Matthew 27:56

Authorized King James Version

Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἐν
G1722
Among
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#2
αἷς
G3739
which
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#3
ἦν
G2258
was
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
#4
Μαρία
G3137
Mary
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
#5
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
Μαγδαληνὴ
G3094
Magdalene
a female magdalene, i.e., inhabitant of magdala
#7
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#8
Μαρία
G3137
Mary
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
#9
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
Ἰακώβου
G2385
of James
jacobus, the name of three israelites
#12
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#13
Ἰωσὴ
G2499
jose, an israelite
#14
μήτηρ
G3384
the mother
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
#15
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#16
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#17
μήτηρ
G3384
the mother
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
#18
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
υἱῶν
G5207
children
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
#20
Ζεβεδαίου
G2199
of Zebedee's
zebedaeus, an israelite

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish biographical literature presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Matthew Understanding a worldview expecting divine intervention through a promised Messiah helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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