Matthew 27:56

56. Mary Magdalene Mary of the town of Magdala, so called to distinguish her from the other Marys. See note on Matthew 5:39. The Lord had delivered her from the dominion of several evil spirits, which may have possessed her more as a sad misfortune than from any guilt. The reputation for impurity of life which has been imputed to her is without any proof, and the habit of connecting her name with ideas of unchastity should be disused. Mary the mother of James and Joses She was the sister of the virgin mother, and wife of Cleophas. James and Joses were therefore cousins of our Lord. This James was sometimes called James the Less. The mother of Zebedee’s children This was Salome of Bethsaida. See note on Matthew 20:20.

The crucifixion was now closed. The beloved Jesus is a corpse, still in the hands of his enemies, and upon the cross. But, by the Jewish law, no dead body must lie unburied after sundown. The three crucified are therefore taken down; and of the two thieves the legs are broken, to secure their certain death. But as the Saviour is found apparently dead they break not his body, but a soldier pierces his side. These facts the actuality of his death John testifies as seen by his own eyes.