Mary: Perpetual Virginity

In this third part of Ascension Presents’ Mary study, Dr. Edward Sri, presenter of A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother explains why the Catholic Church teaches that Mary remained a virgin throughout her life. Dr. Sri points out that Jesus is called the “firstborn son” of Mary in Luke 2:7 not because Mary had other children, but because to be the firstborn son had such great significance in Jewish tradition. He also refutes the popular belief that Jesus had brothers, explaining that the term for “brother” is used quite often in the Bible while refering to extended family. He concludes with the greatest biblical proof for Mary’s perpetual virginity, John 19, when Jesus entrusts his mother to the care of the Apostle John. Dr. Sri argues that if Mary had other children Jesus would have entrusted his mother to them instead.