Category:Mary

Mar"y, n.

Defn: Marrow. [Obs.] Chaucer.

mary Ma"ry, interj.

Defn: See Marry. [Obs.] Chaucer.

-

---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

''' See also: Blessed Virgin Mary Saint Mary Magdalene Mary - Sister of Lazarus Mary - wife of Clopas‎‎ Mary - mother of John Mark - Saint Mark for free public domain pictures in these categories.

Mary - Hebrew Miriam. (1.) The wife of Joseph, the mother of Jesus, called the "Blessed Virgin Mary," though never so designated in Scripture (Matthew 2:11; Acts 1:14). Little is known of her personal history. Her genealogy is given in Luke 3. She was of the tribe of Judah and the lineage of David (Psalms 132:11; Luke 1:32). She was connected by marriage with Elizabeth, who was of the lineage of Aaron (Luke 1:36). While she resided at Nazareth with her parents, before she became the wife of Joseph, the angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of the promised Messiah (Luke 1:35). After this she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was living with her husband Zacharias (probably at Juttah, Joshua 15:55; Joshua 21:16, in the neighborhood of Maon), at a considerable distance, about 100 miles, from Nazareth. Immediately on entering the house she was saluted by Elizabeth as the mother of her Lord, and then forthwith gave utterance to her hymn of thanksgiving, known as the Magnificat, (Luke 1:46; compare 1 Samuel 2:1). After three months Mary returned to Nazareth to her own home. Joseph was supernaturally made aware (Matthew 1:18) of her condition, and took her to his own home. Soon after this the decree of Augustus (Luke 2:1) required that they should proceed to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), some 80 or 90 miles from Nazareth; and while they were there they found shelter in the inn or khan provided for strangers (Luke 2:6, Luke 2:7). But as the inn was crowded, Mary had to retire to a place among the cattle, and there she brought forth her Son, who was called Jesus (Matthew 1:21), because He was to save His people from their sins. This was followed by the presentation in the temple, the flight into Egypt, and their return in the following year and residence at Nazareth (Matthew 2). There for thirty years Blessed Virgin Mary, the wife of Joseph the carpenter, resides, filling her own humble sphere, and pondering over the strange things that had happened to her. During these years only one event in the history of Jesus is recorded, viz., His going up to Jerusalem when twelve years of age, and His being found among the doctors in the temple (Luke 2:41). Probably also during this period Joseph died, for he is not again mentioned. After the commencement of our Lord's public ministry, the Blessed Virgin Mary was there - from His first miracle at Cana to His death on the Cross. A year and a half after Jesus' first miracle, we find her at Capernaum (Matthew 12:46, Matthew 12:48, Matthew 12:49), where Christ uttered the memorable words, "Who is My mother? and who are My brethren? And He stretched forth His hand, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren! For whoever shall do the will of My Father in Heaven is My brother and sister and mother." Who did the will of God more perfectly than Jesus' mother? From before Jesus' conception until after His death, she was there - prayerful, pondering, mostly silent and unnoticed. We find her at the Cross along with her sister Mary, and Mary Magdalene, and Salome, and other women (John 19:26). At that hour, Jesus entrusted His most beloved mother into the care of the beloved disciple, John, who took her to his own abode, as each who love our Savior should do to His dear mother. She was with the little company in the upper room after the Ascension and at Pentecost. (Acts 1:14). She instructed the Apostles and Evangelists, as it was only her testimony about the Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple could have been used in the Gospel of St. Matthew and the Gospel of St. Luke. The time and manner of her death are unknown.

(2.) Mary Magdalene, i.e., Mary of Magdala, a town on the western shore of the Lake of Tiberias. She is for the first time noticed in Luke 8:3 as one of the women who "ministered to Christ of their substance." Their motive was that of gratitude for deliverances He had wrought for them. Out of Mary were cast seven demons. Gratitude to her great Deliverer prompted her to become His follower. These women accompanied Him also on His last journey to Jerusalem (Matthew 27:55; Mark 15:41; Luke 23:55). They stood near the Cross. There Mary remained till all was over, and the Body was taken down and laid in Joseph of Arimathaea's tomb. Again, in the earliest dawn of the first day of the week she, with Salome and Mary the mother of James (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2), came to the sepulchre, bringing with them sweet spices, that they might anoint the Body of Jesus. They found the sepulchre empty, but saw the "vision of angels" (Matthew 28:5). She hastens to tell Peter and John, (John 20:1, John 20:2), and again immediately returns to the sepulchre. There she lingers thoughtfully, weeping at the door of the tomb. The risen Lord appears to her, but at first she knows Him not. His utterance of her name "Mary" recalls her to consciousness, and she utters the joyful, reverent cry, "Rabboni." She would fain cling to Him, but He forbids her, saying, "Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father." This is the last record regarding Mary of Magdala, who now returned to Jerusalem.

(3.) Mary, the sister of Lazarus is brought to our notice in connection with the visits of our Lord to Bethany. She is contrasted with her sister Martha, who was "cumbered about many things" while Jesus was their guest, while Mary had chosen "the good part." Her character also appears in connection with the death of her brother (John 11:20, John 11:31, John 11:33). On the occasion of our Lord's last visit to Bethany, Mary brought "a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus" as He reclined at table in the house of one Simon, who had been a leper (Matthew 26:6; Mark 14:3; John 12:2, John 12:3). This was an evidence of her overflowing love to the Lord. Nothing is known of her subsequent history. It would appear from this act of Mary's, and from the circumstance that they possessed a family vault (John 11:38), and that a large number of Jews from Jerusalem came to console with them on the death of Lazarus (John 11:19), that this family at Bethany belonged to the wealthier class of the people. (See MARTHA, Martha - Sister of Lazarus and Lazarus, Mary - Sister of Lazarus.)

(4.) Mary, the wife of Cleopas is mentioned (John 19:25) as standing at the Cross in company with Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Jesus. By comparing Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40, we find that this Mary and "Mary the mother of James the little" are one and the same person, and that she was the sister of our Lord's mother. She was that "other Mary" who was present with Mary of Magdala at the burial of our Lord (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47); and she was one of those who went early in the morning of the first day of the week to anoint the Body, and thus became one of the first witnesses of the Resurrection (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1).

(5.) Mary the mother of John Mark was one of the earliest of our Lord's disciples. She was the sister of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), and joined with him in disposing of their land and giving the proceeds of the sale into the treasury of the Church (Acts 4:37; Acts 12:12). Her house in Jerusalem was the common meeting-place for the disciples there. (6.) A Christian at Rome who treated Paul with special kindness (Romans 16:6).