Mary

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a young Jewish woman from Nazareth betrothed to Joseph, a descendant of David. She was likely a sister of Salome (see John 19:25 and Gosple of Thomas but contra Diatessaron). Before their marriage, an angel appeared to Mary, announcing that she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit and name Him Jesus. Mary humbly accepted this divine plan, and the virgin birth of Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of the Messiah (Mat.1.16, 18, 20; Luke 1:26–38). After Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph presented Him at the temple, where Simeon prophesied that a sword would pierce her soul (Luk.2.5, 16, 19, 34). Mary treasured these events in her heart. She and Joseph raised Jesus in Nazareth, and He was known as the son of Mary (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). During Jesus' crucifixion, Mary stood near the cross with other women, including her sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene (Mat.27.56, 61; Mrk.15.40, 47). After Jesus' resurrection, Mary was among the women who went to the tomb and later informed the disciples (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10). In the early church, Mary joined the disciples in prayer as they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14).