[3] Lowry would record the song several times himself, most notably with the Gaither Vocal Band on their 1998 Christmas album, Still the Greatest Story Ever Told.
The song encourages contemplation of the relationship between Mary and her son, and it has been lauded by many Christian theologians, although other religious commentators have criticized the lyrics.
was originally released in the key of E♭ minor, with a tempo of 53 beats per minute in 44 meter, based around a chord progression of E♭m–D♭–A♭m7–B♭7sus4–B♭7.
[6] The lyrics evolved from a series of questions that Lowry scripted for a Christmas program at his church: I just tried to put into words the unfathomable.
Instead, the lyrics poetically invite the listener to contemplate the relationship between Mary and her newborn divine son,[7] even if her faith and awareness did not yet include the details of what would unfold.
[8] The text has received both praise for reflecting the love of God, as well as criticism for perceived ambiguity or lack of theological depth.
[7][8][9] On the other hand the Roman Catholic author Karl Erickson implored people to praise Mary, Did You Know?
as a "beautiful expression of God’s love for all of us" and responded to criticism of the piece, stating that "Mary, Did You Know is a song and not a theological essay.
is simply poetry using rhetorical questions and that it is "actually communicating to the singer and hearer the truths about Jesus", including doctrines of salvation, homoousious, and the theotokos.
[4] In 2017, Toronto-based theologian Jennifer Henry wrote new lyrics that address the criticisms and echo Mary's words from the biblical Magnificat.
is the eleventh track on CeeLo Green's Christmas album Cee Lo's Magic Moment.
A remixed version also served as the closing credits song to the 2014 20th Century Fox movie Son of God.
In 2017, Zara Larsson's cover of the song was included in the soundtrack to the film The Star, released on October 27, 2017.