Verses 55-56
Why did Matthew include reference to the women who observed the crucifixion? Even though Jewish society did not regard women equally with men, their witness of Jesus’ death would have added some credibility to Matthew’s account (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:27-31). As Mary, who seemed to understand and believe something of what Jesus had said about dying (Matthew 26:6-13), they did not abandon Him as most of His unfaithful male disciples had done. The only believing disciples who did not abandon Him appear to have been a few powerless women, who could not help Him but only observed His sufferings from afar, and John (John 19:26-27). These women were the last at the cross and the first at the tomb (cf. Matthew 28:1) indicating their devotion to Jesus whom they had followed in Galilee and ministered to financially (Luke 8:2-3). Thus one reason for this mention of the women appears to be to bridge Jesus’ crucifixion and His resurrection. The women Matthew chose to identify by name were probably those whom his original readers knew best by the names he used to describe them. The chart below attempts to harmonize the references in the Gospels that identify the women who observed Jesus on the cross.
| Some Women Who Observed the Crucifixion |
| Matthew 27:56 | Mark 15:40 | John 19:25 |
| Mary Magdalene | Mary Magdalene | Mary Magdalene |
| Jesus’ mother (Mary) | ||
| Mary the mother of James and Joseph = | Mary the mother of James the less and Joses = | Mary the wife of Clopas |
| Mother of Zebedee’s sons = | Salome = | Jesus’ mother’s sister |
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