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    In Context

    Who Was Mary, the Mother of Jesus — In Biblical Context

    Mary was a young Jewish virgin chosen by God to bear the Messiah — a woman of extraordinary faith, humility, and obedience who said 'be it unto me according to thy word.'

    Quick Answer

    Mary was a young Jewish virgin chosen by God to bear the Messiah — a woman of extraordinary faith, humility, and obedience who said 'be it unto me according to thy word.'

    "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." — Luke 1:38 (KJV)

    The Biblical Context

    Mary (Miriam) was a young woman from Nazareth, betrothed to Joseph, when the angel Gabriel appeared with astonishing news: 'Thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS' (Luke 1:31). Despite the social risk and personal cost, Mary responded with faith: 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word' (Luke 1:38). Her song of praise (the Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55) reveals deep knowledge of Scripture and humble gratitude. She treasured events in her heart (Luke 2:19,51). She was present at Jesus' first miracle (John 2:1-5), followed His ministry, stood at the cross (John 19:25), and was entrusted to John's care. She was among the believers in the upper room at Pentecost (Acts 1:14). Mary is honored as 'blessed among women' (Luke 1:28,42), but she herself pointed to God as her Savior (Luke 1:47), acknowledging her own need for grace. She is a model of faith, not an object of worship.

    Where It Sits in Scripture

    The core passage for this question, Luke 1:38, sits inside Luke 1. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.

    "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."
    — Luke 1:38 (KJV)

    Supporting Passages

    Luke 1:46-47
    "My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."
    Luke 1:28
    "The angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."

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