Mary remained a ____ until after Jesus' birth.

• A. Virgin
• B. Widow
• C. Mother
• D. Saint

Answer: (A)

Mary is described in Christian tradition as the Virgin Mary, and the phrase here highlights that personal status in relation to Jesus’ birth. The word Virgin conveys that she maintained virginity at the time of Jesus’ birth, reflecting the belief that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that Mary’s unique, holy role centers on her virginity. This makes the term the most precise fit for the blank.

A widow would imply a marital status not indicated in the birth narrative. A mother is true of Mary, but the sentence is aiming to identify her primary identity in this moment, not just her maternal role. A saint is a revered title that comes after, not a description that fills the blank about her relationship to Jesus’ birth.