📖 Biblical Definition
Mary was the Galilean virgin of Nazareth chosen by God to be the mother of the incarnate Christ. Scripture portrays her in three principal poses. First, the Magnificat — a young woman magnifying the Lord in song after the angel’s annunciation: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour" (Luke 1:46-55). Second, at the cross — suffering with her Son, where Christ commits her to John’s care (John 19:25-27). Third, in the upper room — praying with the disciples after the ascension (Acts 1:14). She is rightly called "blessed... among women" (Luke 1:42) and the church honors her, but she is not to be worshipped. She is mother, not mediatrix.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
MA'RY, n.
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The mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a virgin of Nazareth, of the house and lineage of David, betrothed to Joseph the carpenter; the Holy Spirit overshadowed her, and the holy thing born of her was called the Son of God.
📖 Key Scripture
Luke 1:38 — "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."
Luke 1:46 — "My soul doth magnify the Lord."
John 19:25 — "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother."
Acts 1:14 — "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Two errors: ignoring Mary, and worshipping her. Scripture honors her without either.
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Two opposing errors disfigure Mary. Roman Catholic theology has elevated her into a co-redemptrix, an immaculately conceived sinless mediatrix, the queen of heaven. None of that is in the Bible — and 1 Timothy 2:5 says there is one Mediator between God and men. The other error, common in Protestant overcorrection, ignores her entirely or speaks of her grudgingly.
Scripture honors Mary precisely: she is blessed among women, the willing servant of the Lord, the one whose Magnificat is the deepest theology of any woman in the Gospels. She suffered at the cross, she prayed in the upper room, and she became one of the saints in the Acts church — a believer like the rest, redeemed by the Son she bore. Honor Mary; do not pray to her. Sing her Magnificat; do not give her the worship that belongs to Christ alone.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek Maria (G3137); Hebrew Miryam.
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G3137 — Maria — Mary; mother of Jesus
H4813 — Miryam — Miriam; rebellion or beloved
Usage
"Honor Mary; do not pray to her."
"The Magnificat is one of the deepest theological poems in Scripture — learn it from her."
"She is blessed among women; she is also a redeemed sinner like the rest of the Acts 1 church."