The belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the "Mother of God," "Queen of Heaven," a perpetual virgin, and has an exalted place in Heaven, which provides her the closest access to Jesus and God the Father, is not taught anywhere in the Bible, which is the final and absolute authority for the Born-Again Christian.
When Gabriel told her that the child would be conceived by the Holy Spirit, Mary, an ordinary human whom God chose to use extraordinarily, answered, "Behold, I am the Lord’s servant. . . . Let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38 ESV). Mary responded with belief and a willingness to submit to God’s plan which made her “highly favored” by God because she received much grace for her willingness to be the first surrogate mother. As with every human being Mary understood she was full of sin and needed forgiving grace from God and a Savior, just like everyone else when she said “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47 ESV – see also Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 John 1:8).
Mary, the surrogate mother of Jesus, “treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart" (Luke 2:19 ESV) and remained a virgin until the Savior’s birth. Afterward, Joseph and Mary were blessed by God by having several children together: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas, as well as some unnamed sisters (Matthew 13:55-56). In the culture they lived in, having many children was accepted as proof of God’s blessing on a woman.
At one time, while Jesus was teaching, a woman in the crowd yelled out, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed” (Luke 11:27 ESV). Jesus responded, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28 ESV). Jesus was telling her and the people there that obedience to God’s Word was more important than being the woman who gave birth to the Savior.
The Bible does not say anywhere that Jesus or anyone else gave direct praise, glory, or adoration toward Mary. Her Aunt Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, who was the cousin of Jesus, praised and blessed her for giving birth to the Messiah, but it was not based on any divine glory in her (Luke 1:42-44). Afterward, Mary spoke a song to God, praising His mindfulness to those who are humble and for His mercy and faithfulness (Luke 1:46–55).
The Bible does not mention that the Apostles gave Mary any prominent role, nor is her death or her ascending to Heaven and having an exalted role there. Mary should be respected, but she is not worthy of our worship or adoration.
Jesus is our only advocate and mediator in Heaven (1 Timothy 2:5). Nowhere in the Bible does it indicate that Mary, or any person other than Jesus, can hear our prayers or mediate for us with God. Mary directed her worship, adoration, and praise to God alone:
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Luke 1:46–49 ESV).
THE FAMILY OF JESUS
Brothers
The Greek word used for "brothers" is the plural ‘adelphos’ which comes from the word ‘ach’ which is translated from Aramaic and Hebrew and has cognates in Ugaritic and most other Semitic languages. It is used in the Old Testament about 629 times. Its basic meaning represents a "male sibling," a "brother," and primarily means from the same womb and represents a full or a half-blood brother an even a blood relative or tribesman (Genesis 4:2,9:25,14:16, 29:12,15,31:32,37:14; Exodus 2:11). The word can also imply a companion or colleague that is a brother by choice and even an ally (Genesis 9:5-6; 19:6-7,29:4; 2 Kings 9:20; Isaiah 41:6; Numbers 8:26,20:14; 1 Kings 9:13).
In the New Testament, it is used for male children and descendants of the same mother or parents (Matthew 1:2; Acts 7:23; Galatians 1:19). The word is also used for people of the same nationality (Acts 3:17), any man or neighbor (Luke 10:29); a person united by a common interest or calling (Matthew 5:47; Revelation 22:9); mankind (Matthew 25:40); as well as disciples and Born-Again Believers (Matthew 23:8). However, the intended meaning is clear that the people thought Jesus was Joseph’s and Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas, as well as unnamed and unnumbered sisters.
The associated derivatives of ‘adelphos’ are ‘adelphotes’ meaning a brotherly relation/brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17); ‘philadelphos,’ (from ‘phileo,’ "to love," and ‘adelphos’), "fond of one's brethren," (1 Peter 3:8); ‘philadelphia,’ "brotherly love," (Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 1:7), and ‘pseudadelphos,’ "false brethren," (2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4).
Sisters
The Greek word used for "sisters" is ‘adelphé’ and comes from the word ‘achot’ which is a noun common to many Semitic languages." It occurs only 114 times in Scripture and is used more generally to denote a full or half-sister from a natural relationship by birth (Genesis 4:22, 20:12, 24:60), and can also refer to a biological Aunt on the father's or mothers side (Leviticus 18:12-13; 20:19). It is also used for a spiritual relationship with Jesus based upon faith in Him as the promised Messiah marked by the fulfillment of the will of the Father (Matthew 12:50; Mark 3:35; Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 7:15,9:5, James 2:15; Philemon 2).
