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Contents
Ladies at the Crucifixion
The Name - Mary Magdalene
Ladies at the Crucifixion Identified
Ladies Visiting the Tomb Identified
Spices - Already Prepared vs Purchased
Timing - Ladies Going to the Tomb
The Other Mary
The Anointing of Christ
Mother of Joses
Mary of James
Other Verses
Summary
LADIES AT THE CRUCIFIXION
When we look at the verses discussing the ladies present at the
crucifixion of Christ we can identify two groups of ladies.
The text of John mentions ladies standing close to the cross of
Jesus:
John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His
mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the
wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Notice, that there is an 'and' between "His mother" and
"His mother's sister" and also between "Mary of Clopas"
and "Mary Magdalene".
However, there is no 'and' between "His mother's sister"
and "Mary of Clopas".
(Some translations do not accurately mirror this (eg the NIV
which leaves out the first 'and'.)
The absence of the 'and' between 'His mother's sister' and
'Mary of Clopas', suggests Mary of Clopas was the sister of
Christ's mother.
Indicating there were three ladies close to the cross;
- the mother of Jesus
- His mother's sister, Mary wife of Clopas
- Mary Magdalene
Clearly the mother of Jesus and His mother's sister were relatives.
So was the Mary Magdalene, in John 19:25, also a family member?
After all, it would have been appropriate for older family members
to be close to the cross.
A name similar to Clopas is 'Cleopas'.
Greek for Clopas is  . Greek for Cleopas is  .
[NB: Apparently Clopas - is a Greek equivalent of Strong's H256
and it means 'brother (i.e. friend) of
the father'
Cleopas - is a compound of Strong's G2811 and G3962,
and means 'glory of the father'.
These meanings are somewhat reminiscent of:
Matt 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter,
and on this rock I will build My church,
and the gates of Hades shall not prevail
against it.
:19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom
of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth
will be bound in heaven, and whatever you
loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." ]
Cleopas is the name of one of the two followers to whom Christ appeared
after His resurrection.
Luke 24:18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered
and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in
Jerusalem, and have You not known the things
which happened there in these days?"
A subsequent verse appears to confirm that Simon Peter was indeed one
of the two.
Luke 24:34 saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has
appeared to Simon!"
:35 And they told about the things that had
happened on the road, and how He was known
to them in the breaking of bread.
[NB: The reference to 'the eleven' in Luke 24:33
is not necessarily referring to the remaining
11 apostles. Judas Iscariot of course is
missing and likely doubting Thomas (absent
that night) therefore if these two followers
were both apostles, then the 11 would be
composed of 8 apostles and 3 others.]
Apart from the ladies standing near the cross there were ladies who
looked on from afar.
Matt 27:55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee,
ministering to Him, were there looking on from
afar,
:56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother
of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's
sons.
Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on from afar,
among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother
of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome,
:41 who also followed Him and ministered to Him when
He was in Galilee, and many other women who came
up with Him to Jerusalem.
What we are informed about the ladies, both near and far from the
cross:
JOHN 19:25 MATT 27:56 / MARK 15:40
(close to the cross, (far from the cross,
likely related) others travelling
from Galilee)
Mary - mother of Jesus Matt 27:56
Mary - mother's sister - Mary Magdalene
- wife of Clopas - Mary - mother of James and Joses
Mary Magdalene - Mother of Zebedee's sons
Mark 15:40
- Mary Magdalene
- Mary - mother of James the Less
and Joses
- Salome
[NB: Matt 27:56 mentions 'mother of Zebedee's sons' and
Mark 15:40 mentions 'Salome'. So this raises the
question of whether the name of the mother of
Zebedee's sons was Salome.
If this is accepted we have, standing far from the cross,
- Mary mother of the apostle James the Less
(who was the son of Alphaeus) and Joses,
- Salome mother of the key apostles James and John,
- Mary Magdalene (cleansed of seven spirits).
Who is Joses, brother of James the Less?
