What age difference is acceptable?

[Joy]

People in Biblical days married at 13 & 14."

Source for this?

[Chris]

People in Biblical days married at 13 & 14."

Source for this?

This is simply googled because it's fairly unanimously believed this way as was conveyed through church tradition.
But here is just one simple link of thousands https://christianityfaq.com/how-old-was ... -to-jesus/

[JimFoxvog]

Most Biblical scholars say Mary was 14 or 15 when she was with child with the Lord Jesus Christ.

So yeah God, the creator of all found maturity in her at that age. Perhaps it's not age, it's the maturity and something we are doing wrong today that represses maturity.

As the Bible does not say her age, I don't think this is something that makes a very strong argument.

For example, scholars say fishermen and farmers worked unclothed in Jesus' day, but that doesn't make a strong argument that we should.

[Szdfan]

Most Biblical scholars say Mary was 14 or 15 when she was with child with the Lord Jesus Christ.

So yeah God, the creator of all found maturity in her at that age. Perhaps it's not age, it's the maturity and something we are doing wrong today that represses maturity.

As the Bible does not say her age, I don't think this is something that makes a very strong argument.

For example, scholars say fishermen and farmers worked unclothed in Jesus' day, but that doesn't make a strong argument that we should.

We don't know how old Mary was, though it was common for a younger girl to marry an older man as it still happens in traditional Middle Eastern cultures. However, due to the high mortality rate during the 1st Century, it's also believed that life expectancy was around 35 years. That doesn't mean everyone died at 35 -- some Roman graveyard epitaphs show that at least the wealthy lived into their 60s and 70s. But it is also believed that 1/3 of Roman children died before age of ten.

The first century world was a very different world than we have today. I think that in our context, fourteen and fifteen-year-olds getting married is probably a mistake. There's nothing in Scripture that prescribes a certain age when people should marry -- in fact, Paul encourages people to stay single unless they couldn't control themselves.

[Chris]

Most Biblical scholars say Mary was 14 or 15 when she was with child with the Lord Jesus Christ.

So yeah God, the creator of all found maturity in her at that age. Perhaps it's not age, it's the maturity and something we are doing wrong today that represses maturity.

As the Bible does not say her age, I don't think this is something that makes a very strong argument.

For example, scholars say fishermen and farmers worked unclothed in Jesus' day, but that doesn't make a strong argument that we should.

But those who voted the books into the Bible itself believed she was a younger teenager.

[Chris]

Most Biblical scholars say Mary was 14 or 15 when she was with child with the Lord Jesus Christ.

So yeah God, the creator of all found maturity in her at that age. Perhaps it's not age, it's the maturity and something we are doing wrong today that represses maturity.

As the Bible does not say her age, I don't think this is something that makes a very strong argument.

For example, scholars say fishermen and farmers worked unclothed in Jesus' day, but that doesn't make a strong argument that we should.

We don't know how old Mary was, though it was common for a younger girl to marry an older man as it still happens in traditional Middle Eastern cultures. However, due to the high mortality rate during the 1st Century, it's also believed that life expectancy was around 35 years. That doesn't mean everyone died at 35 -- some Roman graveyard epitaphs show that at least the wealthy lived into their 60s and 70s. But it is also believed that 1/3 of Roman children died before age of ten.

The first century world was a very different world than we have today. I think that in our context, fourteen and fifteen-year-olds getting married is probably a mistake. There's nothing in Scripture that prescribes a certain age when people should marry -- in fact, Paul encourages people to stay single unless they couldn't control themselves.

Despite anything, the general consensus of just about every scholar imaginable out there for centuries, historical opinion, ancient church theologians, and modern historians generally agree that Mary was a young teenager.

It's our modern "thinking" that distorts reality that young teenagers are not fit to be mothers. The goal posts keep shifting too. Many in "the world" would argue 18 is too young now, and people should wait until their late 20's and 30's to start having children.

We have to face the fact that most likely according to almost every historical source out there (please reference them in books & online) will state Mary was a younger teenager.

[Joy]

I must say, Mary's speech in Luke 1 doesn't sound like a young teenager. It sounds more like someone who has had time to live and observe life and principles firsthand.

[Josh]

I must say, Mary's speech in Luke 1 doesn't sound like a young teenager. It sounds more like someone who has had time to live and observe life and principles firsthand.

Perhaps we don’t think highly enough and expect enough of young teenagers.

In Jewish society, a 12 year old was considered fully an adult with the rights and responsibilities thereof.

[silentreader]

I must say, Mary's speech in Luke 1 doesn't sound like a young teenager. It sounds more like someone who has had time to live and observe life and principles firsthand.

Perhaps a teenage girl would sound different after being face-to-face with Gabriel?

[Joy]

I must say, Mary's speech in Luke 1 doesn't sound like a young teenager. It sounds more like someone who has had time to live and observe life and principles firsthand.

Perhaps a teenage girl would sound different after being face-to-face with Gabriel?

No, not necessarily.