To answer this question, let’s start by asking, who is Jehovah God and Jesus Christ?
John 1:1,14, “In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word (Logos) was with God…And the Word (Logos) became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” These texts teach that Jesus had a pre-human existence and began his life when he was begotten of God. It establishes the relationship between the Father and Son: God gives life and Jesus receives life from Him. (See also Proverbs 8:22-31.)
John 3:16 emphasizes Jesus’ begettal again at his baptism, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” Jesus was God’s only begotten child. All the rest of creation was of the Father (God was the architect) and by the son (the Logos was the master workman). 1 Corinthians 8:6, “…one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” 1 Corinthians 8:6.
What is the relationship between Jehovah, Jesus, and Mary?
The angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive a son, God’s son, and God would give Jesus the throne of David. Luke 1:31-32 (NKJV), “…you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son and shall call His name Jesus…will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give him the throne of His father David.” Galatians 4:4 again states: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent His son, born of a woman…” Mary was Jesus’ mother, not God’s mother.
John 17:20-21 demonstrates the relationship between Jesus, God and his followers. Jesus prayed, “…for those who will believe in me…that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us…” It was a oneness of purpose and love. True Christians begotten with the Holy Spirit also share this same oneness with Jesus and God.
The distinction between God and Jesus is very important. God cannot die. Revelation 4:8, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” God is “from everlasting to everlasting…” 1 Chronicles 16:36.
Whereas Jesus “died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3.) He became a mortal man to ransom the human race from death. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all.”
Jesus was raised with immortality on the third day by God’s mighty power. Ephesians 1:19-20, “…the working of his mighty power, which he (God) wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places…” And 2 Timothy 1:10, “Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel…”
In summary, Mary was NOT the mother of God. She was the mother of God’s son, Jesus.
Additional Resources about the lineage of Jesus:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1312: “How Do We Know Jesus Is the Promised Messiah? (Part I)”
Jewish skepticism and key Old Testament identifiers of the Messiah
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
Episode #1123 “Can Our Sins Ever Produce Blessings?”
Defining what brings us God’s favor and what does not
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
Download PDF: “Jesus: The World’s Savior”
For children, parents and Bible class teachers:
Animated Video: “Why did God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus?”
