Reference: Mary, The Virgin
Fausets
(See GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST.) Probably Matthan of Matthew is Matthat of Luke, and Jacob and Heli were brothers; and Heli's son Joseph, and Jacob's daughter Mary, were first cousins. Joseph, as male heir of his uncle Jacob who had one only child Mary, would marry her according to the law (Nu 36:8). Thus the genealogy of the inheritance or succession to David's throne (Matthew's) and that of natural descent (Luke's) would be primarily Joseph's, then Mary's also (Ps 132:11; Lu 1:32; Ro 1:3). She was sister or half-sister to Mary (Joh 19:25), and related to Elisabeth who was of the tribe of Levi (Lu 1:36). (See MARY OF CLEOPHAS; ELISABETH.) In 5 B.C. (Lu 1:24, etc.) Mary was living at Nazareth, by this time betrothed to Joseph, when the angel Gabriel came from God to her in the sixth month of Elisabeth's pregnancy. (See GABRIEL.)
He came in no form of overwhelming majesty, but seemingly in human form, as is implied by the expression "he came in," also by the fact that what she was "troubled at" was not his presence but "his saying" (compare Da 10:18-19). "Hail thou that art highly favored" (kecharitomenee) cannot mean as Rome teaches in her prayer to the Virgin, "Hail Mary full of grace"; that would be pleerees charitos as in Joh 1:14; the passive of the verb implies, as usually in verbs in -oo, she was made the object of God's grace, not a fountain from whence grace flows to others; as Joh 1:30 explains it, "thou hast found favor (charin) with God"; so Eph 1:6, echaritoosen, "He hath graciously accepted us." "The Lord is (or, BE) with thee (Jg 6:12), blessed art thou among women"; not among gods and goddesses.
As Jael (Jg 5:24); "blessed" in "believing" (Lu 1:45), more than in conceiving Christ (Lu 8:19-21; 11:27-28); compare her own practice, Lu 2:51; Mt 12:49-50. "Her relationship as mother would not at all have profited Mary if she had not borne Christ more happily in the heart than in the flesh" (Augustine, Tom. 4, De Sanct. Virg.). In Lu 11:27-28, during His last journey, a month before His crucifixion (A.D. 30), upon a woman of the company exclaiming, "blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the paps which Thou hast sucked," He said, "yea, rather (menounge) blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it"; the blessedness even of Mary is not her motherhood towards Him, but her hearing and obeying Him.
The Spirit's prescience of the abuse of the words Lu 1:28 appears in the precautions taken subsequently in the same Gospel to guard against such abuse. The Virgin's words (Lu 1:48) "all generations shall call me blessed" mean not, shall call me by that name, "the Blessed Virgin," but shall count me blessed, as in Jas 5:11 (the same Greek). The nations shall count JESUS, not the Virgin, the fountain of all blessedness (Ps 72:17). When in "fear she cast in her mind what might the meaning of the salutation be," the angel reassured her by the promise, "behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus.
He shall be great (not merely as John Baptist 'in the sight of the Lord,' Lu 1:15, but as the Lord Himself), and shall be called (i.e. shall be really what the name means) the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give Him the throne of His father David (not merely His throne in heaven whereon David never sat, but on Zion, Jer 3:17), and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shi all be no end." She asked, not incredulously as Zacharias (Lu 1:18), but in the simplicity of faith which sought instruction, taking for granted it shall be, only asking as to the manner, "how shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"
The angel therefore explained, "the Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee (as with a cloud, denoting the mildest, gentlest operation of the divine power, coveting, quickening, but not consuming: Mr 9:7), therefore also that Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (from whence our creed saith, "He was conceived by the Holy Spirit," etc.; compare Ge 1:2. "As the world was not created by the Holy Spirit, but by the Son, so the Son was not begotten by the Holy Spirit, but by the Father, and that before the worlds, Christ was made of the substance of the Virgin, not of the substance of the Holy Spirit, whose essence cannot be made. No more is attributed to the Spirit than what was necessary to cause the Virgin to perform the actions of a mother. And because the Holy Spirit did not beget Him by any communication of His essence, He is not the Father of Him." Pearson, Creed, 165-166.)
Gabriel instanced Elisabeth's being six months advanced in pregnancy, who once was barren, to confirm the Virgin's faith that "nothing is impossible with God" (Ro 4:17-21); she evinced her faith in the reply, "behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word," Her expression of humble, believing acceptance of and concurrence in the divine will (Lu 1:38,45) was required, and may be with reverence supposed to be recorded to mark the date of our Lord's conception. Mary then went in joyous haste to the hill country of Judah, to a city where Zacharias and Elisabeth lived, whether Jutta, (Jos 21:13-16) a priests' city, or Hebron, S. of Jerusalem and much further S. of Nazareth in Galilee. On Mary's saluting Elisabeth the latter hailed her as "mother of her Lord," inasmuch as at her salutation "the babe leaped in her womb for joy," adding, in contrast to Zacharias whose unbelief had brought its own punishment," blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things told her from the Lord."
