Mary

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a young Jewish woman from Nazareth betrothed to Joseph, a descendant of David. 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 (Matthew 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 (Luke 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 (Matthew 27:56, 61; Mark 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).