In Mark 2:14 the apostle Levi, who is seen sitting in
the tax office, is stated as being the son of Alphaeus.
In the list of the apostles - Matt 10:1-4, Mark 3:14-19,
Luke 6:13-16, Acts 1:13 - Levi is another name for Matthew.
(For some reason Mary of James the Less is not associated
with Matthew, but instead with 'Joses'.)
From Acts 4:36 we learn that 'Joses' was an alternate
name for Barnabas. So it seems his mother was this
'Mary mother of James the Less'. ]
THE NAME - MARY MAGDALENE
MAGDALENE - MAGDALA
The term Magdalene, is commonly thought to be suggesting a connection
to Magdala (near the Sea of Galilee);
Matt 15:39 And He sent away the multitude, got into the
boat, and came to the region of Magdala.
According to Strong's Concordance the word 'Magdala' is a word meaning
'the tower' or 'fortress'.
Since we have shown that Scripture is indicating there were two ladies
called 'Mary Magdalene' what we have is a Mary from Magdala and another
Mary who is generally considered to be like a 'tower' or 'fortress'.
MAGDALENE - 'TOWER' / 'FORTRESS'
Scripture provides an elderly candidate who would have been highly
respected.
Matt 8:14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house,
He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a
fever.
:15 And He touched her hand, and the fever left
her. Then she arose and served them.
Here we have advice that Peter's wife had a mother who was healed from
a fever.
We also know that Christ's mother had a sister who was also named 'Mary'.
John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His
mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the
wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
If this 'Clopas' was a reference to Simon Peter and the two sisters
were full sisters then this elderly healed lady would have been
Christ's grandmother!
NB: It is possible there was a significant age gap between the
two sisters. As one was the mother of Jesus and the other
was the wife of Peter.
The elderly healed lady's name is not mentioned, but if her two
daughters were named 'Mary' then it is quite likely she was also
called 'Mary'. Given that this lady was the mother of Peter's wife
and likely the mother of Christ's mother she would have been held
in very high esteem!
The descriptive title 'Magdalene', meaning 'tower' or 'fortress'
would have been truly appropriate.
The Mary Magdalene standing with Christ's mother
and her sister, could indeed have been the grand-
mother of Christ.
LADIES AT THE CRUCIFIXION IDENTIFIED
So assembling all this information we can derive the following.
JOHN 19:25 MATT 27:56 / MARK 15:40
(close to the cross, (far from the cross,
likely related) others travelling
from Galilee)
Mary - mother of Jesus Mary Magdalene (7 demons)
Mary - mother's sister Mary - mother of apostle
- wife of Peter - James the Less
Mary Magdalene Salome - mother of apostles
- grandmother of Jesus - James and John
(Zebedee's sons)
Notice that the ladies standing near the cross are all family members.
All the other ladies are standing far from the cross.
LADIES VISITING THE TOMB IDENTIFIED
Ladies Saying Nothing
The study of the ladies visiting the tomb of Christ raises some
interesting issues.
Mark 16:1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought
spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
:8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb,
for they trembled and were amazed. And they
said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Scripture quite clearly states that these three ladies "said nothing
to anyone".
- Mary Magdalene
- Mary of James
- Salome
This is in sharp contrast to other texts which depict a Mary Magdalene
and others informing the apostles and disciples.
Ladies Telling the Apostles
Matt 28:8 So they [Mary Magdalene and the other Mary] went
out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy,
and ran to bring His disciples word.
Luke 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene [Greek = "the Magdalene Mary"],
Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other
women with them, who told these things to the
apostles.
So these ladies informed others that the tomb was empty and that
angels had told them Christ had risen.
- Mary Magdalene ["Magdalene Mary"]
- Joanna
- Mary of James
- other women
Luke 24:10 indicates the Mary Magdalene being discussed here is the
'Magdalene Mary'. Presumably, the Mary which had come from Magdala.
Considering these two groups of ladies, clearly shows that not only do
we have two ladies named 'Mary Magdalene', but we also have two ladies
identified as 'Mary of James'.
