Assessment of Religious Knowledge (ARK) Practice Exam 2026 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Mastery

In Christianity, the model of a chaste life is often epitomized by Mary, the mother of Jesus. She is revered for her purity, humility, and obedience to God's will, particularly in the context of the Annunciation, where she accepts her role as the Mother of God while remaining a virgin. This aspect of her life serves as an ideal of chastity, making her a central figure in discussions about purity and virtue in Christian theology.

While Jesus embodies a life without sin and holds the highest moral standard in Christianity, he is not typically referred to specifically as a model of chastity in the same way that Mary is. Similarly, John the Baptist, renowned for his ascetic lifestyle, and St. Paul, known for his teachings on sexuality and marriage, do not carry the same symbolic weight regarding chastity as Mary does in the tradition. Mary’s unique position allows her to be celebrated as the ultimate exemplar of a chaste life, culminating in her role within the Christian faith.