What Mary is called

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:1-2In context. Paul greets the church at Colossae: ‘to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ’. The word for saints means holy ones.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She called out with a loud voice, and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!” Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.

Luke 1:41-48In context. Mary visiting Elizabeth: Elizabeth calls her ‘the mother of my Lord’, and Mary’s song begins, rejoicing in God ‘my Savior’, who has looked on his servant’s low state.

Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’ He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?” The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing spoken by God is impossible.” Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” The angel departed from her.

Luke 1:26-38In context. Gabriel sent to Mary in Nazareth: ‘Rejoice, you highly favoured one’, the promise of a son who will be the Son of the Most High, her question, and her answer, ‘let it be done to me according to your word’.

Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state 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. Holy is his name. His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.

Luke 1:46-50In context. Mary’s song after Elizabeth’s greeting: her spirit rejoices in God her Savior; all generations will call her blessed; ‘Holy is his name.’

Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state 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. Holy is his name. His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.

Luke 1:46-50In context. Mary’s song after Elizabeth’s greeting: her spirit rejoices in God her Savior; all generations will call her blessed; ‘Holy is his name.’

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She called out with a loud voice, and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!” Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.

Luke 1:41-48In context. Mary visiting Elizabeth: Elizabeth calls her ‘the mother of my Lord’, and Mary’s song begins, rejoicing in God ‘my Savior’, who has looked on his servant’s low state.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:1-14In context. John’s opening: the Word was with God and was God, all things were made through him, and ‘the Word became flesh, and lived among us’.

who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises; of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.

Romans 9:4-5In context. Paul, grieving that most of Israel has not believed, lists what God gave them, ending with Christ, who came from them “as concerning the flesh” and is “over all, God”.

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.

Galatians 4:4-5In context. Paul to the Galatians: when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.” Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel”; which is, being interpreted, “God with us.” Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself; and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25In context. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth: Joseph learns Mary is with child by the Holy Spirit, names the child Jesus, and ‘didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth’.

Coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom, and these mighty works? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all of these things?”

Matthew 13:54-56In context. In his home town the people ask where Jesus got his wisdom, and name his mother Mary, his brothers and his sisters.

Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand. His brothers therefore said to him, “Depart from here, and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do. For no one does anything in secret, and himself seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world.” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.

John 7:2-5In context. John before the Feast of Booths: Jesus’ brothers urge him to show himself in Judea, and John adds that even they did not yet believe in him.

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Acts 1:12-14In context. Luke on the days after the ascension: the eleven apostles pray in the upper room with the women, with Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Matthew 27:55-56In context. Matthew at the cross: women who had followed Jesus from Galilee watch from a distance, among them a Mary who is the mother of James and Joses.

Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state 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. Holy is his name. His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.

Luke 1:46-50In context. Mary’s song after Elizabeth’s greeting: her spirit rejoices in God her Savior; all generations will call her blessed; ‘Holy is his name.’

But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;

Romans 3:21-24In context. Paul to the Romans: all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ.

Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16In context. The letter to the Hebrews: Jesus is the great high priest who was tempted as we are, so come boldly to the throne of grace.

Don’t you see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead the dough, to make cakes to the queen of the sky, and to pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke me to anger. Do they provoke me to anger?” says the LORD. “Don’t they provoke themselves, to the confusion of their own faces?”

Jeremiah 7:17-19In context. The LORD to Jeremiah about Judah’s idolatry: families bake cakes for the ‘queen of the sky’, a goddess, and pour drink offerings to other gods. Other translations say ‘queen of heaven’.

Bathsheba therefore went to king Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. The king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself to her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a throne to be set for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right hand. Then she said, “I ask one small petition of you; don’t deny me.” The king said to her, “Ask on, my mother; for I will not deny you.” She said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as wife.” King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also; for he is my elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.” Then king Solomon swore by the LORD, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life. Now therefore as the LORD lives, who has established me, and set me on my father David’s throne, and who has made me a house as he promised, surely Adonijah shall be put to death today.” King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell on him, so that he died.

1 Kings 2:19-25In context. Bathsheba, the king’s mother, brings Solomon a request. He rises, bows and seats her at his right hand, then refuses the request and has Adonijah, who asked it, put to death.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4In context. Paul opens his second letter to Corinth by blessing God, ‘the Father of mercies and God of all comfort’, who comforts us in every trouble.

If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4In context. Paul to the Colossians: seek the things above, where Christ is; your life is hidden with Christ in God, and ‘Christ, our life’ will be revealed.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope; to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Timothy 1:1-2In context. Paul greets Timothy as an apostle by the command of God our Savior and of ‘the Lord Jesus Christ our hope’.

My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

1 John 2:1-2In context. John to believers: if anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Many Bibles translate the word ‘Advocate’.

I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony in its own times;

1 Timothy 2:1-6In context. Paul to Timothy: pray for all people, including kings, because God wants all to be saved, and ‘there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus’.

The third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the marriage. When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”

John 2:1-5In context. At a wedding in Cana the wine runs out. Mary tells Jesus, ‘They have no wine,’ and tells the servants, ‘Whatever he says to you, do it.’

I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony in its own times;

1 Timothy 2:1-6In context. Paul to Timothy: pray for all people, including kings, because God wants all to be saved, and ‘there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus’.

be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in him does this man stand here before you whole. He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’ There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”

Acts 4:10-12In context. Peter before the Jewish council, after a lame man is healed in Jesus’ name: ‘There is salvation in none other.’

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas; though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah.

Psalm 46:1-3In context. A psalm of trust: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,’ so we will not fear though the earth shakes.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2In context. A song for pilgrims going up to Jerusalem: ‘My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.’

Jesus therefore said to them again, “Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep’s door. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture.

John 10:7-9In context. Jesus to the Pharisees, in his teaching on the good shepherd: ‘I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved.’

David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, “How could the LORD’s ark come to me?” So David would not move the LORD’s ark to be with him in David’s city; but David carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house. The LORD’s ark remained in Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house three months; and the LORD blessed Obed-Edom and all his house.

2 Samuel 6:9-11In context. After Uzzah dies touching the ark, David is afraid and asks, ‘How could the LORD’s ark come to me?’ The ark stays three months in the house of Obed-Edom, who is blessed.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She called out with a loud voice, and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!” Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.

Luke 1:41-48In context. Mary visiting Elizabeth: Elizabeth calls her ‘the mother of my Lord’, and Mary’s song begins, rejoicing in God ‘my Savior’, who has looked on his servant’s low state.

For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:22-24In context. Paul to Corinth: Jews ask for signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, ‘the power of God and the wisdom of God’.

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:16-17In context. At the close of Revelation, Jesus speaks: ‘I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star.’

But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.

John 19:25-27In context. At the cross Jesus gives his mother to the disciple he loved, ‘Behold, your mother!’, and the disciple takes her into his home.

For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ. So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life. For as through the one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.

Romans 5:17-19In context. Paul sets Adam beside Christ: as one man’s disobedience made many sinners, so one man’s obedience will make many righteous.

Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’ He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?” The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing spoken by God is impossible.” Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” The angel departed from her.

Luke 1:26-38In context. Gabriel sent to Mary in Nazareth: ‘Rejoice, you highly favoured one’, the promise of a son who will be the Son of the Most High, her question, and her answer, ‘let it be done to me according to your word’.

They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, the Almighty! Righteous and true are your ways, you King of the nations. Who wouldn’t fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Revelation 15:3-4In context. In John’s vision those who overcame sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb: who would not fear the Lord, ‘For you only are holy.’