12/18/2025
So true...
Did Mary feel pain during the birth of Christ?
I believe that she did, just as any other mother would feel the pain of contractions and delivery. Additionally, I believe that her pain was overshadowed by the joy of bringing Jesus into the world.
A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. (John 16:21-22)
So even Jesus teaches that it is entirely expected and natural for a mother to experience pain during childbirth, but that this always precedes a time of great joy.
After the fall, God cursed Eve (and all women) with pain for childbirth in Genesis 3:16.
In Luke 1:47, Mary calls Jesus "my Savior" and recognizes that she needs His salvation just like anyone else. Mary is not without sin, nor exempt from the good news of the gospel. She longed for a Savior and rejoiced at His arrival.
Jesus became incarnate, and took on flesh and blood just as all children do. (See Hebrews 2:14). He really was in a real womb, experienced real gestation, and exited through a real birth canal.
Luke 2:7 tells us that "...the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son..." in a seemingly straightforward typical childbirth scenario. It is implied that it was a natural painful (but beautiful) experience.
In fact, Mary would experience several real seasons of pain and suffering throughout her life. Including almost being divorced by Joseph (Matthew 1:19, being poor (Luke 2:24), fleeing danger to Egypt (Matthew 2), losing her Son in the temple for days (Luke 2:48), and witnessing her Son's torture and ex*****on. (John 19:25).
But the wonderful thing about all of these sufferings, is that God redeems what is painful and turns it into joy. And I firmly believe that the birth of Christ is just another example of that redemption we see throughout all of Scripture.
Finally, I think it is certainly reasonable to assume that while Mary did feel pain during childbirth, she did not do this apart from God's strength and comfort. He doesn't take away the pain, but He will deliver you through it!
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19)
