If Mary and Joseph were married, then how was Mary a virgin?

Question

Why didn't Joseph have sex with his wife?

Answer 1

Favorite Answer

Was she?

Answer 2

You don't need to consumate the marriage in order for it to be recognized as a valid marriage by the Catholic Church if both the husband and his wife are in agreement. If society preceives you as being husband and wife you are married. A ground of having an annullment is if the husband or wife wanted to have sexual relations with their spouse but their spouse refused in which they never consumated their marriage.

St. Etheldreda was an English Princess that married a Prince however she informed her husband before she got married that she had already devoted herself to God in which he agreed to not having sexual relations with her unfortunately her husband died three years latter. A King wanted to marry her but again the condition remained the same and he agreed and they were married but over time he grew restless and wanted to have sex with her which resulted in her leaving him. The King went before a Bishop and asked the Bishop to convince her to brake her vow but of course the Bishop gave her sanctuary and hidden her from the King. Latter on the King had the marriage annulled in order to marry someone else.

The Catholic Church recognized St. Etheldreda first marriage but of course not her second because it was annulled. She died a prepetual virgin yet she was once married.

Answer 3

Well, first of all, this is mythic stories we're talking about.

Secondly, it's all very well explained in the Bible.

Learn betrothal vs. marriage.

The rest is clearly stated in the Gospel accounts.

@Bob -- insulting foul comment. No actual contribution. Reported.

Answer 4

Magic! I mean, God!

Or, you can go with the theory that virgin is a mistranslation. That would make much more sense, but it would also make the story much less miraculous.

Answer 5

The original text only said that Mary was a young woman having her first child, never stated she was a virgin. That came later with new translations. Also the Jewish messiah was never said to be conceived immaculately or born of a virgin.

Answer 6

They weren't married when Mary was pregnant. Obviously Mary had sex with someone though.

Answer 7

First you read the story in the bible. That explains it all perfectly, and you only get lies if you ask somebody to tell you what it says.

Answer 8

They were engaged, not married.

Answer 9

This was before Viagra and he had erectile dysfunction

Answer 10

They were engaged

Answer 11

they werent married