When we think about Mary, the mother of Jesus, our focus naturally turns to her extraordinary faith, her humility, and her obedience to God. But let’s zoom out for a moment: What about her parents? Who were they, and how might they have reacted to the astonishing—and culturally scandalous—news of their daughter’s miraculous pregnancy?
This untold angle of Mary’s story offers not only rich tradition but also lessons about faith, family, and trusting God in the face of the unexplainable.
Who Were Mary’s Parents?
The Bible doesn’t directly mention Mary’s parents, but Christian tradition fills in some of the gaps. According to the Protoevangelium of James—a 2nd-century apocryphal text—her parents were Joachim and Anne.
Joachim and Anne were devout Jews who, like many biblical figures, faced the heartache of infertility. After years of prayer and longing, God blessed them with a child late in life. Recognizing Mary as a gift from God, they dedicated her to the Lord’s service, raising her in a deeply spiritual environment.
They were, by all accounts, the kind of parents who modeled faith and trust in God—a faith that undoubtedly shaped Mary’s own relationship with Him.
What Might They Have Thought About Mary’s Pregnancy?
Now imagine the scene: Mary, a teenager likely still in her parents’ home, approaches them with earth-shaking news. She’s pregnant. And the father? Well, it’s…God. Cue the long, awkward silence.
The Emotional Whirlwind
Joachim and Anne, as devout and faithful as they were, might have been stunned. How do you process news like that? In their Jewish culture, an unmarried pregnancy was not only shameful but could also lead to severe punishment—even death by stoning (Deuteronomy 22:20–21).
They may have faced the unbearable tension between believing their daughter and fearing the public disgrace that would follow. Were they skeptical at first? Did they pray for confirmation? Perhaps they oscillated between trust and doubt, as any parent might.
Faith in the Face of the Unknown
But let’s not forget who they were. Having experienced their own miraculous blessing—conceiving Mary in their old age—they might have been uniquely prepared to trust God’s hand in her life.
Their situation echoed stories they knew well, like Hannah dedicating her son Samuel to the Lord (1 Samuel 1). Perhaps they recognized that Mary’s extraordinary calling, like Samuel’s, was part of a divine plan far beyond their understanding.
The Silent Years
Curiously, the Bible makes no mention of Joachim and Anne during Mary’s pregnancy or Jesus’ birth. This has led to speculation: Had they already passed away? Or was their absence an intentional narrative choice to spotlight Mary’s personal journey of faith?
Either way, their spiritual influence looms large. Mary’s profound response to the angel’s message—”I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38)—reflects the kind of trust that doesn’t materialize out of nowhere.
Cultural Challenges and Courage
Let’s not underestimate the cultural stakes. Mary’s pregnancy wasn’t just a personal matter; it was a public scandal waiting to erupt. Small, close-knit Jewish communities were deeply concerned with honor and shame, and Joachim and Anne, known for their piety, would have been under enormous pressure to disown their daughter if they didn’t believe her story.
Yet, if they did stand by Mary, imagine the courage that took. By trusting God’s plan over public opinion, they remind us of the hard, faith-driven choices we sometimes face today.
Lessons for Today
- Faith Amid the Unknown: Joachim and Anne’s story reminds us to trust God even when life takes an unexpected turn. Their faith undoubtedly shaped Mary’s ability to embrace her divine calling.
- Standing Firm Against Public Pressure: Their potential support of Mary in the face of cultural judgment encourages us to prioritize God’s will over societal expectations.
- Family Support Matters: Whether through their prayers or presence, the love of family can be an anchor during life’s storms. Mary’s journey shows us the importance of standing by those we love, even when their path looks unconventional.
A Reflection for Us
Imagine Anne sitting Mary down over a cup of tea, raising an eyebrow, and saying, “So, let me get this straight—you’re pregnant, but it’s not Joseph’s, and it’s God’s baby? Well, that’s…different.” It’s hard to picture a parent today hearing such news without some disbelief (and maybe a second cup of tea).
Yet Joachim and Anne’s story challenges us: How do we respond when God disrupts our plans? How do we support others when their journey doesn’t align with what we expected?
Conclusion
Though the Bible doesn’t detail Joachim and Anne’s reaction to Mary’s pregnancy, their lives of faith give us clues. They remind us to trust in God’s unseen hand, even when His plans seem bewildering. Their example inspires us to anchor our lives in faith, courage, and unwavering love for our family.
What about you? How do you imagine Joachim and Anne responded to Mary’s news? Could their faith have given them peace, or do you think they struggled to accept it? Share your thoughts below—we’d love to hear from you!
