Why is Mary called Virgin Mary?
Mary was the mother of Jesus Christ and today is widely known as the Virgin Mary. This title carries deep significance in Christianity, reflecting her unique role in the story of Jesus’ miraculous birth. But why is Mary called the Virgin Mary, and what does this title mean in the context of faith and Christian history?
Angel Gabriel Visits Mary
In a quiet evening in Nazareth, a small town homed in the region of Galilee. Mary, a young woman pledged to marry Joseph, a carpenter and descendant of King David, went about her daily tasks. She had no idea that this day is going to change her life forever.
Suddenly, the room was filled with a radiant light, and standing before her was an angel, a messenger of God. It was Gabriel, one of the most revered angels in all of heaven. His presence was overwhelming, yet his face shone with kindness and peace.
“Greetings, you who are highly favored!” Gabriel said, his voice both gentle and powerful. “The Lord is with you.”
Prophesy About Birth of Jesus
To Startled Mary Angel Gabriel said:
- “Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
The angel’s words were extraordinary but confusing for ordinary and simple Mary.
She asked: “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
Gabriel’s expression remained calm as he explained,
- “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
Mary was calm and looked at Gabriel and said: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
The angel smiled, his mission complete. In an instant, he was gone, leaving Mary alone with her thoughts, her faith, and the extraordinary journey that lay ahead. Her heart swelled with courage and trust in God’s plan, knowing that her life would never be the same.
Bible Verses About Birth of Jesus
- Luke 1:26-38 recounts the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary, announcing that she would conceive a son, despite being a virgin. In verse 34, Mary responds, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” This dialogue underscores her virginity at the time of Jesus’ conception.
- Matthew 1:18-25 describes how Mary, though engaged to Joseph, conceived Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. The passage explicitly states that Joseph had no marital relations with Mary until after Jesus’ birth.
- Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
By being conceived through the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ birth is marked as a miraculous event, affirming his identity as the Son of God.
In addition to the belief in Mary’s virginity at the time of Jesus’ conception, many Christian traditions hold that Mary remained a virgin throughout her life. This doctrine, known as the “perpetual virginity of Mary,” is upheld by the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and some Protestant denominations. It further underscores her unique and sanctified role in salvation history.
“Mary is called the Virgin Mary because of her unique and miraculous role in the conception and birth of Jesus Christ. Her virginity, as described in biblical accounts and upheld in Christian doctrine, highlights the divine nature of Jesus’ birth and Mary’s unparalleled faith and obedience. This title continues to inspire reverence and devotion, symbolizing the profound mysteries of faith and the extraordinary ways in which God works through humanity.”
