a heretic. Virtually every heresy begins with the misunderstanding of the nature of God.

I understand that Jesus is both God and Man according to the Hypostatic Union.
The problem with the way you present the term “Mother of God” is that it definitely implies that Mary is the mother of the already eternally existing Son of God, Who eternally previously had no mother, in any sense, before He came physically into the world as the God Man. You carry Mary’s role too far with the “Mother of God” term, even though Mary was the means by which Jesus as God physically took upon Himself our humanity.
Many pagan religions have that “mother of god” idea of deity.
They prayed to that “mother god”.
The Bible never presents a “mother of god” to pray to. That sort of misunderstanding is what creates true heresy.

 

[adstrinity]

I understand that Jesus is both God and Man according to the Hypostatic Union.
The problem with the way you present the term “Mother of God” is that it definitely implies that Mary is the mother of the already eternally existing Son of God, Who eternally previously had no mother, in any sense, before He came physically into the world as the God Man. You carry Mary’s role too far with the “Mother of God” term, even though Mary was the means by which Jesus as God physically took upon Himself our humanity.
Many pagan religions have that “mother of god” idea of deity.
They prayed to that “mother god”.
The Bible never presents a “mother of god” to pray to. That sort of misunderstanding is what creates true heresy.

But, we don’t pray to a, “mother god.” We pray to the Mother of God…and praying to her is not binding on all of us.

Let me tell you why, “Mother of God,” is appropriate. As previously stated, Jesus is God. A Muslim on this forum once asked if we could say that Mary is the, “Mother of Lord Jesus.” We could, but, by saying it that way, the Muslims may accept it. It is correct, but, it doesn’t say Who Jesus is. The Muslims do not accept Jesus as God. We could also say, “Mother of Jesus,” but, at this point, what are we saying? We’re proclaiming that a woman lived. By saying, “Mother of God,” we understand that Jesus IS God, and we acknowledge something that no other religion is willing to admit.

 

[SyCarl]

Mother of God is a rather poor translation of Theotokos which would be better translated “God bearer”, a term I personally have no problem with. It was this term that was adopted by the Council of Ephesus.

The problem with the term “Mother of God” is that it is an anthropomorphism. It is taking human concepts and applying them to God and it just doesn’t work. Even those who use the term have to explain that it doesn’t mean that Mary pre-existed God, or that she didn’t contribute anything to his Deity, or that it doesn’t mean that God has a father. All these would be expected with the concept of mother.

While he predated the Council of Ephesus, I think Augustine expressed it well.

He was in an extraordinary manner begotten of the Father without a mother, born of a mother without a father; without a mother He was God, without a father He was man; without a mother before all time, without a father in the end of times…9. Why, then, said the Son to the mother, “Woman, what have I to do with you? mine hour is not yet come?” Our Lord Jesus Christ was both God and man. According as He was God, He had not a mother; according as He was man, He had. She was the mother, then, of His flesh, of His humanity, of the weakness which for our sakes He took upon Him.-Augustine (Tractates on John, Number 8, Paragraphs 8-9)
newadvent.org/fathers/1701008.htm

 

[bpbasilphx]

**“Mother of God” is an invented term that incorrectly implies divinity to Mary. **

**** W * R * O * N * G * *!!!

“Mother of God/Theotokos” was never understood in the way you are implying.

The term is really about who JESUS is.**

 

[Jimmy_B]

*"And how does this happen to me, that the *

mother of my Lord should come to me?"

The Bible, Luke 1:43

 

[elvisman]

Jimmy_B:
Once again, Jimmy - you beat me to the punch!! :tiphat:

 

[elvisman]

I understand that Jesus is both God and Man according to the Hypostatic Union.
The problem with the way you present the term “Mother of God” is that it definitely implies that Mary is the mother of the already eternally existing Son of God, Who eternally previously had no mother, in any sense, before He came physically into the world as the God Man. You carry Mary’s role too far with the “Mother of God” term, even though Mary was the means by which Jesus as God physically took upon Himself our humanity.
Many pagan religions have that “mother of god” idea of deity.
They prayed to that “mother god”.
The Bible never presents a “mother of god” to pray to. That sort of misunderstanding is what creates true heresy.

Very wrong, my friend.
First of all, The Hypostatic Union is what it is. Jesus CANNOT be divided. You’re on extremely shaky theological ground here.

Secondly, we are not a pagan religion nor are we influenced by pagan religions. Talk about taking things too far . . .

As for Mary being the Mother of God (Jimmy B already stated this) what do you do with Luke 1:43:
"And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

---

Ad please tell me that you’re NOT one of those people who thinks that we pray to Mary like we pray to God.

 

[elvisman]

Mother of God is a rather poor translation of Theotokos which would be better translated “God bearer”, a term I personally have no problem with. It was this term that was adopted by the Council of Ephesus.

The problem with the term “Mother of God” is that it is an anthropomorphism. It is taking human concepts and applying them to God and it just doesn’t work. Even those who use the term have to explain that it doesn’t mean that Mary pre-existed God, or that she didn’t contribute anything to his Deity, or that it doesn’t mean that God has a father. All these would be expected with the concept of mother.

While he predated the Council of Ephesus, I think Augustine expressed it well.

Well, Sy - since YOU brought up the Church Fathers, let’s see that they had to say:

****Council of ****Ephesus **(Speaking of the Council of Ephesus)
We confess, then, our Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, perfect God and perfect man, of a rational soul and a body, begotten before all ages from the Father in his Godhead, the same in the last days, for us and for our salvation, born of Mary the Virgin according to his humanity, one and the same consubstantial with the Father in Godhead and consubstantial with us in humanity, for a union of two natures took place. Therefore we confess one Christ, one Son, one Lord. According to this understanding of the unconfused union, we confess the holy Virgin to be the Mother of God because God the Word took flesh and became man and from his very conception united to himself the temple he took from her
(*Formula of Union *[A.D. 431]).

Athanasius
The Word begotten of the Father from on high, inexpressibly, inexplicably, incomprehensibly, and eternally, is he that is born in time here below of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
(*The Incarnation of the Word of God *8 [A.D. 365]).

Ambrose of Milan
The first thing which kindles ardor in learning is the greatness of the teacher. What is greater than the Mother of God? What more glorious than she whom Glory Itself chose?
(*The Virgins *2:2[7] [A.D. 377]).

Cyril of Jerusalem
The Father bears witness from heaven to his Son. The Holy Spirit bears witness, coming down bodily in the form of a dove. The archangel Gabriel bears witness, bringing the good tidings to Mary. The Virgin Mother of God bears witness.
(*Catechetical Lectures *10:19 [A.D. 350]).

Shall I go on?**