Why was Mary a virgin? Why didn't she and Joseph consumate their marriage?

Answer 1

They never consumated their marriage because Mary was a consecrated virgin. It was a fairly common practice at the time. Many young Jewish women would consecrate themselves to God as virgins, through a special ceremony in the temple, before the rabbi. Some consecrated virgins would remain single, but some would marry, usually to a much older man. This way the man would receive companionship and domestic assistance while the virgin would receive security and protection. This was always done with the understanding that the sacred vows of the consecrated virgin would be honored. And Joseph did honor Mary in that way until the day he died.

The practice still endures today. I personally know three women, now middle aged, who have taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as consecrated virgins, in the diocesan cathedral, before the bishop. They are not religious sisters or nuns. They are laywomen who have taken an additional step in spiritual growth. Rarely do such women marry today, but it is possible that one might, under the usual requirements.

Answer 2

Mary was totally consecrated to God from the moment of her conception. She still is.

In spite of what some think, based on their flawed interpretation of scripture, the Blessed Virgin Mary remained a virgin throughout her existence.

In a very real sense, the Holy Spirit acted as her "spouse" when Jesus was conceived in her womb.

Having sex with anyone after such an event would be a sacrilege.

He marriage to St. Joseph was non-sexual in nature, according to God's plan.

The apostles were contemporaries of the Blessed Virgin, along with many other disciples of Christ.

They knew first hand that Jesus had no brothers and sisters by Mary, and they passed that information along to others via sacred Tradition.

No one thought that anyone would ever seriously question the issue, so the Bible doesn't provide much detail.

At the foot of the cross, Jesus entrusted Mary into the care of St. John. If there had been any siblings, such an act would have been an insult to the entire "family".

Answer 3

All of this stuff about Mary and Joseph having children after the birth of Jesus is hog wash and don't listen to them ---they are being sacriligious. Since when is it open season on the Mother of God. She was a virgin and she will always be a virgin. It is most probable that Joseph had children by another marriage or that the brothers and sisters that it talks of in the Bible were actually close relatives. There was no word for cousin in the Aramaic language so often times close relatives were called brothers or sisters. Now, Mary's virginity can be seen by looking at everything that pertained to the Ark of the Covenant and at the book of Esther just to name a few. The Ark of the Covenant was never to be touched because if it was the person who touched it died. Mary was always thought of as the new Ark of the Covenant because within her was the Heavenly Bread, the Word of God--everything that was in the Ark--Mary carried within her. She was revered for this even after the birth of Jesus. If you were Joseph could you even think about a physical relationship with someone who you knew was God's Mother. No, you would not!! It is just this world today that tells us that no one can be happy without sex all the time but I tell you people have remained celibate for centuries. God can and does provide the grace for this. Read the book of Esther. The queen was given to the Kings eunuchs for care. You bet Joseph knew what was expected of him and it certainly was not sex with the Holy Mother of God.

Answer 4

Because there was a prophecy, first of all, that the son of God, the Messiah, would be born of a virgin. Mary was the earthly mother of Jesus, but God's spirit was the Father. That is why Jesus is the son of God. The bible says that Mary and Joseph, who, yes, were married (after an angel told Joseph in a dream not to be afraid to take her as his wife, that the child she carried was by the holy spirit of God), did not have sexual relations until after Jesus was born.

Answer 5

Mary was a virgin because it was prophsized that she would be.

All right then, the Lord himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel--'God is with us.' Isaiah 7:14

I don't remember where it says that Mary and Joseph waited until Jesus was born, I couldn't find it. Perhaps they considered their own gratification as irrelevant next to the Holy one in Mary, if they did.

Answer 6

Some think it was a matter of modern people misunderstanding ancient thinking, in early times a woman was considered a virgin until she had her first child...people really didn't have any other way of knowing for sure, only the married couple knew. Poor people didn't have access to doctors and didn't do exams like we do, think about it. Sometimes when they married the womanyoung, the husband would wait for health reasons, too young to safely bear a child for example....
If it was important (royal wedding, wealthy family) in some cultures they would display the wedding bed sheets to prove virginity, though a smart woman could finds ways around that problem too.

Answer 7

She had to be a virgin so that the Holy Spirit could come upon her and impregnant her with Jesus - who did not and could not have an earthly father - His Father had to be God. Jesus is without sin -- if he had had an earthly father, he could not have been sinless.

Mary and Joseph did consumate their marriage after Jesus was born. Jesus had brothers and sisters. It is a fact.

Answer 8

They were married, but did not consumate the marriage until sometime after the birth of Jesus Christ.

The bible mentions his brothers and sisters during the end of his ministry right before his crucifixion.

It is interesting to note, that his own brothers did not believe he was the messiah until after his death and resurection. Then they believed, became disiples and spread his message.

Answer 9

They weren't married, only traveling together. And by the way, this would never have happened this way, Mary would have been stoned to death for being pregnant without being married. And would never have been allowed to travel with another man without a chaperon, like her father, brother, uncle or the like. Another reason why the bible shouldn't be taken literal.

Answer 10

They did after Jesus was born, because He had half brothers and half sisters.

Jesus had to be conceived of the Holy Spirit instead of a man so the same fallen nature that Adam passed along to every person wouldn't be passed along to Him.

Just like apes can't evolve into or produce men, men can't produce God.