Matthew 27:56 - Printer Friendly

ESV: among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

NIV: Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.

NASB: Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

CSB: Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.

NLT: Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

KJV: Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

NKJV: among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

A small group of women were standing some distance away from the cross when Jesus died. These are women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and had ministered to or served Him during His travels. Though Matthew does not mention it, another person there is the disciple John, apparently the only member of the Twelve present (John 19:25–27).

Matthew reveals who these women are, and we have met them before. They include Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2), Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Matthew 20:20). Some Bible scholars speculate that the mother of James and Joseph is, in fact, Jesus' mother Mary. Zebedee's sons are the disciples James and John. Their mother may be a woman named Salome mentioned in Mark's gospel (Mark 15:40). This would match Matthew's list of the women present with the accounts given by Mark and John.

Matthew 27:45–56 describes the climactic moment when Jesus dies on the cross. Darkness falls over Israel as Jesus hangs near death. Jesus cries out the words of Psalm 22:1, which mean "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some nearby think He is calling for Elijah the prophet to come and save Him. Jesus dies. Immediately, the massive temple curtain is torn in two, top to bottom. Earthquakes open the tombs of some of the saints of Israel, who are later resurrected. A Roman centurion is shocked enough to declare that Jesus was the Son of God. Three women, Jesus' friends, watch from a distance.

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 4/29/2024 12:08:57 AM