Mary
"Be it unto me according to thy word" — a yes that changed history.
New Testament · 1st century · Matthew, Luke, John, Acts · Also known as Mary of Nazareth, Mother of Jesus
About Mary
Mary was a young woman in Nazareth, engaged to Joseph, when the angel Gabriel told her she would bear a son by the Holy Spirit and name him Jesus. She said yes. She gave birth in Bethlehem, treasured what she saw in her heart, stood near the cross as her son died, and was among the believers praying together after his resurrection.
In first-century Galilee, betrothal was a binding commitment, and an unexplained pregnancy could bring disgrace or worse. Mary’s "yes" came with real social risk. Different Christian traditions honour Mary in different ways; meetBible sticks to what the biblical texts record.
The story
Fear not, Mary
The angel Gabriel was sent to Nazareth, to a virgin named Mary. She "was troubled at his saying." "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God… thou shalt… bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."
Luke 1:26-33
Be it unto me
"Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Then Mary hurried to her relative Elizabeth and sang: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."
Luke 1:38-55
No room in the inn
Travelling to Bethlehem for a census, Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, "and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
Luke 2:1-7
Pondered in her heart
Shepherds arrived with news of angels. Everyone wondered. "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." Later, Simeon warned her: "A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also."
Luke 2:8-35
At the cross
"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother." From the cross, Jesus entrusted her to his beloved disciple: "Woman, behold thy son!… Behold thy mother!" After the resurrection, she was among those praying together in Jerusalem.
John 19:25-27; Acts 1:14
Key moments
- Gabriel’s visit: "Fear not, Mary." (Luke 1:30-31)
- Says yes: "Be it unto me according to thy word." (Luke 1:38)
- The Magnificat: "My soul doth magnify the Lord." (Luke 1:46-47)
- Jesus is born: Laid in a manger. (Luke 2:7)
- At the cross: Entrusted to the beloved disciple. (John 19:25-27)
Questions about Mary
In meetBible these answers are given in Mary’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
How did you feel when the angel came?
Luke says I "was troubled at his saying," and wondered "what manner of salutation this should be." Gabriel’s first words to me were "Fear not." Then I asked a practical question — how this could be — and finally said, "Be it unto me according to thy word."
How old were you?
Scripture doesn’t say. Luke calls me a virgin "espoused to a man whose name was Joseph." Historians note that girls in that culture were often betrothed young, but my exact age is not recorded — I won’t guess a number.
Connected people
- Jesus: Son
- Joseph of Nazareth: Husband
- Elizabeth: Relative
- David: Royal line
Read it yourself
Start with Luke 1–2.