Mary, the Mother of Jesus Defining True Greatness (Endnotes)

1. The genealogy of Mary is recorded in Matthew 1:2-16. It is often thought that Matthew contains Joseph’s genealogy and Luke contains Mary’s, but this cannot be correct. For one thing, Mary is never mentioned in Luke, while Joseph is the last person in Luke’s genealogy. Furthermore, Mary is in the genealogy in Matthew 1:16, between Joseph (her father) and Jesus (her son). The reason for the confusion is that in almost all versions, Joseph is said to be the “husband” of Mary. Although the Greek word most versions translate “husband” is normally translated that way, it does not have to be, and in the Aramaic text, the word is more normally translated father, and a completely different word, meaning ‘husband,” is used just three verses later in verse 19. When Joseph is counted as Mary’s father, and then Mary and Jesus are counted, there are indeed fourteen generations from the exile to Babylon to Jesus, just as Matthew 1:17 says. Close

2. We believe Jesus was born in mid-September (Cp. Ernest Martin, The Star that Astonished the World; ASK Publications, Portland, OR, 1996, pp. 67-102). That would mean that Mary was impregnated by God in December. For further study on when Jesus was actually born, click here. Close

4. The Hebrew word that most English versions translate “virgin” (almah) does not have to be translated that way, and can refer to a young woman who is not necessarily a virgin, as many commentaries admit. This is especially important when we realize that there is a Hebrew word that more naturally does refer to a virgin (bethula). The Jewish Publication Societies Bible says “young woman,” as do some Christian Bibles such as the RSV*1, NRSV*2, and Moffatt Bible.*3 Furthermore, the future tense, “shall conceive” may be also translated “is pregnant,” as is represented in those same versions. Given the fact that Isaiah 7:14 does not demand a virgin birth, but can refer to a natural pregnancy and birth, it is no wonder that the Jewish people thought the birth of the Messiah would be a natural childbirth, and that is especially true when we take into account that no other verse in the Old Testament clearly supports a virgin birth. The wonderful thing about the Hebrew text in Isaiah 7:14 is that allows for, but does not demand, a virgin birth, so the text can readily apply to the virgin birth of Christ. *1 Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, © 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved. *2 Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989, all other information the same as RSV, *3 Moffatt Bible, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 1994. Close

5. This is a very literal rendering of the Greek text. To “know” someone was an idiom in both Greek and Hebrew (and Latin as well) for having sexual intercourse with that person. It is interwoven into the very fabric of humanity that our self and our sexuality are inseparable, and the most intimate knowledge of a person comes through sexual relations. That is one reason why we feel so deeply violated when someone forces himself or herself on us sexually. In this verse, the word “know” is in the present tense, active voice, indicating that Mary was not currently ‘knowing” anyone, i.e., having intercourse with anyone. Given that, it is no wonder she was confused as to how she was going to get pregnant. Close

6. In this psalm, or hymn, some of the words are moved forward for emphasis, so the text literally reads: “Magnify does my soul the Lord; Rejoiced has my spirit in God my Savior.” The opening word in the Latin versions is Magnificat, and so the psalm is known theologically by that name. Close

7. These regulations provide convincing proof that the Magi did not come to Bethlehem the night of Jesus’ birth, but rather quite a bit later (we believe about 16 months later). Scripture is clear that Joseph took his wife and child and left for Egypt in the middle of the night after the Magi left his house. However, according to the Law of Moses (Lev. 12), a woman had to wait for 40 days after childbirth to bring the boy to the Temple, which Luke 2:22 said they did. Also, a woman was allowed to sacrifice only what Joseph and Mary did, doves or pigeons, if they could not afford a lamb (Lev. 12:8). Had the Magi visited Jesus on the night of his birth, Joseph and Mary would then have certainly been able to afford a lamb. Close

8. In Scripture, angels almost never appeared in the sky, and when they did the text lets us know that. A quick study will show that angels regularly appeared on the ground, and there is no reason to suppose that this record would be different unless it specifically said so. Close

Home • Topics • Top 30 • Tell Friends • Contact Us