SUMMARY - LADIES VISITING THE TOMB
What we appear to have is the following:
Nothing To Anyone Telling the Apostles
(listed Mark 16:1) (listed Luke 24:10)
Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene ('Magdalene Mary')
- grandmother of Jesus - Was cast seven demons
Mary - of James Joanna
- mother of Jesus
Salome - mother of apostles Mary - of James
James and John - James the Less
other ladies
NB: 1) After the death of Jesus the next oldest son of Mary
was James. Matt 13:55 & Mark 6:3.
2) The Mary Magdalene, out of which he had cast seven
demons, was the Mary Magdalene who spoke to those
who had been with Him. Mark 16:9-11.
SPICES - ALREADY PREPARED VS PURCHASED
It seems that the ladies decided to split into two groups.
One group would leave early and take the previously prepared spices
directly to the tomb.
Luke 23:55 And the women who had come with Him from
Galilee followed after, and they observed
the tomb and how His body was laid.
:56 Then they returned and prepared spices and
fragrant oils. And they rested on the
Sabbath according to the commandment.
24:1 Now on the first day of the week, very early
in the morning, they, and certain other women
with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices
which they had prepared.
The other group would leave later and go to the market to purchase
additional spices.
Mark 16:1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought
spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
So who were the ladies who observed where the tomb was?
Matt 27:55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee,
ministering to Him, were there looking on from
afar,
:56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother
of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's
sons.
We have already concluded that Salome was the mother of Zebedee's
sons.
This is why Salome is mentioned as one of the ladies who accompanied
the other women who would purchase additional spices from the market.
Salome knew where the tomb was located.
Someone had to accompany the other two women, the grandmother and
the mother of Jesus.
As these two women did not know the location of the tomb.
TIMING - LADIES GOING TO THE TOMB
There are also differences in respect to when the two groups of ladies
arrive at the tomb.
A) The ladies bringing the purchased spices arrived late in the morning.
Mark 16:2 Very early in the morning [Greek = "And 'very'/
'exceedingly' morning"], on the first day of the
week, they came to the tomb when the sun had
risen.
These ladies arrived 'at' or 'shortly after' sunrise! (The rendering
of the initial portion of the verse "Very early in the morning" is
misleading. What is being stated is that it was 'fully morning', when
these ladies arrived at the tomb.
The description of their arrival, encounter with an angel who requested
they speak to the disciples and to Peter, and their fear and departure
are recorded in Mark 16:1-8.
We are informed in Mark 16:8 that they 'said nothing to anyone'.
B) The other ladies arrived much earlier.
There is presented a sequence of events.
1) Mary Magdalene departed while it was still dark. Her and the other
Mary arrived as it began to grow light.
John 20:1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene
went to the tomb early, while it was still
dark, and saw that the stone had been
taken away from the tomb.
Matt 28:1 Now after the Sabbath [After the close of the
Sabbaths], as the first day of the week began
to dawn [grow light], Mary Magdalene and the
other Mary came to see the tomb.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary leave to visit the tomb after the
close of the Sabbaths.
In respect to these two women visiting the tomb, there is no
mention of spices. So it seems Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
were tasked with the role of trying to convince some nearby men
to roll away the stone from the tomb.
2) A short while later some other women proceeded to the tomb and
they bring the prepared spices.
Luke 24:1 Now on the first day of the week, very early
in the morning [Greek = 'early deep'], they,
and certain other women with them, came to the
tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
[NB: 'early deep'. The 'early' suggesting
'early morning'.
'deep' meaning 'profound (as going down)'
Hence, 'early morning deepens'.]
They find the tomb empty and two men in shining garments who remind
them of the words of Christ. Luke 24:2-4.
3) The women then proceed to tell the apostles, who do not believe
them. Luke 24:8-11.
The women mentioned are; Mary Magdalene,
Joanna,
Mary of James,
other women.
