text: It is still a stretch, Michael Bindner. Most prophets of the Bible were married, but John the Baptist was not. Yet Jesus said John was the greatest of all prophets. He was unique. He  needed the cravings of silence more, fasting, prayer, etc., owing to his mission, his calling, with too many dark holes to it. And yes, Rabbis were married, but they did not walk on water in front of their wives, leave their wives for 40 days and nights in the desert (rendering Him ineffective to her needs during that time), raise people from the dead; nor were they born of a virgin like some fundamental project of salvation or pinned under the wings of a dove at their baptisms.  I am sure Mary secured a place in the eyes of Jesus, but not a commanding seat with Him, never mind bed, as if over the Twelve Tribes. Like St. John, Jesus was too unique, especially with the tension of distance and intimacy between himself and his Father running a double risk, as it were. Would have been unfair to any woman.