Did Mary, mother of Jesus, remain a virgin?

Question

Did Mary, Jesus' mother, remain a virgin until her death?
Can you provide references from the Bible? If there are no references should this remain a christian belief?

MARK B - WILL YOU LEAVE ME ALONE. I GAVE YOU ADVICE ABOUT MEETING GAY BLACK MEN. SEE MY RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION YOU POSTED IN THE GAY/BI/TRANSSEXUAL SECTION.
I AM NOT ANTI GAY IN ANY WAY BUT SOME OF YOUR SEXUAL FANTASIES INVOLVING OTHER MEN ARE PLAIN NASTY!!!!

Answer 1

+ Sources of Doctrine +

The Catholic Church does not use Holy Scripture as the only basis of doctrine. It could not. The early Catholic church existed before and during the time that the New Testament was written (by Catholics).

There were hundreds of Christian writings during the first and second centuries. Which New Testament writings would become official was not fully decided until about 400 AD.

Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit was guiding the early church (and is guiding the church today) to make the correct choices about things like:
+ The Holy Trinity (which is also only hinted at in the Bible)
+ Going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday (which is actually directly against one of the Ten Commandments)
+ The Communion of Saints
+ Which writings include in the New Testament?

Things that are even more modern like
+ Slavery is bad. Slavery is never declared evil in the Bible. This was one of the justifications for slavery in the Confederate States.
+ Democracy is good. The Bible states that either God should be the leader of the nation like Israel before the kings or kings should be the leader, "Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's." This was talked about a lot during the American Revolution.

This second source of doctrine is called Apostolic Tradition.

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2.htm#80

+ The Perpetual Virginity of Mary +

The doctrine of the Mary's perpetual virginity is neither affirmed not denied by Scripture. The belief goes back to the first and second centuries and has been taught by Apostolic Tradition ever since: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_virginity_of_Mary

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I am sorry I can't provide proof, but I saw a History program about it, many do think she remained a virgin until her death, but there is a lost book of the bible out there about the life of Jesus that says he had brothers and sisters. Some scholars say that they were Joseph's children from a previous marriage, that he was a much older man than Mary and had at least 6 other children. Now some say that James, Jesus' most beloved disciple was really his brother. I myself believe that she would have had other children, I find it hard to believe that even if she was chosen by God that her husband wouldn't have demanded his rights over her like they did in those days and left her untouched and not make her have any of his children. I don't see why Christians couldn't accept that he had siblings, or at least half siblings, it doesn't take away from the miracle any, and makes sense in the way the world would have worked then. He may have been the son of God, but he was raised as all us humans are, by human parents.

Answer 3

This is a hard answer to find sources for. The Bible obviously talks about Jesus' brothers and sisters, but I have heard people on here say those were Joseph's kids from another marriage. Since we weren't there, it's hard to argue that. I have tried to research this Catholic belief, and the only evidence I can find to support the "eternal virgin" theory is in the Catechism of the Catholic faith. That doesn't make it Biblical. Many churches have many different beliefs about all sorts of things. They just reflect how people feel we should live, they don't always have Biblical reasons. I've also seen an argument that this "eternal virgin" theory, along with the belief that Mary was conceived immaculately (another Catholic belief) are traits usually left for Godesses in the Roman times, and that's how the beliefs entered the church. I don't think we will ever know how these beliefs started, but I hope we can keep searching for the truth.

Answer 4

I am 100% certain that Mary, the mother of Jesus did not remain a virgin until her death. Mary was betrothed to Joseph to be his wife. This was common practice in biblical days to be pre-engaged to a man by the choice of the father (Joseph's Father Perhaps).
The heavenly agreement was that Joseph would not touch Mary sexually until after the baby Jesus had been conceived. The continued marriage agreement of Mary and Joseph would have saved her life, so she would not be falsely stoned for adultery.
It is quite clear in the scripture that Jesus had other siblings in his family, some were very vivid in his following. The clear indication of other sibling says to us that Mary and Joseph did eventually wed and have children together. And, yes I can provide references in the bible to validate christian belief and the virgin birth, not the virgin life. Think about it.
Signed, The Preacher.

Answer 5

You ask a good question. No she didn't remain a virgin, and in the same book as you can read about her in the first place, you can read more stuff about her and Jesus. It'll show you that the marriage wasn't consummated until after Jesus was born. It's here in the first chapter of Matthew - 'and Joseph did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.' Have a look, it's verse 25. :-) Then you could look at chapter 13 where it says

'Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us?' That's verse 55&56.

It's worth remembering that although some things are impossible to us, they are possible with God.

Answer 6

I have been a Christian for many years and I have never believed that Mary remained a VIRGIN throughout her life. In, fact, she and Joseph were married and had other children according to "historical data". I believe that some Catholics may believe this but we do not! Mary was as we are. I read the "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD". It is difficult to imagine that a married woman would remain a virgin throughout her lifetime. The BIBLE has no references of such! This is not a TRUE CHRISTIAN BELIEF (by the way). Have a great week.
Eds

Answer 7

While Mary was indeed a virgin when Jesus was born, she did not remain so for her entire life. Jesus had other siblings and the bible talks about them. (Matt 13:53-56, Mark 3:31-35) Many will tell you that Mary was always a virgin, however this is not a biblical teaching.

Answer 8

It a false belief residing in catholocism.
Catholic doctrine says that Mary was a perpetual virgin, that she never had additional children , although the Bible plainly lists the children of Joseph and Mary, conceived and born after Jesus' birth. The included James ,w ho wrote the book of James; Jude,who wrote the book of Jude;another named Simon; and at least two sisters who are not specifically named in the Bible. References to Mary's other children can be found by reading Matthew 13:55-56 , Mark 3:31-33,Luke 8:19


Please don't confuse Catholocism with Christianity. These verses are one of many proofs that the catholic church try to hide. this is why they discourage their parishoners from reading the Bible, or at least the true , non-catholic bible (verses twisted,taken away, added to and even books added) because they may find out the truth.

Answer 9

Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus, the worlds saviour, the Son of God. After Jesus was born she and Joseph went onto have sons and daughters. The epistles of James and Jude in the New Testament were written by the brothers of Jesus

Answer 10

The Bible says that Jesus’ brothers were named “James and Joseph and Simon and Judas.” And Jesus had sisters who were alive when he was preaching. Since Jesus was the firstborn, these were all younger than he was.—Matthew 13:55, 56; Luke 1:34, 35.

James, Jesus’ half brother to whom He appeared personally, is presented in the Scriptures as having an outstanding role in the Christian congregation. He wrote a divinely inspired letter to his fellow Christians, admonishing them to maintain their faith. (Acts 15:6-29; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:18, 19; 2:9; James 1:1) Another half brother, Jude, wrote an inspired letter to encourage fellow believers to put up a hard fight for the faith. (Jude 1)

His sisters were not named.