“While He was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and His brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with Him." (Matthew 12:46 – see also Mark 3:31-34; Luke 8:19-21; John 2:12; Acts 1:14).
It is intellectually dishonest and illogical, requiring mental gymnastics to interpret the words “brothers” as referring to His cousins or relatives or the sons of Joseph from a previous marriage because they were often mentioned with Mary. It also seems illogical and intellectually dishonest to suggest that the people who were neighbors of Jesus for decades would use the words “brothers” and "sisters" in a way other than how it was used for centuries as a biological term, and yet, it somehow does not refer to the children of Mary.
FIFTEEN THOUGHT-PROVOKING FACTS TO CONSIDER
1. All humans have sinned (that includes Mary) and fallen short of the glory of God. If Jesus shared DNA with Mary, He would then have a sin nature (Romans 3:9-10, 23-34,5:19 - see also Genesis 6:12; 1 Kings 8:46; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Psalm 14:1,3,53:1,3,143:2; Luke 1:45-47)
2. Through one human, sin entered the world. Death spread to all (Romans 5:12). Adam, the common father of all mankind (and not Eve), was held accountable because he introduced the reign of death (the penalty of sin) by his sin into the world. The consequence was that the sinful nature began being passed on to every human being from that point on. Jesus is the only human who would have never naturally died because He had no sinful nature. He willingly gave Himself as the final sacrifice for our sins.
3. The sin nature was inherited from both Adam and Eve, who, because of their free will, chose to sin, and is now passed down to all human beings (including Mary) through their DNA, and ultimately results in their decay and death (Genesis 2:15-18). The Bible says that sin entered the world and death spread to everything (Romans 5:12). The sin nature was inherited from both Adam and Eve and was passed down to all human beings (including Mary) through their DNA (Genesis 2:15-18).
4. Once Mary was pregnant, she made sacrifices in accordance with and obedience to the Law God gave to Moses because of her sinful nature (Luke 2:21-24; Leviticus 12:6,24).
5. Mary declared that she was the handmaid of God and needed a Savior from sin because all humans are helpless and hopeless and need a Savior to pay the penalty for their sin to find redemption (Luke 1:46-47; Colossians 1:12-14). The Bible emphatically says, "for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23 – emphasis mine). It is not hyperbole.
6. Mary removed any idea of her pre-eminence so as not to assume exaltation above God's calling upon her life (Luke 1:48). If Mary did not have a sin nature, that would make her pre-eminent with the Trinity (i.e., co-equal with God). Mary was not the product of an 'immaculate conception,' which is a belief conjured up in 1854. The Bible makes no mention of it and teaches the complete opposite: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12). If Mary never sinned, then she would have never died because the Bible says the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Only God is Sinless.
7. The Greek Word for 'conceive is "sullambanoo" and means to bring forth, aid, assist, or help. Mary was "found with child" (Gk: 'en gaster echo" (womb/stomach) (Luke 1:30-38; Matthew 1:18).
8: A baby has 23 chromosomes from the biological father and 23 from the biological mother. The male 'Y' chromosome comes from the father's seed. God, the Father, is Spirit and not flesh (John 4:24). The Holy Spirit helped/assisted Mary to bring forth the child within her just as a nurse/Doctor would help a person giving birth whether or not they were the biological mother. Because God is a spirit and not flesh, that means He could not biologically father a child. Mary was conceived in sin, just like David, and had a sin nature that needed redemption. Jesus did not have 23 chromosomes from God (i.e., Himself) and 23 from Mary.
9. The first Adam (human) was made (formed) in the image of God (i.e., Jesus) (Genesis 1:26).
10. Jesus is the second Adam, who is God, the Son, and willingly chose to become human by being placed as a zygote into the womb of a human woman, and as the Triune God, was fully formed as a human being (1 Corinthians 15:45-49). Jesus is God and came to earth as the second Adam after willingly choosing to become human by being placed as a zygote into the womb of a human woman and, as the Triune God, was fully formed as a human being (IBID).
11. Jesus, the second Adam, was not of this world (John 8:23). The first Adam was from the dust of the earth (Gen 3:19). Jesus was not of this world (IBID) and was not formed into a zygote after God's sperm penetrated Mary's Ovum.
12. Mary and Joseph were of the biological line of David (via Adam and Eve), and Jesus denied being a descendant of David, which means there was no biological lineage within His DNA (Matthew 22:41-46; Luke 2:49).
13. Jesus has always existed and came to earth 100% fully God with all of His divine attributes, and became 100% fully man, and was not a half-human, half-divine demi-God (John 1:1-18; Philippians 2:5-8).
