What Does the Bible Teach About Mary?

Common Teachings about Mary:

Immaculate Conception

In the Constitution Ineffabilis Deus of 8 December, 1854, Pius IX pronounced and defined that the Blessed Virgin Mary "in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin."

No direct or categorical and stringent proof of the dogma can be brought forward from Scripture.

Mary’s Perpetual Virginity

Matthew 1:25 “but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”

Matthew 12:46 “While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.”

Matthew 13:55 “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?”

Mary’s sinlessness

Mary's complete exemption from actual sin is confirmed by the Council of Trent (Session VI, Canon 23): "If any one say that man once justified can during his whole life avoid all sins, even venial ones, as the Church holds that the Blessed Virgin did by special privilege of God, let him be anathema." Theologians assert that Mary was impeccable, not by the essential perfection of her nature, but by a special Divine privilege.

Mary’s Spiritual Motherhood

Co-Redemptrix

Catholic Popes have referred to Mary as "co-redemptrix," "the gate of heaven," "Advocate," and "Mediatrix," ascribing to her a cooperative role in the work of salvation. It should be noted that the official Catholic stance is that Mary's elevated status "neither takes away from nor adds anything to the dignity and efficaciousness of Christ the one Mediator."

The Assumption

What the Bible Teaches about Mary

She was chosen to be the mother of Jesus.

She was a woman of faith.

She accompanied Jesus during His earthly ministry.

She was entrusted to John at Jesus’ crucifixion.

She was with the other believers after the resurrection of Jesus. Acts 1:14 “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”

What the Bible does not say about Mary

The title Mother of God.

That she was in a position of authority over the apostles.

That she serves in any capacity as an interceder.

That you should pray to Mary.

That she had any role in the work of salvation outside of giving birth to Jesus.