We are all familiar with the story of the angel Gabriel coming to Mary and telling her she had been chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. What is not explained in Scripture is exactly why Mary was chosen.
What Do We Know about Mary?
Mary holds a significant place in the life of Christ, though Christians themselves don't agree on the exact parameters of that role. Currently, we're seeing a renewed interest in her as a historical figure; what she looked like, etc.
What do we actually know about her and how does that impact our theological approach to her significance? History and archaeology, coupled with the data of the New Testament and earliest disciples provide the following:
1. Mary was a peasant girl, and like most of the historical women of her ethnicity, she most likely stood approximately five feet tall or less. Her hair would have been dark brown or black, and she would have kept it oiled, parted in the center, with the part painted red or purple, as was the custom. Her complexion would have been olive to quite tan, much akin to the other Middle Eastern peoples.
2. Her teeth would have been healthy since sugar was an unknown commodity, and honey is something she likely wouldn't have ever had the chance to try, being reserved for the wealthy.
3. She would have worn heavy golden jewelry, the most dazzling her poor family could afford since this would be part of her dowry.
4. She would have worn linen or homespun clothing, loose-fitting, and of soft colors such as a faded pink, bluish-grey, cream, or light brown. It would have carried beautiful embroidery, likely done by her own hand.
She would have worn a cloth belt as well, likely covered in embroidery, making it stiff. Her shoes would depend on the weather: ankle-high boots in cold weather, and sandals in warm. She would have kept her toenails trimmed.
5. She spoke Aramaic with a Galilean accent, which would have been a sign to the upper classes that she was uneducated.
6. In keeping with her culture, she would have shared a plethora of stories with children, which she would have memorized rather than read from a scroll. Women didn't study Torah but relied on men to explain the Law to them.
7. Mary would have lived in a small home with at least eight to ten relatives, with the men and women working together respectively. She would have worked both in the home and outside the home, since the area where she lived was the breadbasket for her country. She, along with the other women, would have worked the orchards, vineyards, olive groves, and crops.
8. Her entire family would have been involved in her arranged marriage to Joseph. Living in Nazareth, which only held about 400 people, meant that Joseph was likely a very distant relative, which was common at that time. He would likely have been near her age, able to provide for her, knew Torah, and was from a respectable family.
What did the early Christians believe about her? Mary was esteemed because of her obedience and faithfulness, which made it possible to reverse the effects of Eve's disobedience.
“He (Jesus) became man by the virgin, in order that the disobedience which began with the serpent might receive its destruction in the same manner in which it derived its origin. For Eve, who was a virgin and undefiled, having conceived the word of the serpent, brought forth disobedience and death. But the virgin Mary received faith and joy when the angel Gabriel announced the good tidings to her that the Spirit of the Lord would come upon her" (Justin Martyr).
"Mary the virgin is found obedient, saying, ‘Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word.’ In contrast, Eve was disobedient. For she did not obey when she was still a virgin...Correspondingly, Mary, who was also a virgin....by yielding obedience became the cause of salvation, both to herself and the whole human race...So it was that the knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary" (Irenaeus).
"Virginal disobedience has been balanced in the opposite scale by virginal obedience" (Irenaeus).
By the fourth century, we find the first mention of Mary as Theotokos — Greek for "God-bearer."
"The Spirit could not abide upon all men, but only on Him who was born of Mary, the God-bearer" (Disputation of Archelaus and Manes).
"Our Lord Jesus Christ in very deed (and not merely in appearance) had a body, which was of Mary, mother of God" (Alexander).
While many evangelicals balk at such a title, the biblical evidence, along with the consensus of the undivided church, demonstrate that the title Theotokos is in fact biblical and orthodox. Theologians of merit understand that to say she's not the Theotokos is to suggest there is a division in Christ's humanity and divinity, which is a grave heresy.
As we can see, the apostolic (and sub-apostolic) Christians possessed a healthy respect for Mary the Mother of Jesus. However, we find no hint of the dogma of Mary's "Immaculate Conception," nor of the "Assumption."
We find no evidence of prayers or devotionals in her honor, nor of titles such as the "Queen of Heaven," nor "Co-Redemptrix." It is enough to note that she is the Second Eve, a truly Blessed Mother, and the Theotokos.
Mary Fulfills Prophecy
It would be easy (and irresponsible) to say that she was chosen because she was a virgin, but there were many virgins among the Jews of that time. If indeed that were the only qualification, then any of those women would be fine.
Of course, this reduces the calling of Mary to a mere utilitarian one. Rarely does God ever do anything for purely utilitarian reasons. There was much more behind His choice of Mary than her virginity.
It seems to me that we have to look to the Lord's foreknowledge to understand this choice. Mary's life and circumstances were so arranged that she would fulfill all of the prophecies necessary to the birth of the Messiah.
- First, she was a virgin, as well all know (Isaiah 7:14).
- Being from Nazareth, and eventually returning to live there with the child Jesus, she fulfilled (Isaiah 11:1).
- She would be required to go to Bethlehem at the time when she was due to give birth (Micah 5:2).
- She was a descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:16).
It is also a matter of record in the Church Fathers that Mary led an exemplary holy life. Certainly, the Lord knew she would have the necessary spiritual strength to withstand the attacks on her honesty, her character, and that of her Son.
She would have to suffer the humiliation of her Son being tried as a criminal, found guilty, and executed in the worst way possible. Very few people could have fulfilled all of these requirements to be the mother of the Messiah.
For further reading:
Who Was Mary the Mother of Jesus?
What Is the Significance of Mary’s Song at Christmas?
Is it Important to Know Jesus’ Family Tree at Christmas?
What Does the Bible Say about the Angel Gabriel?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Matteo Della Torre
J. Davila-Ashcraft is an Anglican priest, Theologian, and Apologist, and holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies and Theology from God’s Bible College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a recognized authority on the topic of exorcism, and in that capacity has contributed to and/or appeared on programming for The National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, and CNN. He is the host of Expedition Truth, a one-hour apologetics radio talk show.
