Mark 15:40 - Printer Friendly

ESV: There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.

NIV: Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome.

NASB: Now there were also some women watching from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome.

CSB: There were also women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.

NLT: Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph ), and Salome.

KJV: 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;

NKJV: 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,

Earlier, the women stood before the cross with John and Jesus' mother (John 19:25–27). John mentions Mary Magdalene, Jesus' mother, His mother's sister, and the wife of Clopas—mother of James the younger and Joses. When Jesus sees His mother with John, Jesus charges John with making sure Mary is cared for. Judas is dead (Matthew 27:3–10) and the rest of the Twelve are scattered. There is no mention that Jesus' brothers are anywhere near (Mark 3:20–21; John 7:5). As Jesus is the oldest son and Joseph is apparently deceased, He is responsible for Mary. John is there, he is fiercely faithful to Jesus, and he will live longer than any of the other disciples. John takes Jesus' charge willingly, "and from that hour the disciple took her to his own home" (John 19:27).

Jesus' mother is not mentioned here, as Jesus dies, and neither is it claimed that John is present. It's possible John has already taken Mary and her sister away so they do not have to witness the cruel end.

Still, many women stand vigil. Salome is John's own mother (Matthew 27:56). Mary Magdalene has followed Jesus for years, ever since Jesus cast seven demons from her (Luke 8:2). Mary, the mother of James and Joses, is identified as the wife of Clopas who is also known as Alphaeus (John 19:25; Luke 6:15).

Mary Magdalene and Mary the wife of Clopas will follow Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus to see where Jesus is buried (Mark 15:47; John 19:39). These two Marys, Salome, and Joanna will return after the Sabbath to prepare Jesus' body for burial (Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10).

Jesus does not charge women to be apostles or pastors, but their role in His ministry is profound. The prophetess Anna is one of the first people to recognize He is the Messiah (Luke 2:36–38). Women brave male disapproval by anointing Jesus with expensive ointment and their own tears (Luke 7:37–39; John 12:1–8; Mark 14:3–9). Women provide for Him throughout His ministry (Luke 8:1–3). Women had a unique role in Jesus' ministry, and today they have a unique role in the church. We need to be mindful that this role should be biblical and not determined by the culture of the world or the culture of religion.

Mark 15:33–41 is a raw and stark account of Jesus' death. Jesus feels separated from God and abandoned by His friends. The land is covered by darkness. The earth shakes and the tombs open (Matthew 27:52–53). Only too late does the centurion get a glimpse of what he and his men have done. Even the women who supported Jesus during His ministry have moved farther away. But when Jesus breaths His last, the temple veil tears, marking the possibility of our reconciliation with God. Jesus' death is also recorded in Matthew 27:45–56, Luke 23:44–49, and John 19:28–37.

After sham trials, Jesus is taken to the local Roman governor, Pilate. This is the only person in Jerusalem with the legal authority to have Jesus executed. Pilate is not fooled, and he attempts to arrange for Jesus' release. But the ruler's ploys fail, in part because Jesus will not defend Himself, and partly because the mob is intent on His death. Pilate offers a prisoner exchange in Barabbas, and even has Jesus brutally beaten in order to pacify the crowd. Eventually, he caves in and Jesus is crucified. Thanks to His prior abuse, Jesus survives only a few hours on the cross before dying. Jesus is then buried in a tomb belonging to a secret follower among the Jerusalem council.

After being unfairly judged, Jesus will now be unfairly sentenced and cruelly murdered. It's reasonable to say this chapter provides context for everything else contained in the Bible. From Adam and Eve until the last baby born in the millennial kingdom, every person other than Christ is stained with sin. Conscience, law, Jesus' direct leadership, even the indwelling of the Holy Spirit cannot keep us from sinning. Sinless Jesus had to die on the cross, sacrificing Himself in our place, so our sins could be forgiven and we could be reconciled to God. Beneath the violence, darkness, dishonor, and death is the love of God for all mankind (John 3:16). Jesus' crucifixion is also found in Matthew 27, Luke 23, and John 19. The next chapter describes the miracle of His resurrection.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.