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.  When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

The women in Mark’s gospel have not been key, but now they are hugely significant. Why?

It’s likely Peter was not present at the crucifixion of Jesus. Likely he had fled and kept a distance. Since Mark’s gospel was written based on the eye-witness accounting of Peter, the crucifixion would be an issue.

But there were people there: The women.

Peter goes into length to give them their rightfully credibility.

• He was with them from the early days in Galilee
• They followed him
• They ministered to him
• And there were other women
• It will also say in v. 47 that these women saw where Jesus was laid in the tomb
• Additionally we will see in Acts 1:14 that the women were right there after Jesus died and were praying with all the others

These were not simply women observers, but were active participants in the ministry of Jesus. They financially and physically cared for him. It was their worship.

The testimony of a matter was on the basis of 2-3 witnesses according to Deuteronomy 19:15, and women were not considered any less of a witness. So the women at the cross, who are mentioned in every single gospel (Matt 27:55; Mark 15:40; Luke 23:49; John 19:25), fulfilled this criteria.

Not only did he say the women were at the cross, but he names three of them: Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James and Joses, and Salome. That way if anyone had any questions, they could go to them specifically. They weren’t random witnesses but very specific ones to further the credibility

There are layers of gleaning here.

• There were many eyewitnesses to the events of the cross.
• These eyewitnesses were named for further credibility

About women

• Women were no less of a witness than men
• Women were disciples of Jesus and were significant parts of Jesus’ ministry

There is more to come about the role of the women. They would be the first evangelists and witnesses. But more on that in a bit.

The Gospel of Luke is more focused on the high value of women. But here in Mark, he wants to verify the credibility of what he is writing. And women are part of that.