📖 Biblical Definition
Mary was a virgin betrothed to Joseph when the angel Gabriel announced that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear a son named Jesus (Luke 1:31). Her response was faith and submission: "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). Her Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) reveals a woman steeped in Scripture who understood her role within God's redemptive purposes. Simeon warned her that "a sword will pierce through your own soul also" (Luke 2:35). Mary stood at the foot of the cross and was entrusted to John's care (John 19:26-27). She was present with the disciples in the upper room after the ascension (Acts 1:14). Mary was blessed among women and a model of faithful obedience — but she was a human being in need of a Savior, as her own words declare: "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:47).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The virgin mother of Jesus; a woman of Nazareth of the house of David.
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MA'RY, n. [Heb. Miryam.] The virgin of Nazareth, of the lineage of David, who conceived by the Holy Spirit and bore Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Called "blessed among women" by the angel Gabriel.
📖 Key Scripture
• Luke 1:38 — "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."
• Luke 1:47 — "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
• Luke 2:19 — "Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart."
• John 19:26-27 — "Woman, behold, your son!... Behold, your mother!"
• Acts 1:14 — "All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer... with Mary the mother of Jesus."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Mary is elevated to co-redemptrix and object of prayer in Catholic dogma, or stripped of her significance by Protestant neglect.
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Roman Catholic Marian dogma has progressively elevated Mary far beyond what Scripture teaches: the Immaculate Conception (that Mary was born without original sin), perpetual virginity (despite Scripture naming Jesus' brothers — Matthew 13:55), the Assumption (bodily taken to heaven), and her role as Mediatrix and Co-Redemptrix. None of these doctrines are found in Scripture. Mary herself called God "my Savior" (Luke 1:47) — a sinless person has no need of a savior. Prayers to Mary and Marian apparitions direct worship to a creature rather than to Christ. On the other hand, many Protestants overcorrect by ignoring Mary entirely. The biblical Mary is neither a goddess nor an afterthought — she is a faithful servant who said yes to God and pointed others to her Son: "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5).
Usage
• "Mary called God 'my Savior' — proving she knew herself to be a sinner in need of redemption, not a sinless co-redemptrix."
• "Mary's last recorded words in Scripture are 'Do whatever he tells you' — she pointed away from herself and toward her Son."
• "Mary was blessed among women and highly favored — but she was a human servant, not a divine mediator, and Scripture never instructs anyone to pray to her."