Is Mary referred to as the Queen of Heaven?

Definition and Context of the Title “Queen of Heaven”

The designation “Queen of Heaven” appears in the Old Testament in reference to a pagan deity, rather than a reference to Mary (Miriam in Hebrew). In Jeremiah 7:18, the prophet condemns the people of Judah for making offerings to the “Queen of Heaven,” and again in Jeremiah 44:17–19, the same title references a Canaanite or Mesopotamian goddess. These passages indicate that the phrase “Queen of Heaven” was specifically connected to idol worship, which the God of Israel explicitly forbade.

This historical context provides the biblical usage of the phrase. In each instance, it is associated with false religious practices involving the worship of something or someone other than Yahweh. There is no direct Scriptural indication that Mary should be identified by this phrase.

Mary’s Role in the Gospels and Acts

Mary is given special honor in Scripture for her faith, her role as the mother of Jesus, and her humble submission to God’s will (Luke 1:38). However, the Gospels and Acts focus primarily on Mary’s support of Jesus’ earthly ministry rather than on any special title of divinity or exaltation.

• Luke 1:42–43: Elizabeth calls Mary “blessed” among women and refers to her as “the mother of my Lord.” The emphasis here is on Jesus’ lordship, not on Mary’s position over others.

• John 19:26–27: Jesus entrusts His mother into the care of the Apostle John, highlighting His compassion and concern for her. There is no hint of Mary’s enthronement or being addressed as “Queen of Heaven.”

• Acts 1:14: Mary is found among the disciples who “joined together constantly in prayer.” She is treated as a respected member of Jesus’ followers but not as one worshiped or given any perpetual royal title.

Historical Use of the Term “Queen of Heaven” in Church Tradition

Over centuries, some Christian traditions have used the phrase “Queen of Heaven” in devotion to Mary, often with the intention of honoring her special role. While it is accurate to say that various church councils (e.g., the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD) clarified Mary’s status as Theotokos (Greek for “God-bearer” or “Mother of God”), these titles did not originate to confer upon Mary the status of a deity or to equate her with an idol. Rather, they aimed to affirm the full deity of Christ.

Yet, from a biblical standpoint, the phrase “Queen of Heaven” is never used for Mary. Instead, Scripture repeatedly points to God alone as the sovereign King: “For the LORD Most High is awesome—the great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:2). No biblical author, under divine inspiration, ever applies a queenly title to Mary. The use of the phrase among certain traditions developed later, largely as a post-biblical devotional expression.

Examination of Jeremiah’s Condemnation

In the Old Testament passages where “Queen of Heaven” is denounced:

• Jeremiah 7:17–18: “Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger.”

• Jeremiah 44:17–19: The people openly declare their intent to worship the “Queen of Heaven,” crediting her for prosperity and good fortune.

These references consistently connect the “Queen of Heaven” with idolatry. Because Scripture condemns such worship, using the same phrase for Mary would be at odds with the Bible’s teaching of worship being due to God alone. Indeed, the New Testament exhorts believers to give glory solely to Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9–11), who is God the Son, not to any created being.

Mary’s Exemplary Faith and Humility

Luke 1:48 records Mary’s acknowledgment that “from now on all generations will call me blessed.” This is an affirmation of God’s favor upon her. Yet, Mary’s own perspective about herself remains one of humility. She magnifies the Lord, testifying that He has done “great things for me—holy is His name” (Luke 1:49). At no point does Mary claim heavenly royalty for herself.

Furthermore, in Luke 11:27–28, a woman in the crowd exclaims how blessed Jesus’ mother must be for bearing and nursing Him. Jesus replies, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” While this response does not diminish Mary’s honored role, it clarifies that true blessedness is centered on obedience to God’s Word, not on any special entitlements.

Revelation 12 and the Symbolic Woman

Some interpret the crowned woman of Revelation 12 as Mary. This passage describes a woman with a crown of twelve stars, giving birth to a male child who will rule all nations. However, a conservative contextual analysis often sees this figure as symbolizing the faithful people of God—first Israel (the one through whom the Messiah came) and also thematically linked to the Church—rather than specifically labeling Mary with the “Queen of Heaven” title.

Even if one sees echoes of Mary in that imagery, the passage itself never applies the term “Queen of Heaven” to her. Instead, the symbolism is rich with Old Testament references (e.g., Genesis 37:9–10) to the twelve tribes of Israel. In any case, the text stops short of conferring any venerative title like “Queen of Heaven.”

Theological Considerations and Conclusion

Scripture upholds God as the sovereign King, seated in majesty (Psalm 29:10). Any “queenly” designation must emerge from the text itself if it were to be embraced. Since no divinely inspired author refers to Mary as the “Queen of Heaven,” and given that the historical usage of the phrase originally denoted idol worship, the title is not biblically applied to her.

Mary is held in high honor for being the mother of Jesus, for her faithfulness, and for her model of obedient trust. She was present at the cross and witnessed the beginnings of the early Church. Nevertheless, the only rightful “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16) is Jesus Christ, and worship must be directed to the triune God alone.

In sum, there is no biblical evidence that Mary is ever referred to as the “Queen of Heaven.” While certain traditions use the phrase to venerate Mary, those practices are not anchored in explicit scriptural usage. Instead, the Bible presents Mary as a faithful servant chosen for a unique role, one worthy of respect but not worship or a queenly crown.