Mark 15:47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were looking on to see where He was laid.

Mark 15:47  Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were looking on to see where He was laid.

Who is looking on to see where He was laid?

“Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses…” (Mark 15:47).

•       ἡ δὲ Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ Μαρία ἡ Ἰωσῆτος

o  “Always in the NT, whenever proper names are in the equation, distinct individuals are in view. For example, we read of “Peter and James and John” (τὸν Πέτρον καὶ Ἰάκωβον καὶ Ἰωάννην) in Matt 17:1; “Mary Magdalene and Mary …” (ἡ δὲ Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ Μαρία) in Mark 15:47; “Martha and Mary” (τὴν Μάρθαν καὶ Μαριάμ) in John 11:19; “Barnabas and Saul” (τὸν Βαρναβᾶν καὶ Σαῦλον) in Acts 13:2. Yet at the same time they are united under one article for the purposes at hand. Peter and James and John were the inner circle of disciples (Matt 17:1), Martha and Mary were sisters (John 11:19), Barnabas and Saul had been set apart for a particular task (Acts 13:2). There is a reason for the lone article in every instance, viz., to conceptualize a contextually-defined coherent group. But because the nouns are proper, the article does not identify one with the other.”

Daniel B. Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996), 277–278.

o  “It is employed, as in classical, to identify a person by his father: Ἰάκωβον τὸν τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου Mt 4:21 etc. The rather frequent addition of υἱός is not Attic but Semitic (and Latin, Viereck 62): Ἰωάνην τὸν Ζαχαρίου υἱόν Lk 3:2. (2) If υἱός is omitted, contrary to classical usage a second article in the genitive is added after the first: Δαυὶδ τὸν τοῦ Ἰεσσαί A 13:22 OT; cf. pap. (Mayser ii 2, 7.22ff.). (3) Also to identify a mother by her son: Μαρία ἡ Ἰωσῆτος Mk 15:47 following Μαρία ἡ Ἰακώβου τοῦ μικροῦ καὶ Ἰωσῆτος μήτηρ 40 (cf. Mt 27:56).”

Friedrich Blass, Albert Debrunner, and Robert Walter Funk, A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1961), 89.

•       Who had observed the crucifixion?

“There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome” (Mark 15:40).

•       What does Luke record concerning the women who were with Jesus during His ministry in Galilee?

“Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means” (Luke 8:1-3).

•      What additional information does John give concerning those standing nearby the cross?

“...But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Women, behold, your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ From that hour the disciple took her into his own household” (John 19:25-27).

•       How had listeners in Jesus’ hometown previously identified Him after being astonished by His teaching in the synagogue?

“‘Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at Him” (Mark 6:3).

•       Who does Jesus say is His brother, sister and mother?

“For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35).

Why do Mary Magdalene and Mary of Joses look on?

“…to see where He was laid” (Mark 15:47).

Father,

The devotion and bold courage of Jesus’ followers testifies of the devotion and boldness of our Lord. And their love proves His discipleship. Their simple devotion shines as a beacon of Christ’s own love and light in this dark hour of His death. Thank You for this tender scene and testimony of courageous faith that inspires the same today. Thank You for the blessed hope of Jesus’ appearing and promise of eternal life in Christ that keeps us from grieving as do the rest who have no hope.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.