The Portrayal Of Mary In The Gospels

The Gospels each present different portrayals of Mary, the Mother of God. Although visible in both Mark and Matthew, Mary becomes more prominent in Luke and John. Significantly, Mary is depicted as a woman, a mother and a person of faith who was chosen by God to be his faithful servant at the central moment of his plan of salvation.

The role of Mary is depicted in the earliest Gospel. However, Mark does not offer up any profound reflections other than to establish some basic facts: Jesus was born of a woman, he had a mother, and her name was Mary. In Mark 3:21, reference to Jesus’ mother is made “Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived”. Though, it is not until Mark 6:3 where Mary is first mentioned by name “Is this not the carpenter,

Luke reveals not only Mary’s unique greatness but portrays her as the first and most wonderful of all believers. This has led to speculation that Luke may derive from Mary’s own testimony (Hanh). This is particularly so with the Lucan infancy narrative (Lk 1-2), where she is at the centre of the story. Luke recounts the Annunciation (Lk 1:26-38), of Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth who pronounces her “blessed” (Lk 1:42), and of Jesus’ birth in a manager (Lk 2:5-7). However, Luke’s interest in Mary does not cease there. She appears during Jesus’ public ministry (Lk 8:19-21) and also in Lk 11:27-28, where a woman in the crowd sings her praises.

Similar to Luke, John reveals the significant role that Mary. However, John’s style and theological approach is very different from the Synoptic Gospels. Literature suggests what is hinted in Luke becomes an open proclamation in John. That Mary had an important role to play in Jesus’ birth but also in his ongoing work. Interestingly, the mother of Jesus is never called “Mary” only “woman” or “Jesus’ Mother” (Ratzinger). Unlike the previous gospels, John is the only one to narrate Mary’s presences at Jesus’ crucifixion (Jn 2:1-11). It is here that Jesus’ proclaims “woman, here is your