Mark 15:40 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;
Mark 15:40 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,
Mark 15:40 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.
Mark 15:40 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.
Mark 15:40 nlt
Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph ), and Salome.
Mark 15 40 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 27:55-56 | Many women were there, looking on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered to him, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. | Parallel account listing similar women present. |
| Luke 23:49 | And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance, watching these things. | Broader group confirming observation from a distance. |
| John 19:25 | By the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. | Lists some women near the cross, including Mary Magdalene. |
| Mark 16:1 | When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. | The same women are primary witnesses to the empty tomb and resurrection. |
| Matt 28:1 | Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn... Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. | Confirms these women as key witnesses to the resurrection. |
| Luke 24:10 | Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. | Women are the first to declare the resurrection news to the disciples. |
| Luke 8:1-3 | and also some women who had been healed... Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out... and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. | Establishes the historical practice of women ministering to Jesus financially. |
| Mark 15:41 | when he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. | Directly connects these specific women to a long history of following and serving Jesus. |
| Mark 14:50 | And they all left him and fled. | Direct contrast: male disciples flee, women remain present. |
| John 20:18 | Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"... | Mary Magdalene is the first to evangelize the resurrection. |
| Ps 22:16-17 | For dogs encompass me... I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me... | Prophetic imagery of onlookers witnessing intense suffering. |
| Zech 12:10 | And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn... | Prophecy of looking upon the pierced Messiah. |
| Ps 38:11 | My friends and companions stand aloof from my affliction, and my kinsmen stand afar off. | Echoes the theme of abandonment, yet with some faithful "standing afar." |
| Heb 12:1-2 | Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight... looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith... | These women become part of the great "cloud of witnesses" to Christ's sacrifice. |
| 1 Cor 15:3-5 | that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. | Underlines the importance of verified witnesses to death and resurrection, initiated by these women. |
| Luke 7:36-50 | Jesus and the sinful woman anointing His feet. | Exemplifies a woman's public devotion to Jesus despite social stigma. |
| Rom 16:1-2 | I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church... she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. | Illustrates the continued role of women as vital patrons and servants in the early Church, consistent with those ministering to Jesus. |
| Phil 4:2-3 | I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord... these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel... | Highlights women as co-laborers in the Gospel, reflecting the spirit of Mark 15:40's women. |
| Judg 4:4-5 | Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time... | Shows examples of faithful and significant women leaders in God's plan throughout biblical history. |
| 1 Sam 1:10-11 | She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly... | Example of a woman of profound faith and fervent prayer in Old Testament. |
| Ezra 2:67 | Their male and female servants were 7,337, and they had 200 male and female singers. | Reminds of faithful women involved in various roles even in the post-exilic community. |
| Esther 4:16 | "Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf... I and my young women will also fast as you do." | Shows a woman demonstrating leadership and devotion for her people. |
Mark 15 verses
Mark 15 40 Meaning
Mark 15:40 records the presence of three specific women at the crucifixion of Jesus, observing from a distance: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. This verse highlights the enduring faithfulness of these women, contrasting with the abandonment by the male disciples, and establishes them as crucial witnesses to Christ's death. Their continued presence underscores their profound devotion to Jesus even in His moment of greatest suffering and humiliation.
Mark 15 40 Context
Mark 15 describes the Passion of Jesus, from His condemnation by Pilate to His crucifixion, death, and burial. The immediate preceding verse (Mk 15:39) recounts the Roman centurion's confession, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" after Jesus' final cry and death. Verse 40 then shifts the perspective to those observing Jesus' final moments from a distance, specifically highlighting the women. This stands in stark contrast to the earlier narrative where His male disciples had all abandoned and fled (Mk 14:50), and Peter had denied Him three times (Mk 14:66-72). Historically, Roman crucifixions were public spectacles meant to deter rebellion, with family and supporters often watching from a discreet distance. The specific naming of these women validates their presence as crucial, consistent eyewitnesses to both the death and the subsequent resurrection, making them integral to the historical narrative of Christianity.
Mark 15 40 Word analysis
- There were also women: This phrase indicates that the presence of these women was notable and significant, alongside others (like the centurion) witnessing the crucifixion. Their inclusion underscores a faithful counter-narrative to the failure of the male disciples.
- looking on (θεωροῦσαι, theōrousai): This Greek verb implies more than just casually seeing. It suggests observing with deep contemplation, carefully watching, or being spectators to a spectacle. It reflects their profound attentiveness to Jesus' suffering and death, not merely glancing but truly witnessing the event unfold.
- from afar (ἀπὸ μακρόθεν, apo makrothen): This phrase indicates physical distance. Reasons could include the large crowd, the Roman guard, the inherent danger of being associated with a crucified rebel, and perhaps social conventions regarding women at such horrific public executions. Despite the distance, their resolute presence and "looking on" highlights their unwavering faithfulness amidst peril.
- Mary Magdalene (Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνή, Maria hē Magdalēnē): She is consistently listed first among the women, signifying her prominence. She was one from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons (Lk 8:2) and a deeply devoted follower who supported His ministry. Her presence is crucial as she becomes the first witness to the resurrected Christ (John 20:18).
- Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses: This identifies another specific Mary, likely to differentiate her from others. "Mother of" identifies her by her sons, a common practice in ancient Jewish society. "James the younger" (τοῦ μικροῦ, tou mikrou, literally "the small" or "the younger") typically refers to James the Less or James, son of Alphaeus, distinct from James son of Zebedee. Joses (or Joseph in Matt 27:56) is another son. This precision aids historical accuracy and context within early Christian communities.
- and Salome (Σαλώμη, Salōmē): The third named woman. Many scholars identify her as the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee (cf. Matt 27:56). Her presence at the cross, after her sons' ambition was addressed by Jesus (Mk 10:35-45), further emphasizes the deep and abiding devotion within this specific family circle despite past misunderstandings or the male disciples' flight.
Mark 15 40 Bonus section
The consistent listing of these specific women across the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), particularly Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary," indicates their significant and acknowledged role in the early Christian movement. Their steadfastness provides a profound theological lesson: that true discipleship often manifests not in prominent leadership, but in quiet, unwavering devotion and presence, especially during times of adversity. The distinct ways these women are identified (by origin like Magdala, or by family relation like "mother of James and Joses") speaks to their concrete existence and importance as historical figures in the Gospel accounts.
Mark 15 40 Commentary
Mark 15:40 serves as a pivotal statement regarding fidelity amidst desolation. In stark contrast to the male disciples who "all left him and fled," these women remained. Their "looking on from afar" reveals their deep devotion and courageous steadfastness even in the face of immense suffering and danger. Their faithfulness would subsequently position them as the primary witnesses to the empty tomb and the first proclaimers of the resurrection, thus underscoring the vital role women played in the foundational events of Christianity. The listing of specific names validates their historical presence and grants credibility to the narrative of Jesus' passion and resurrection, demonstrating that even at the point of greatest human failure and despair, God sustained a remnant of faithful witnesses.