There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
women.
Psalm 38:11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
Matthew 27:55,56 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: …
Luke 23:49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
Mary Magdalene.
Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
Matthew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Luke 8:2,3 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, …
Mary the.
Mark 15:47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Salome.
Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
Among them were Mary Magdalene,
Mary Magdalene is a prominent figure in the Gospels, known for her deliverance from seven demons by Jesus (Luke 8:2). Her presence at the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection underscores her significant role in Jesus' ministry. Her loyalty and dedication are evident as she is one of the first to witness the resurrected Christ (John 20:11-18). Her inclusion here highlights the transformative power of Jesus' ministry and the important role women played in the early church.
Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses,
This Mary is often identified as Mary, the wife of Clopas (John 19:25), and possibly the sister-in-law of Mary, the mother of Jesus. James the younger, also known as James the Less, was one of the twelve apostles (Mark 3:18). The mention of her sons connects her to the early Christian community and highlights the familial ties within the group of Jesus' followers. Her presence at the crucifixion indicates her steadfast faith and support for Jesus' ministry.
and Salome.
Salome is traditionally understood to be the mother of the sons of Zebedee, James and John (Matthew 27:56). Her presence at the crucifixion, along with her sons' close association with Jesus, suggests her active involvement in His ministry. Salome's request for her sons to sit at Jesus' right and left in His kingdom (Mark 10:35-37) shows her belief in Jesus' messianic role, despite her misunderstanding of His mission. Her presence here reflects her continued support and faithfulness to Jesus, even in His suffering.
- “And there were also women watching from a distance” (Mark 15:40). Although most male disciples had fled (Mark 14:50), these faithful women remained.
- Their stance “from a distance” fulfilled Psalm 38:11, “My friends and companions stand aloof because of my plague; my neighbors stand afar off,” foreshadowing Messiah’s abandonment.
- Luke 23:49 notes that “all who knew Him, including the women… stood at a distance, watching these things,” confirming the literal scene.
- Their presence demonstrates courage, devotion, and God-ordained eyewitness testimony, preparing them to become first heralds of the resurrection (Mark 16:1–6).
- Named first, Mary Magdalene appears in all four Gospel passion narratives (Matthew 27:56; Luke 23:49; John 19:25).
- Mark 16:9 reports that Jesus later appeared “first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons,” underscoring grace that transforms a life into bold witness.
- Her steadfastness contrasts the scattered disciples, reminding believers that past bondage never disqualifies present faithfulness (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17).
- This Mary is likely the wife of Clopas (John 19:25) and mother of “James the younger,” distinguishing him from James the son of Zebedee.
- Mark 15:41 states these women had “followed Jesus and ministered to Him in Galilee.” Their long-term service verifies the authenticity of their testimony.
- The mention of her sons roots the account in real families and real history, reinforcing Luke 1:1–4’s emphasis on “certainty” regarding the events recorded.
- Salome is identified by Matthew 27:56 as “the mother of Zebedee’s sons,” making her mother to James and John.
- She once sought places of honor for her sons (Matthew 20:20–23); now she humbly stands near the cross, illustrating growth in discipleship.
- Along with Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, Salome brought spices to the tomb (Mark 16:1), exhibiting ongoing devotion even when hope seemed lost.
Mark 15:40 highlights the faithful presence of women at the crucifixion—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and Salome—who, though watching “from a distance,” remained closer in courage and loyalty than most. Their eyewitness testimony anchors the historical reliability of the Gospel accounts, shows God’s honor toward those society often overlooks, and calls believers to steadfast devotion whatever the cost.
(40) Among whom was Mary Magdalene.--The list is the same as that in Matthew 27:56, with the exceptions (1) of the epithet "less," or better, little, as applied to James, and (2) the name of Salome instead of "the mother of Zebedee's children."Verse 40. - And there were also women holding from afar (ἀπὸ μακρόθεν θεωροῦσαι). St. Matthew (Matthew 27:55) says that there were many. Amongst them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the wife of Clopas, or Alphaeus, and mother of James the less and of Joses, called brethren of our Lord, and the mother of Zebedee's children, that is, Salerno. The mother of our Lord had been there until the time when, having with St. John crept as near the cross of Jesus as she might venture, she was consigned by our Lord to St. John's care, and taken away by him. St. Mark mentions this to show the faith and love of these holy women, because in the very presence of the enemies of Christ they dared to stand by his cross, and shrank not from testifying their piety and devotion. St. John says that they stood near. He must have known; for at one time at least he was standing near. St. Matthew and St. Mark speak of them as at a distance. They were at a distance, no doubt, for the most part, as compared with the soldiers, whose duty it was to be in close attendance and to keep the people off. But these devoted women came as near as they could, so as to see and hear their Lord. Perhaps they were sometimes further off and sometimes nearer, as they saw opportunity, or as the humor of the officials suffered them.