mary

Does the Bible teach that Mary stayed a virgin? Do the research for yourself. The Bible says in various places that Mary had other children. It’s not a sin for a married woman to have sex with her husband. It’s bizarre if she NEVER has sex with her husband. The perpetual virginity teachings aren’t in the Bible, they developed roughly 100 years after Mary died. None of the Apostles taught the perpetual virginity doctrine.

The first written instances of the doctrine of Mary's perpetual virginity appear in the late 2nd-century text the Protoevangelium of James and the writings of early church figures like Clement of Alexandria. By the 4th century, key theologians such as Jerome and Augustine began to codify and strongly support the belief, though debates continued for several generations. 

Protoevangelium of James (late 2nd century): This apocryphal text is the earliest known source to suggest that Mary was dedicated to a life of perpetual virginity, which then required her to be married to Joseph, an elderly widower, as a guardian to protect her.

Clement of Alexandria (late 2nd/early 3rd century): His writings are sometimes cited as early support for the perpetual virginity doctrine.

Origen (3rd century): Origen is noted for suggesting that Mary's virginity was a "first-fruit of virginity" and that she remained a virgin during the birth of Jesus, citing the Protoevangelium of James as a source.

Augustine (4th/5th century): Augustine powerfully articulated the doctrine, stating that Mary was a "Virgin conceiving, a Virgin bearing, a Virgin pregnant, a Virgin bringing forth, a Virgin perpetual".

Jerome (4th/5th century): Jerome was another influential early church father who supported and promoted the doctrine.

Second Council of Constantinople (553 AD): The council officially gave Mary the title "Aeiparthenos," or Perpetual Virgin, in 553 AD.