The maternal grandparents of Jesus are not named in the canonical Gospels nor in any other extant historical texts. Genealogical information provided in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke focuses primarily on tracing Jesus’ lineage through Joseph, his legal father, to establish his Davidic descent, a crucial element for establishing his Messianic credentials within Jewish tradition. The New Testament remains silent on the identities and lives of Mary’s parents.
While unnamed, the importance of Mary’s parents within the context of Jesus’ life remains significant. They would have been responsible for Mary’s upbringing and education within the Jewish faith, shaping her values and beliefs. These values, in turn, would have profoundly influenced Jesus’ early development. Understanding the social and cultural context of first-century Judaism, in which families played a central role, offers insight into the potential influence of Mary’s family on Jesus’ formative years, even in the absence of specific information about her parents.
