Mark Chapter 15 · Verse 40
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;
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπὸ
off
G575
ἀπὸ
off
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 26
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
θεωροῦσαι
looking
G2334
θεωροῦσαι
looking
Strong's:
G2334
Word #:
7 of 26
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
αἷς
whom
G3739
αἷς
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
9 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Μαρία
Mary
G3137
Μαρία
Mary
Strong's:
G3137
Word #:
12 of 26
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Μαγδαληνὴ
Magdalene
G3094
Μαγδαληνὴ
Magdalene
Strong's:
G3094
Word #:
14 of 26
a female magdalene, i.e., inhabitant of magdala
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Μαρία
Mary
G3137
Μαρία
Mary
Strong's:
G3137
Word #:
16 of 26
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μικροῦ
the less
G3398
μικροῦ
the less
Strong's:
G3398
Word #:
21 of 26
small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μήτηρ
the mother
G3384
μήτηρ
the mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
24 of 26
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
Cross References
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.Matthew 13:55Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?Matthew 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.Matthew 27:61And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
Historical Context
Crucifixion was designed for maximum humiliation and public spectacle. That these women remained present despite horror and danger testified to extraordinary devotion. They risked association with a convicted criminal yet refused to abandon Him. Mary Magdalene's prominence in all four Gospels' resurrection accounts establishes her as a foundational witness. Later Gnostic attempts to create romance theories between Jesus and Mary Magdalene are baseless fabrications contradicted by all canonical evidence. She was a delivered disciple, not a romantic interest.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the faithful presence of women at the cross—when most male disciples fled—teach about courage and devotion?
- How does God's choice of women as primary witnesses challenge first-century gender hierarchies and modern dismissal of women's testimony?
- What does Mary Magdalene's transformation from demonized outcast to faithful disciple reveal about Christ's deliverance and grace?
Analysis & Commentary
There were also women looking on afar off—Mark introduces the faithful women who witnessed the crucifixion from a distance. The Greek verb means to observe, behold, watch attentively—not casual onlookers but devoted witnesses bearing testimony. Among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome—Three named women represent the larger group. Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus cast seven demons, became one of His most devoted followers. Mary the mother of James was likely Jesus's aunt. Salome was the mother of James and John. The prominence of women witnesses is historically significant—in first-century Judaism, women's testimony was not legally recognized. Yet God chose women as primary witnesses to Christianity's central events—death, burial, resurrection. This demonstrates the gospel's radical nature: Christ elevates the humble and honors the marginalized.