Who were the people at Jesus' death?

[RomanRyan1088]

Hello all, after making my commitment to christ this past weekend, I have began reading the New Testament, which was givin to me at the search I went to. I have read Matthew and Mark so far. I was wondering a few things though…

In Matthew we read…

There were many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

In Mark we read…

There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome. These women had followed him when he was in Galilee and ministered to him. There were also many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

In John we read…

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

My question is, who is Mary, the mother of the younger James and of Joses? Is this the same Mary in the book of Matthew who is the mother of James and Joseph. Who are James and Joseph? Who is Salome? How come the other gosples fail to mention that his mother was there? Exactally how many people were there?

Thanks to everyone, God bless.

 

[JLove]

Good question. I hope I can help.

From what I understand they (the Gospel accounts) are all saying the same thing. Mary the mother of the sons of Zebedee and Salome are the same (this is also John’s, the gospel writer and beloved disciple, mother.) Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary the mother of James and Joses/Joseph (James and Joses are the same person) are the same person. That should clear some of the confusion. How many people were there? Well, Mark would indicate a whole bunch, but for sure the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, John, and the other two Marys from above. I say five for sure. Who were James the younger and Joseph? Look at Matt. 13:55 and Mark 6:3. They say the same thing. They refer to these men as the “brothers” of the Lord. But the accounts from the foot of the cross refer to them as the sons of Mary’s (Christ’s Mom) sister. Which would make them cousins to Jesus.
On a side note: those two verses are often used to disprove the perpetual virginity of Mary, but I think we’ve just seen that they actually support it. Recalling that there’s no word in Aramaic for cousin it only makes sense to call them brothers.
Hope that helps and congrats on your commitment. Stay strong and God bless.

 

[JLove]

I forgot to answer your question of why the other Gospels fail to mention that the Virgin Mary was there at the cross. We can’t know for sure, but probably because John (the only one who names her there) was the only male disciple there. Matthew and Mark were off hiding with the other eight, and Luke hadn’t yet converted.

 

[RomanRyan1088]

JLove:

Good question. I hope I can help.

From what I understand they (the Gospel accounts) are all saying the same thing. Mary the mother of the sons of Zebedee and Salome are the same (this is also John’s, the gospel writer and beloved disciple, mother.) Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary the mother of James and Joses/Joseph (James and Joses are the same person) are the same person. That should clear some of the confusion. How many people were there? Well, Mark would indicate a whole bunch, but for sure the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, John, and the other two Marys from above. I say five for sure. Who were James the younger and Joseph? Look at Matt. 13:55 and Mark 6:3. They say the same thing. They refer to these men as the “brothers” of the Lord. But the accounts from the foot of the cross refer to them as the sons of Mary’s (Christ’s Mom) sister. Which would make them cousins to Jesus.
On a side note: those two verses are often used to disprove the perpetual virginity of Mary, but I think we’ve just seen that they actually support it. Recalling that there’s no word in Aramaic for cousin it only makes sense to call them brothers.
Hope that helps and congrats on your commitment. Stay strong and God bless.

Wow, that is ineresting, thanks. I appreciate your help.