SPECIAL TOPIC: THE WOMEN WHO FOLLOWED JESUS

A. The first mention of the women followers of Jesus who helped Him and the Apostolic band is Luke 8:1-3.

1. Mary, who was called Magdalene (Luke 8:2)

a. Matt. 27:56,61; 28:1

b. Mark 15:40,47; 16:1,9

c. Luke 8:2; 24:10

d. John 19:25; 20:1,11,16,18

2. Joanna, the wife of Chuza (Herod's servant, Luke 8:3) is listed also in Luke 24:10

3. Susanna (Luke 8:3)

4. "and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means" (Luke 8:3)

B. A group of women are mentioned as being present at the crucifixion

1. Matthew's list

a. Mary Magdalene (Matt. 27:56)

b. Mary the mother of James and Joseph (Matt. 27:56)

c. the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Matt. 27:56)

2. Mark's list

a. Mary Magdalene (Mark 15:40)

b. Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses (Mark 15:40)

c. Salome (Mark 15:40)

3. Luke says only, "the women who accompanied Him from Galilee" (23:49)

4. John's list

a. Mary, Jesus' mother (John 19:25)

b. His mother's sister (John 19:25)

c. Mary of Clopas (KJ, Cleophas, this could mean wife of Clopas or daughter of Clopas, John 19:25)

d. Mary Magdalene (John 19:25)

C. A group of women is mentioned observing the place of Jesus' burial

1. Matthew's list

a. Mary Magdalene (Matt. 27:61)

b. the other Mary (Matt. 27:61)

2. Mark's list

a. Mary Magdalene (Mark 15:47)

b. Mary the mother of Joses (Mark 15:47)

3. Luke says only, "the women who had come with Him out of Galilee" (Luke 23:55)

4. John has no record of the women seeing the tomb

D. A group of women came to the tomb early Sunday morning

1. Matthew's list

a. Mary Magdalene (28:1)

b. the other Mary (28:1)

2. Mark's list

a. Mary Magdalene (16:1)

b. Mary the mother of James (16:1)

c. Salome (16:1)

3. Luke's list

a. "they came to the tomb" (24:1-5,24)

(1) Mary Magdalene (24:10)

(2) Joanna (24:10)

(3) Mary the mother of James (24:10)

4. John lists only Mary Magdalene (20:1,11)

E. The women are mentioned as being present in the upper room (Acts 1:14)

1. "the women" (Acts 1:14)

2. Mary the mother of Jesus (Acts 1:14)

F. The exact relationship between the different women in these lists is uncertain. Mary Magdalene obviously has a predominate role. A good article on "women" in Jesus' life and ministry is found in Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels published by IVP, pp. 880-886.