Nov 217 min read

Claims of Witnessing Apparitions of the Virgin Mary?

Updated: Nov 22

The Nature of Apparitions and Their Claim to Miraculous Status

Throughout history, numerous individuals have claimed to witness apparitions of the Virgin Mary or other figures associated with Roman Catholicism. These reports often assert that Mary has appeared to believers, delivering messages, performing signs, or encouraging specific devotional practices. Such accounts have sometimes been leveraged as verification of specific doctrines or beliefs, particularly within Roman Catholic tradition. However, the critical question remains: Are these apparitions genuine miracles, and do they hold any apologetic value in establishing truth claims from a biblical perspective?

When analyzing these phenomena through the lens of Christian apologetics grounded in Scripture, the first step is to understand the purpose and nature of miracles in the Bible. Miracles, as defined in Scripture, serve specific purposes: they validate divine messengers (Exodus 4:1-5), confirm God’s power and sovereignty (1 Kings 18:36-39), and establish the authenticity of the message being communicated. Jesus, for example, performed many miracles, including His resurrection, as a divine sign that He was indeed the promised Messiah and the Son of God (John 20:30-31; Acts 2:22-24). These miracles were public, verifiable, and undeniable, leaving no doubt as to their divine origin.

By contrast, the reported apparitions of Mary do not follow this biblical pattern. These apparitions typically involve private, subjective experiences that are unverifiable and open to various interpretations. Furthermore, many such events are associated with doctrines and practices that are not supported by Scripture, such as the veneration of Mary, the use of icons, and communication with the dead, all of which contradict clear biblical teachings (Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

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The Question of Apologetic Value: What Do These Apparitions Prove?

One of the central concerns regarding apparitions of Mary is their supposed connection to establishing doctrinal truth. In the Bible, miracles were often tied directly to the authentication of God’s revelation. For instance, Moses’ miracles in Egypt were given to demonstrate God’s power and to confirm his role as the chosen leader of Israel (Exodus 4:1-9). Similarly, the miracles performed by the apostles in the New Testament served to confirm the message of the gospel (Acts 5:12-16). In each case, the miraculous events were not vague or ambiguous but were clearly linked to specific divine revelations.

In contrast, the apparitions of Mary do not follow this biblical pattern of authentication. They are often disconnected from clear biblical truth claims and are, instead, associated with subjective experiences that require interpretation by the individuals involved. For instance, in many cases, those who report these apparitions claim to receive personal or communal messages from Mary, but there is no accompanying demonstration of divine authority, such as we see in the miracles of Jesus or the apostles. This makes it difficult to regard these events as true miracles according to biblical standards.

Moreover, even leading Roman Catholic authorities have rejected the validity of most claims that Mary has appeared, acknowledging that many of these events lack clear evidence of supernatural origin. This uncertainty further undermines the apologetic value of such apparitions, as the Bible teaches that God is not a God of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). True miracles, as recorded in Scripture, leave no doubt about their divine source, and they are always in harmony with God’s revealed Word.

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Natural Explanations and the Danger of Deception

Many of the apparitions of Mary can be explained through natural or psychological phenomena. Some of these experiences can be attributed to cloud formations, light reflections, or other natural occurrences that are misinterpreted as supernatural appearances. In other instances, these events may be the result of hallucinations, particularly when the individuals involved are in heightened emotional states or are expecting to see something miraculous.

Scripture provides ample warning against relying on subjective experiences or signs that contradict God’s Word. Jesus cautioned His followers not to be deceived by false signs and wonders (Matthew 24:24), and the apostle Paul warned that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Some of the more inexplicable apparitions may indeed have a supernatural origin, but this does not mean they are from God. Demonic deception is a real possibility, especially when these events are associated with false doctrines, such as the veneration of Mary or the use of icons.