4) Peter and the other disciple (commonly thought to be John)
visit the empty tomb and then return to their homes. John 20:3-10.
5) Christ appears to two women.
Two women had followed the two apostles and remained at the tomb
after the apostles left. These were Mary Magdalene and the 'other
Mary'.
The text John 20:11-17 is discussing the 'other Mary' which Christ
simply calls 'Mary'.
John 20:18 confirms that Mary Magdalene was also present. The
presence of Mary Magdalene (out of whom He had cast seven demons)
is further confirmed by Mark 16:9.
Matt 28:9-10 confirms that Christ first appeared to more than one
woman. The text is saying 'them', Strong's G846. Form " ".
Matt 28:9 And behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Greetings!"
And having approached, they took hold of His feet
and worshiped Him.
:10 Then Jesus says to them, "Do not fear. Go, tell
My brothers, so that they should go into Galilee,
and there will they see Me." {Berean Literal Bible}
[NB: Many translations of Matthew 28:9 (including the KJV and NKJV)
incorrectly follow some questionable manuscripts which begin
Matt 28:9 with, "as they went to tell the disciples".
This is NOT accurate!
John 20:10-11 clarifies the correct time sequence.]
6) Mary Magdalene departs and tells the other ladies she has seen
Christ. At the time, the other ladies were mourning and weeping.
However, they do not believe. Mark 16:10-11.
Mark 16:10 She went and told those who had been with Him,
as they mourned and wept.
:11 And when they heard that He was alive and had
been seen by her, they did not believe.
She also tells the apostles.
John 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that
she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken
these things to her.
So, in summary, Mary Magdalene, out of which was cast seven demons,
is clearly a significant person in the events which occur during the
first half of the resurrection day.
Alongside of her was a another lady. A lady simply described as the
'other Mary'.
THE OTHER MARY
Who was the 'other Mary'?
At the time of the burial.
Matt 27:61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary,
sitting opposite the tomb.
At the time of the resurrection.
Matt 27:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week
began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
came to see the tomb.
This question is apparently answered in Mark.
Mark 15:47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses,
observed where He was laid.
The women from Galilee observed where his body was laid.
Luke 23:55 And the women who had come with Him from Galilee
followed after, and they observed the tomb and
how His body was laid.
THE ANOINTING OF CHRIST
Scripture initially appears to present three separate times when
Christ was anointed.
Early in 6 Days Before 2 Days Before
His Ministry 14th Passover 14th Passover
Luke 7:36-50 John 12:1-8 Matt 26:6-13
Mark 14:3-9
Woman named - Mary -
Location - Bethany Bethany
House Simon (Martha Simon
a Pharisee serving the leper
supper)
Feet or Head feet feet head
Woman's hair yes yes -
Woman's tears yes - -
Kissed feet - -
Oil named - spikenard spikenard
fragrant fragrant fragrant
Oil flask alabaster - alabaster
Oil valued - 300 denarii 300 denarii
Who complained Pharisees Judas Iscariot disciples (Matt)
some present (Mark)
Purpose forgiveness burial burial
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These previously mentioned verses provide clarity.
John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany,
the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
:2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with
fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair,
whose brother Lazarus was sick.
NOTES: 1) The Mary who anointed the feet of Christ early
in His ministry was Mary sister of Martha.
The indication is that she is the woman who
anointed Him on all occasions.
2) The same type of valuable oil appears to have
been used for each occasion.
3) During the first two scriptural instances His
feet are anointed, while the third instance
mentions the anointing of His head.
4) The house was owned by Simon the leper who was
a Pharisee. This house was located in Bethany,
which was very close to Jerusalem.
5) The second and third occurrences are similar
events.
- The second occasion is mentioned when Christ
arrives in Bethany, before the weekly Sabbath
and before His subsequent entry into Jerusalem
upon the colt of a donkey.
At this time Judas Iscariot complains.
- The third occasion occurred after several
days of His witness in Jerusalem. Occurring
the night prior to His final supper with His
apostles.
Some disciples who are present complain.
