New Testament and Mary: an overview

New Testament and Mary: An Overview

The presence of Mary in the New Testament is subtle yet theologically rich. While the Gospel accounts are scarce in quantity, they are profound in meaning. For a comprehensive article on the Gospels: Gospels and Mary. For information on the Old Testament: Mary in the Old Testament.

The Lucas Corpus

Lucas (the Gospel and Acts) is the primary New Testament source concerning Mary. The Gospel includes: Annunciation, Visitation, Magnificat, Nativity, Presentation, and Meeting at the Temple. Acts mentions Mary at the Cenacle (Acts 1:14), the only post-Pentecostal reference.

The Johannine Corpus

John mentions Mary in two instances (see: Gospels and Mary): Caná (John 2) and the Calvary (John 19). Revelation 12 presents the “Woman clothed with the sun,” interpreted by tradition as a symbol of Mary and the Church.

Paul and the Virgin

Paul indirectly refers to Mary’s virginity in Galatians 4:4: “God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.” The phrase “born of a woman” without mentioning a father is exegetically understood as an allusion to the Virgin Conception. This is Paul’s most direct reference to Mary’s motherhood.Dive deeper: Explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions, and the Master’s in Mariology.

Church Magisterium

> Magisterial Citation: *In Scripturis Novum Testamentum invenitur Maria: in Evangelis Nativitatis, in ministerio publico Iesu, sub Cruce, et in Cenaculo Pentecostes.*
> *Concilium Vaticanum II, Const. Dogm. Lumen Gentium, n. 58*Translation: Mary is found in the New Testament: in the Gospels of the Nativity, in Jesus’ public ministry, under the Cross, and at the Cenacle of Pentecost.