It is important to recognize that Satan can use miraculous signs to lead people astray. In Deuteronomy 13:1-3, Moses warns the Israelites not to follow a prophet or dreamer who performs signs or wonders but teaches them to follow other gods. Even if the sign or wonder comes to pass, the Israelites are instructed to reject the false teaching. In the same way, modern Christians must discern the source of any miraculous claims and compare them to the clear teachings of Scripture. If an apparition promotes practices or beliefs that are contrary to biblical truth, such as idolatry or the veneration of Mary, it must be rejected as a false miracle, regardless of the signs associated with it.

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The Association with Idolatrous Practices

One of the most troubling aspects of many Marian apparitions is their connection to idolatrous practices. Often, these apparitions occur in the context of venerating a statue, icon, or other physical representation of Mary. This form of worship is explicitly forbidden in Scripture, as Jehovah commands His people not to make or bow down to any graven images (Exodus 20:4-5). The use of icons, statues, and relics in religious devotion directly contradicts God’s instruction to worship Him alone in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

Moreover, some Marian apparitions involve communication with the dead, which is strictly prohibited in Scripture. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 lists necromancy, or seeking contact with the dead, among the abominable practices that Jehovah condemns. God’s people are to rely solely on His Word and His guidance, not on messages from departed souls or supposed saints. In contrast to this biblical mandate, many Marian apparitions encourage believers to seek guidance from Mary or other saints, which opens the door to spiritual deception.

The Bible makes it clear that all true believers have direct access to God through Jesus Christ, the one mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). There is no need for intermediaries such as Mary or the saints, and any teaching that promotes such practices undermines the sufficiency of Christ’s work on the cross and His ongoing intercession for believers (Hebrews 7:25).

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Conflicting Religious Experiences and the Self-Canceling Nature of Apparitions

Another significant issue with Marian apparitions is that similar supernatural claims are found in other religions. For instance, Buddhists report visions of Buddha, Hindus claim to see appearances of Krishna, and cultists experience unbiblical visions of Christ. These conflicting religious experiences present a major apologetic challenge, as no two opposing truth claims can be simultaneously valid. If Marian apparitions are accepted as divine revelations, how should Christians respond to visions reported by adherents of other religions?

The existence of these conflicting claims indicates that such experiences, whether real or imagined, cannot serve as a reliable foundation for determining religious truth. In fact, they tend to cancel each other out. Since Buddhists, Hindus, Mormons, and other groups claim to receive supernatural revelations that contradict biblical teaching, it becomes clear that personal experiences of this nature cannot be used as a reliable test of truth.

In contrast, the miracles of Jesus stand unique among religious claims. Jesus’ miracles were public, verifiable, and unparalleled in their scope and power (John 10:37-38). He demonstrated His authority over nature (Mark 4:39), disease (Matthew 9:35), demonic forces (Mark 5:1-13), and even death itself (John 11:43-44). Most importantly, His resurrection from the dead is the ultimate confirmation of His divine identity and the truth of His message (Romans 1:4). No other religious figure, including those associated with Marian apparitions, has performed such objectively demonstrable miracles.

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The Lack of Apologetic Value in Marian Apparitions

In light of the biblical evidence and the analysis of the nature of Marian apparitions, it becomes clear that these events do not have apologetic value in establishing biblical truth. While they may be unusual or inexplicable, they lack the defining characteristics of true miracles as described in Scripture. They are often associated with idolatrous practices, false teachings, and subjective experiences that contradict the clear teaching of God’s Word.

Moreover, the existence of similar supernatural claims in other religions further diminishes the credibility of Marian apparitions as evidence of divine truth. Instead, Christians are called to rely on the objective, verifiable revelation of God found in Scripture and the unique, public miracles of Jesus Christ. These are the sure foundation upon which faith must rest (2 Peter 1:19-21).

The Apostle Paul’s warning in Galatians 1:8 is particularly relevant in this context: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” Christians must be vigilant in testing all spiritual experiences against the truth of Scripture, rejecting anything that contradicts the gospel of Christ.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).