“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;”
My Notes
What Does Mark 15:40 Mean?
"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." While the male disciples have fled, the women remain. Mark names three of them specifically — Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and Salome — watching from a distance as Jesus dies. They're the faithful remnant at the cross, the witnesses who stayed when everyone else left.
The phrase "looking on afar off" suggests they couldn't get close — Roman execution sites were guarded — but they got as close as they could. Their presence is both grief and courage. In a culture where association with a condemned criminal carried real risk, these women chose proximity to Jesus over personal safety. Mark specifically notes they had followed and served him in Galilee, establishing them as long-term disciples, not spectators.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Why do you think the women stayed when the male disciples fled?
- 2.Have you ever been the one who stayed when others left — and what kept you there?
- 3.How does it change your view of faithfulness to see that the 'quiet stayers' were the first resurrection witnesses?
- 4.Where in your life are you faithfully present without recognition — and does this passage encourage you?
Devotional
The men ran. The women stayed.
That's the simple, devastating truth of the crucifixion narrative. The disciples who made the boldest promises — Peter, who said he'd die first; the twelve who ate the Last Supper with him — are nowhere to be found. And the women who'd followed Jesus from Galilee, who'd served him faithfully for years without titles or positions, are still there. Watching. Grieving. Refusing to leave.
Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus cast out seven demons. Mary, the mother of James and Joses, an ordinary mother. Salome, who'd asked Jesus for thrones for her sons. They're not the famous disciples. They're the faithful ones. And at the moment that mattered most, faithfulness is what showed up.
If you've ever felt invisible in your service — like the people with louder voices and bigger platforms get all the recognition while you just show up, day after day, without fanfare — look at who's at the cross. Look at who God chose to record by name. Not the bold promisers. The quiet stayers.
These women will also be the first witnesses of the resurrection. The ones who stayed through the worst moment will be the first to see the best one. Faithfulness doesn't always get celebrated in the moment. But it gets rewarded in the end.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead,.... For death, by crucifixion, was a slow lingering death; persons that…
Joses - Some MSS. and versions read Joset, others Joseph. See on Mat 27:56 (note).
Here we have an account of Christ's dying, how his enemies abused him, and God honoured him at his death.
I. There was a…
There were also women forerunners of the noble army of Holy Women, who were, in the ages to come, throughout the length…
Cross References
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