Their story
Luke tells how the angel Gabriel announces that Mary will bear Jesus, and Mary responds with trust. Matthew tells the story from Joseph's side, but Mary remains central to the birth of Jesus. Later, the Gospels show her in moments around Jesus' ministry, crucifixion, and the early community of believers.
Why they matter
Mary matters because she stands at the beginning of the incarnation, the Christian teaching that Jesus truly entered human life. Catholic and Orthodox traditions give Mary a larger devotional role than most Protestant traditions, but all major Christian traditions recognize her as the mother of Jesus.
Key Bible passages
What people often get wrong
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is not the same person as Mary Magdalene.
Christian traditions agree that Mary is the mother of Jesus, but they do not all describe her continuing role in the same way.
Common questions
Who was Mary, the mother of Jesus?
Mary was the woman who gave birth to Jesus and appears in the Gospels and Acts.
Was Mary at the crucifixion?
John's Gospel places the mother of Jesus near the cross.
Why is Mary important in Christianity?
Mary is important because she is the mother of Jesus and is central to the birth narratives in the New Testament.
The name
Read the meaning and Christian naming history of Mary, mother of Jesus.