6) Some have postulated that the Simon mentioned
in these accounts was the husband of Martha.
(This would provide an explanation for why Martha,
along with her sister and her brother, would be
living in the house of Simon.)
7) Some have also considered that this Simon was
also the father of Judas Iscariot. From YLT.
John 6:71 - "Judas, Simon's son, Iscariot"
John 12:4 - "Judas Iscariot, of Simon"
John 13:2 - "Judas of Simon, Iscariot"
John 13:26 - "Judas of Simon, Iscariot"
MOTHER OF JOSES
In respect to the ladies, the name Joses is mentioned three times,
Matt 27:56, Mark 15:40 & 47.
Matt 27:56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother
of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's
sons.
Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on from afar,
among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother
of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome,
:47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses
observed where He was laid.
From these verses we can see that Joses is a brother of James. Also,
that this James, in Mark 15:40, was also known as "James the Less".
Implying that the Matt 15:40 James was of lesser standing than James
the brother of John.
The listed brothers of Christ include both a James and a Joses.
Matt 13:55 "Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother
called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses (or
Joseph), Simon and Judas?"
Mark 6:3 "Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and
brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And
are not His sisters here with us?" And they were
offended at Him.
So Joses could be a) the younger brother of Christ or b) a previously
unmentioned brother of the apostle James the son of Alphaeus.
If one sets a distinction between the ladies standing near the
cross and those standing further away, then Joses is most likely
a previously unmentioned brother of James the son of Alphaeus.
In Scripture the name Joses is also given to Barnabas.
Acts 4:36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by
the apostles (which is translated Son of
Encouragement), a Levite of the country
of Cyprus,
Barnabas was a cousin of John Mark, who in turn appears to have been
the son of Peter.
1Col 4:10 ... with Mark the cousin of Barnabas ...
1Pet 5:13 ... and so does Mark my son.
MARY OF JAMES
We previously noted that there was a 'Mary of James' which was
one of the three ladies who said "nothing to anyone". And there
was a "Mary of James" who was one of the ladies who testified
about the appearance and message of the angel(s).
There are three people called 'James'.
- James the apostle who was the brother of John.
- James the apostle who was related to Alphaeus.
- James who was the brother of Christ.
We previously noticed that Salome may be the mother of James and
John (comparing Matt 27:56 and Mark 15:40). So this would tend to
suggest the first James is not a possibility.
We now need to consider what other ladies were mentioned alongside
each of these two 'Mary of James' references.
- Mark 16:1, Mary Magdalene, Mary of James and Salome
(who said "nothing to anyone")
- Luke 24:10, the Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary of James
(who testified)
From this Mary mother of Christ appears to be the Mary of James
in Mark 16:1. She is with the Mary Magdalene to which she is likely
related (not the Mary Magdalene to whom Christ first appears). Also
she would have been acquainted with Salome whose sons were in business
with her sister's sons.
At first it may seem strange to call Mary the mother of Christ by
the title Mary of James, but one only has to recall that Christ
has now died and that her next oldest son was named James.
This leaves James the son of Alphaeus as the Mary of James in Luke
24:10. A woman who is mentioned after the other two ladies, ie Mary
Magdalene (to whom Christ appeared) and Joanna.
OTHER VERSES
1) There was a Mary who was the mother of John Mark.
Acts 12:2 Then he [Herod] killed James the brother of
John with the sword.
:12 So, when he had considered this, he came to
the house of Mary, the mother of John whose
surname was Mark, where many were gathered
together praying.
The home of Mary was located in the district of Jerusalem,
where Herod was located.
2) There was a James who was the brother of Jude.
Jude 1:1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and
brother of James, ...
SUMMARY
Correctly assembling the pieces of information related to the ladies
who witness the crucifixion of Christ and who later visit His tomb is
quite difficult.
While some information can be derived it seems that in the end one has
to make some reasonable assumptions.
It is hoped that this commentary may serve as a thought provoking basis
for the further study of this topic.
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