Mary in Biblical History

Bible History

Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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What is Mary?
MA'RY
, corresponding to the "Miriam "of the O.T. 1. The virgin mother of our Lord (and hence "blessed among women"), was of the trib of Judah, of the lineage of David, and by marriage connected with Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. who was of the tribe of Levi, of the lineage of Aaron. After the incidents belonging to the infancy of Jesus -- the visit of the shepherds, the circumcision, the adoration of the wise men, the presentation in the temple, and the flight into Egypt -- Mary is mentioned only four times in the records of sacred history: at the marriage of Cana of Galilee, John 2:3; the attempt to speak to Jesus while he was teaching, Matt 12:46; Mark 3:21, 1 Chr 24:31; Luke 8:19; the crucifixion, John 19:26; and during the days succeeding the ascension. Acts 1:14. She was present at the marriage in Cana, which took place in the three months between the baptism of Christ and the Passover of the year 27, and at which Jesus wrought his first miracle, after she had called attention to the lack of wine at the feast. She also sought an interview with him, in company with others of the family, when he was preaching to a crowd in a country place. She was present at his crucifixion, and was there commended by the expiring Redeemer to the filial kindness and attention of the beloved John; and she is mentioned as one among the praying company in the upper room at Jerusalem after the ascension of our Saviour. A great multitude of legends have clustered around her name, referring to her life before the birth of Christ and after his death, but most of them are extremely fabulous, and none of them seems to contain any historical kernel. 1. The wife of Cleophas, was present at the crucifixion and burial of our Lord, Matt 27:56, Josh 15:61, was among those who went to embalm him, Mark 16:1-10, was among the earliest to whom the news of his resurrection was announced, Luke 24:6, 1 Kgs 16:10, and on her way to the disciples with the intelligence she met her risen Lord and worshipped him. Matt 28:1, Gal 1:9. 2. The mother of John Mark, Acts 12:12, and aunt to Barnabas, Col 4:10, a godly woman residing at Jerusalem at whose house the disciples were convened the night Peter was miraculously delivered from prison. 3. The sister of Lazarus and Martha, and a devoted friend and disciple of our Saviour, from whom she received the testimony that she had chosen the good part which should not be taken from her. Luke 10:41-42. Compared with her sister, she appears of a more contemplative turn of mind and more occupied with the "one thing" needful. John 11:1; 1 Kgs 12:2. 4. Mary Magdalene, or Mary of Magdala. Luke 8:2. The general impression that she was an unchaste woman is entirely without foundation. There is nothing to warrant the opinion that she was identical with the woman who was a sinner. On the contrary, she was a woman in good circumstances and of unblemished character. Having been relieved of a demoniacal possession by the divine power of our Saviour, she became his follower, Luke 8:2-3, and evinced her attachment to him and his cause to the very last. She was at his crucifixion, John 19:25, and burial, Mark 15:47, and was among those who had prepared the materials to embalm him, Mark 16:1, and who first went to the sepulchre after the resurrection; and what is particularly interesting in her history, she was the first to whom the risen Redeemer appeared, Mark 16:9, and his conversation with her is exceeded in interest and pathos by no passage of history, sacred or profane. John 20:11-18. 5. A Christian woman in Rome to whom Paul sends his salutation. Rom 16:6. MAS'CHIL is found in the title or inscription of thirteen Psalms -- namely, 32, 42, 44, 45, 52-55, 74, 78, 88, 89, 142 -- and is by some explained as an aesthetical term meaning "didactic," by others as a musical term referring to the melody.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'mary' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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