Mary then under the Spirit uttered the hymn known as the "Magnificat," based on Hannah's hymn (1Sa 2:2). In it we see a spirit that drank deeply at the wells of Scripture, a humility that "magnified the Lord" not self, that "rejoiced" as a sinner in "her Savior" (disproving Rome's dogma of the immaculate conception), a lively sense of gratitude at the mighty favor which the Mighty One conferred on one so low, a privilege which countless Jewish mothers had desired (Da 11:37, "the desire of women"), and for which all generations should count ("call") her happy (makariousin, compare Ge 30:13), and an exemplification of God's eternal principle of abusing "the proud and exalting them of low degree," and a realization of God's faithfulness to His promises "to Abraham of mercy and help to Israel forever." Mary stayed with her cousin three months, and just before John the Baptist's birth returned to her own house at Nazareth.
Then followed Joseph's discovery of the conception and his tender dealing with her, and reception of her by God's command (Matthew 1), as being the virgin foretold who should bring forth Immanuel (Isa 7:14; Jer 31:22). (See JOSEPH.) Augustus' decree (Luke 2) obliged them to go to Bethlehem, God thereby causing His prophecy (Mic 5:2) to be fulfilled, Mary there giving birth to the Savior. The shepherds' account of the angels caused wonder to others, "but Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart"; so again Lu 2:51, not superficial, but reflective and thoughtfully devout. The law regarded her as unclean until the presentation 40 days after the birth (Leviticus 12). Then she was bound to offer a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or turtle dove for a sin offering, to make atonement for her poverty compelled her to substitute for the lamb a pigeon or turtle dove.
Simeon's hymn followed, at the close of which he foretold, "a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed"; the anguish of her Son should pierce the mother's heart, and be a testing probation of character to her as well as to all others (Joh 9:39; 19:25; Ps 42:10); that she had misgivings and doubts is implied in her accompanying His brethren afterward, as if enthusiasm was carrying Him too far (Mt 12:46; Mr 3:21,31-35; Joh 7:5). The flight to Egypt followed; then the return, at first designed to be back to Bethlehem, but through fear of Archelaus to Nazareth of Galilee, their former home.
Then the visit to Jerusalem when Jesus was
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The Earth was void and empty and darkness was upon the deep, and the spirit of God moved upon the water.
Then said Lea, "Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed." And called his name Asher.
And every daughter that possesseth any inheritance among the tribes of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the kindred of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his father,
And thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest the franchised cities of the slayer, Hebron with her suburbs, and Libnah with her suburbs; and Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs, read more. and Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs, and Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs: Nine cities out of those two tribes.
Blessed be Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite, above other women: above other women blessed be she in the tent.
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said, "The LORD is with thee, thou man of might."
There is none so holy as the LORD: no, there is none save thou. Neither is there any strength like unto our God.
And Amaziah said again to the man of God, "What shall we do then, for the hundred talents which I have given unto the host of Israel?" And the man of God said, "The LORD is able to give thee much more than that."
My bones are smitten asunder as with a sword, while mine enemies that trouble me cast me in the teeth, daily saying unto me, "Where is now thy God?"
His name shall endure forever; his name shall remain under the sun among the posterities, which shall be blessed in him. And all the heathen shall praise him.
The LORD hath made a faithful oath unto David, and he shall not shrink from it, "Of the fruit of the body shall I set upon thy seat.
Neverthelater, yet the Lord, he will give you a sign. Behold: a virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Then shall Jerusalem be called the LORD's seat, and all Heathen shall be gathered unto it, for the name of the LORD's sake, which shall be set up at Jerusalem. And from that time forth, they shall follow no more the imagination of their own froward heart.
How long wilt thou go astray, O thou shrinking daughter? For the LORD will work a new thing upon earth: A woman shall compass a man.
Upon this there touched me, again, one much like a man, and comforted me, saying, "O thou man so well beloved, fear not: be content, take a good heart unto thee, and be strong." So when he had spoken unto me, I recovered, and said, "Speak on, my lord, for thou hast refreshed me."
He shall not regard the God of his fathers, nor the desires of women. Yea, he shall not care for any God, for he shall magnify himself above all.
