Based on historical context and cultural norms of the time, the Virgin Mary was likely around 15 or 16 years old when she became pregnant with Jesus.
Understanding Mary's Age
Determining Mary's exact age is challenging due to the lack of definitive historical records. However, we can infer her approximate age from several factors:
- Jewish Marriage Customs: In first-century Jewish culture, girls were often betrothed around the age of 12 and married shortly thereafter, often around 14 or 15. Marriage was considered important for continuing the family line.
- Biblical Context: The biblical account doesn't explicitly state Mary's age. However, considering the cultural norms, it's highly probable that she was of marriageable age, which would typically fall between 14 and 16.
- Tradition: Some traditions suggest Mary was around 14 when the angel Gabriel appeared to her. If this is the case, conception and pregnancy would have followed shortly after.
Conclusion
While a precise age isn't documented, the most plausible estimate, given the cultural and historical context, places Mary around 15 or 16 years old when she became pregnant with Jesus.
