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;
Parallel translations
- WEB There were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
- BSB And 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.
- 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,
- 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.
- NLT Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Faithful women watch the crucifixion from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and Salome. Their presence makes them key witnesses.
Overview
When most of the male disciples had fled, these women remain near, watching the death of their Lord. Mark names them carefully because they will also witness the burial and the empty tomb, anchoring the resurrection account in eyewitness testimony. Their steadfast devotion models faithful discipleship in the darkest hour.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Matt 27:55–56And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
- Luke 8:2–3And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
- Luke 23:49And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
- Mark 16:9Now 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.
- Matt 28:1In 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.
- Matt 27:61And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
- Mark 15:47And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
- Matt 13:55Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
- 1 Cor 9:5Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
- John 19:25–27Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
- Ps 38:11My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
- Jas 1:1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
- John 20:11–18But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
- Gal 1:19But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 15:40 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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