14. Jesus never referred to Mary as His natural mother (Gk: 'meter') (Matthew 12:47-50; John 19:26). One can be certain that one has ever referred to their biological mother as their natural mother or even their adoptive mother for that matter. Jesus referred to Mary as "woman" and never as "mother." The Bible does not say anywhere that Mary is the mother of all. Sin is not a stain as it is woven into the DNA of all human beings, which is why the Bible says no one is without it, including Mary (Ecclesiastes 7:20; John 3:1-36, 8:3-11; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 3:10; 1 John 1:8). Mary proclaimed that her spirit rejoiced in God (i.e., Jesus) who was her Savior (Luke 1:47). A person without sin would be equivalent to God and wouldn't need a Savior, nor would they ever die a natural death. Sadly, as with all living things, Mary did die.
15. Mary remains as having been a virgin when she willingly chose to carry her Creator in her womb, and for that, she will always be highly favored and blessed by the grace of God when she became the first surrogate mother. However, she was not the biological 'mother of God' nor did she provide 23 corrupted chromosomes of her fallen DNA. The Word (Jesus) didn't mix with fallen humans but became human flesh and dwelt among men (John 1:14).
CONCLUSION
It was not until 1978 that the first Test-Tube baby was born after Scientists placed a zygote in the womb of a surrogate human mother. In 5,000 years of human history, the possibility of that had been incomprehensible.
The Bible teaches that we are all born sinners with sinful, selfish natures. Unless we are born again by the Spirit of God, we will never see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Humanity is totally depraved; that is, all of us have a sinful nature that affects every part of us (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 7:14). The question is, where did that sinful nature come from? Were we born sinners, or did we choose to become sinners sometime after birth?
We are born with a sinful nature, and we inherited it from Adam. "Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people" (Romans 5:12). Every one of us was affected by Adam's sin; there are no exceptions. "One trespass resulted in condemnation for all people" (verse 18). We are all sinners, and we all share the same condemnation because we are all children of Adam.
Scripture indicates that even children have a sin nature, which argues for the fact that we are born sinners. "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child" (Proverbs 22:15). David says, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me" (Psalm 51:5). "Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies" (Psalm 58:3).
Before a person becomes Born-Again they "were by nature deserving of wrath" (Ephesians 2:3). Every human being deserves God's wrath not only because of their actions but because of their nature, which was inherited from Adam.
All people are born sinners, and for that reason, we are unable to do good in order to please God in our natural state, or the flesh: "Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:8). We were dead in our sins before Christ raised us to spiritual life (Ephesians 2:1). We lack any inherent spiritual good.
No one has to teach a child to lie; instead, a parent must go to great lengths to impress upon children the value of telling the truth. Toddlers are naturally selfish, with their innate, although faulty, understanding that everything is ‘mine.’ Sinful behavior comes naturally for them because they are born sinners, and every person must experience a second, spiritual birth.
We are born once into Adam's family and are sinners by nature. When we are Born-Again, we are born into God's family and are given the nature of Jesus. We praise the Lord that "to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God —children born not of natural descent . . . but born of God" (John 1:12–13).
Church tradition is based on human fallibility. Divine revelation is the ultimate authority, not the human tradition that has developed around it. Jesus rebuked the traditionalists of His day (Luke 11:37– 52). Tradition is only authoritative when it is based upon biblical truth. Nothing needs to be added to the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Jesus affirmed the importance of Scripture alone and never tradition (Matthew 4:1–11, 15:1-20, 22:29). God's written Word, the Bible, and not tradition, holds final authority (see Luke 24:25-27; Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17).
God's commands in the Bible alone are binding, and manmade traditions are not. Tradition must be under the authority of God's Word. Any tradition that contradicts it or distracts from it must be discarded. Tradition may be a way a person practices their faith, but saving faith is founded in God's truth found in the Bible and not fallible human tradition.
No matter what a person chooses to believe, the profound truth is that because God, the Son, is love, He willingly decided to leave the comfort and glory of Heaven and become human flesh, to dwell side by side with every person and get caught up with the garbage - and the sweat and blood - and the tears and the pain - of this world as He walked among us to prove and demonstrate concretely through the incarnation His love and care for all humanity.
The amazing facts are that the created would willingly carry in her womb the Creator, her maker, who was to grow within her and be raised by her, nurtured by her, taught by her, and loved by her (Luke 1:30-38). Jesus loves every person so much that He was willing to give Himself so that they could have life everlasting - starting today! This is the God we can entrust our hearts to!
