A Farewell to the Pondering Mary

Abstract Almost sixty years ago, W.C. van Unnik demonstrated that the participle συµβάλλουσα in Luke 2:19 does not mean “pondering” but Mary was “understanding” heavenly message. The limited reception of his view, especially anglophone literature and translations Bible, stems from misconceptions about lexical definition imperfective aspect , as well a problematic interpretation phrase “to keep matters/words one’s heart.” present study proposes means preserved message revealed knowledge future understood its meaning. This makes better sense within infancy narrative Gospel whole than traditional interpretations sheds new light on Mary’s image function.