And thou Bethlehem Ephrata, art little among the thousands of Judah: Out of thee shall come one, unto me, which shall be the governour in Israel: whose outgoing hath been from the beginning, and from everlasting.
And, behold, they cried out, saying, "O Jesus, the son of God, what have we to do with thee? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time be come?"
While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without the doors, desiring to speak with him.
And he stretched forth his hand over his disciples, and said, "Behold my mother and my brethren. For whosoever doth my father's will which is in heaven, the same is my brother, my sister, and my mother."
For whosoever doth my father's will which is in heaven, the same is my brother, my sister, and my mother."
saying, "Let me be: what have we to do with thou, Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee, what thou art, thou art even that holy man promised of God."
And when they that longed unto him heard of it, they went out to hold him. For they said, "He is too fervent."
And when they that longed unto him heard of it, they went out to hold him. For they said, "He is too fervent."
And then came his mother and his brethren, and stood without, and sent unto him and called him:
And then came his mother and his brethren, and stood without, and sent unto him and called him: And the people sat about him, and said unto him, "Behold, thy mother and thy brethren seek for thee without."
And the people sat about him, and said unto him, "Behold, thy mother and thy brethren seek for thee without." And he answered them, saying, "Who is my mother, and my brethren?"
And he answered them, saying, "Who is my mother, and my brethren?" And he looked round about on his disciples, which sat in compass about him, and said, "Behold, my mother, and my brethren:
And he looked round about on his disciples, which sat in compass about him, and said, "Behold, my mother, and my brethren: For whosoever doeth the will of God, he is my brother, my sister and mother."
For whosoever doeth the will of God, he is my brother, my sister and mother."
And there was a cloud that shadowed them. And a voice came out of the cloud saying, "This is my dear son, hear him."
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall neither drink wine nor strong drink. And he shall be filled with the holy ghost, even in his mother's womb:
And Zacharias said unto the angel, "Whereby shall I know this? Seeing that I am old, and my wife well stricken in years."
his wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
And the angel went in unto her, and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."
He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the highest. And the Lord God shall give unto him the seat of his father David:
And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age. And this is her sixth month, though she be called barren,
And Mary said, "Behold the handmaiden of the Lord, be it unto me even as thou hast said." And the angel departed from her.
And Mary said, "Behold the handmaiden of the Lord, be it unto me even as thou hast said." And the angel departed from her. And Mary arose in those days, and went into the mountains with haste into a city of Jewry,
And blessed art thou that believedst: For those things shall be performed which were told thee from the Lord."
And blessed art thou that believedst: For those things shall be performed which were told thee from the Lord." And Mary said, "My soul magnifieth the Lord.
For he hath looked on the poor degree of his handmaiden. Behold, now from henceforth shall all generations call me blessed.
For he hath looked on the poor degree of his handmaiden. Behold, now from henceforth shall all generations call me blessed.
But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondered them in her heart.
And he went with them, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And he went with them, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And he went with them, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart.
Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for press. And they told him, saying, "Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, and would see thee." read more. He answered, and said unto them, "My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it."
And it fortuned, as he thus spake those things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, "Happy is the womb that bare thee and the paps, which gave thee suck.
And it fortuned, as he thus spake those things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, "Happy is the womb that bare thee and the paps, which gave thee suck. But he said, "Yea, happy are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."
But he said, "Yea, happy are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."
And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw the glory of it, as the glory of the only begotten son of the father, which word was full of grace, and verity.
This is he of whom I said, 'After me cometh a man, which went before me. For he was before me,
His mother said unto the ministers, "Whatsoever he sayeth unto you, do it."
After that, descended he into Capernaum, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: But continued not many days there.
For as yet his brethren believed not in him.
Jesus said, "I am come unto judgment, into this world: that they which see not, might see, and they which see might be made blind."
There stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.
There stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple standing whom he loved, he said unto his mother, "Woman behold thy son." read more. Then said he to the disciple, "Behold thy mother." And from that hour the disciple took her for his own.
These all continued with one accord, in prayer, and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
that make mention of his son, the which was begotten unto him of the seed of David, as pertaining to the flesh:
As it is written, "I have made thee a father to many nations," even before God whom thou hast believed, which quickeneth the dead and called those things which be not, as though they were. Which Abraham, contrary to hope, believed in hope: that he should be the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, "So shall thy seed be." read more. And he fainted not in the faith, nor yet considered his own body, which was now dead, even when he was almost a hundred years old: neither yet that Sara was past childbearing. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief: But was made strong in the faith, and gave honour to God, full certified that what he had promised, that he was able to make good.
to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherewith he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have known what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitiful, and merciful.