Knowra Mary, mother of Jesus Mary, mother of Jesus Mary is the Jewish woman identified in Christian tradition as the mother of Jesus. Christian traditions differ in how they understand her role, life, and continuing significance.
Theotokos : A Greek title meaning “God-bearer,” used for Mary in Christian theology. The title expresses the claim about Jesus that underlies Mary’s status in many churches.
Annunciation : The episode in which the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear Jesus. Luke’s account presents Mary’s consent as the beginning of Jesus’s birth narrative.
Gospel of Luke : A first-century Christian narrative of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. Luke supplies the fullest canonical account of Mary’s annunciation, visit to Elizabeth, and birth of Jesus.
Eastern Orthodox Church : A family of Christian churches that share Byzantine traditions, liturgy, and episcopal governance. Orthodox churches honor Mary as Theotokos while expressing Marian doctrines differently from Roman Catholicism.
Perpetual virginity of Mary : The Christian doctrine that Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after Jesus’s birth. This doctrine shapes how some traditions interpret Mary’s family and vocation.
Visitation : The Gospel episode in which Mary visits her pregnant relative Elizabeth. The meeting links Mary’s pregnancy with Elizabeth’s and includes the hymn later called the Magnificat.
Gospel of Matthew : A first-century Gospel presenting Jesus as Israel’s Messiah and teacher. Matthew’s infancy narrative depicts Mary within Joseph’s family and the story of Jesus’s birth.
Roman Catholic Church : The largest Christian church, governed by the bishop of Rome and shaped by Catholic doctrine and tradition. Catholic teaching defines doctrines about Mary that are not shared by all Christian communities.
Immaculate Conception : The Catholic doctrine that Mary was preserved from original sin from the first moment of her conception. It is a distinctive Catholic teaching about Mary’s own beginning.
Magnificat : The hymn of praise spoken by Mary in Luke’s Gospel after she meets Elizabeth. Its words portray Mary as proclaiming divine reversal and care for the poor.
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