Greek Maria / Hebrew Miryam. The young woman — likely a teenager by first-century conventions — chosen by God to be the mother of the incarnate Son. Betrothed to Joseph of the line of David, she was visited by the angel Gabriel at Nazareth with the greeting, "Rejoice, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" (Luke 1:28). Her conception was by the Holy Spirit, not by Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:34-35). Her song of praise — the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) — is one of the greatest poems in the Bible.
Mary's place in the biblical story is unique and irreducible, but careful. Scripture honors her as "blessed among women" (Luke 1:42) and "highly favored" (1:28) — yet is remarkably restrained about her. She is present at the Cana wedding where Jesus performs His first sign (John 2), follows Him through His ministry, stands at the cross when most male disciples had fled (John 19:25), and appears in the upper room with the praying disciples in Acts 1:14. After that she disappears from the NT record. Three key observations. (1) Mary's faith is the feature Luke highlights most: "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). Her obedience in uncertain, scandalous circumstances is exemplary for every believer. (2) Mary points away from herself, not to herself: her recorded words at Cana are, "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5). That is the whole Marian gospel. (3) Roman Catholic developments — perpetual virginity, Immaculate Conception (1854), bodily Assumption (1950), co-mediatrix — go well beyond anything Scripture affirms and in places contradict it (Matthew 13:55-56 names Jesus' half-brothers; Mark 3:21 shows His family initially thinking Him out of His mind). Honor Mary's faith. Treat her as Scripture treats her. Do not worship her.