Lesson Nine The Three Marys

John writes of three women named Mary who stood by the cross:

John writes of three women named Mary who stood by the cross: Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother,

John writes of three women named Mary who stood by the cross: Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas,

John writes of three women named Mary who stood by the cross: Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

Two of the Marys are easy to identify – Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene

Two of the Marys are easy to identify – Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene (although one must remember that Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany – the sister of Martha and Lazarus – are two different people.)

Some say that “Mary the wife of Cleophas” was Mary’s sister-in-law.

Some say that “Mary the wife of Cleophas” was Mary’s sister-in-law. Cleophas has been identified with Cleopas, one of the two men with Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:18).

Luke mentions “the women which came with him from Galilee” (Lk 23:55), but gives no names.

Matthew and Mark do not speak of the women who stood by the cross, but of the women who stood afar off.

Matthew and Mark do not speak of the women who stood by the cross, but of the women who stood afar off. As such, their accounts do not exactly match what is written in John.

Matthew and Mark both identify Mary Magdalene as one of the women.

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Matthew and Mark both identify Mary Magdalene as one of the women.

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Matthew and Mark both identify Mary Magdalene as one of the women. Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. “The mother of Zebedee’s children” is easily identified. Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. “The mother of Zebedee’s children” is easily identified. Zebedee’s children were the apostles “James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother” (Mt. 4:21). Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. “The mother of Zebedee’s children” is easily identified. Zebedee’s children were the apostles “James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother” (Mt. 4:21). Their mother asked Jesus to reserve a special place in heaven for her sons: Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Matthew 20:20-21 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

Matthew 20:20-21 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. Jesus answered,

Matthew 20:20-21 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. Jesus answered, “To sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father” (v. 23)

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Matthew speaks of three women: Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Matthew speaks of three women: 1. Mary Magdalene, Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Matthew speaks of three women: 1. Mary Magdalene, 2. Mary the mother of James and Joses, Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Matthew speaks of three women: 1. Mary Magdalene, 2. Mary the mother of James and Joses, 3. the mother of Zebedee’s children Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Matthew speaks of three women: 1. Mary Magdalene, 2. Mary the mother of James and Joses, 3. the mother of Zebedee’s children Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; Mark also speaks of three:

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Matthew speaks of three women: 1. Mary Magdalene, 2. Mary the mother of James and Joses, 3. the mother of Zebedee’s children Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; Mark also speaks of three: 1. Mary Magdalene,

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Matthew speaks of three women: 1. Mary Magdalene, 2. Mary the mother of James and Joses, 3. the mother of Zebedee’s children Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; Mark also speaks of three: 1. Mary Magdalene, 2. Mary the mother of James and Joses,

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Matthew speaks of three women: 1. Mary Magdalene, 2. Mary the mother of James and Joses, 3. the mother of Zebedee’s children Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; Mark also speaks of three: 1. Mary Magdalene, 2. Mary the mother of James and Joses, 3. Salome

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Matthew speaks of three women: 1. Mary Magdalene, 2. Mary the mother of James and Joses, 3. the mother of Zebedee’s children It stands to reason that the mother of Zebedee’s children was named Salome. Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; Mark also speaks of three: 1. Mary Magdalene, 2. Mary the mother of James and Joses, 3. Salome

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. There is one more woman to identify – Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. There is one more woman to identify – “Mary the mother of James and Joses” or more specifically, Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. There is one more woman to identify – “Mary the mother of James and Joses” or more specifically, Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; “Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses.”

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Who is she? And who is James the less? Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Jesus had siblings, the children of Joseph and Mary:

Two of his half-brothers were named James and Joses:

Matthew 13:54-57a 54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? 57 And they were offended in him … Two of his half-brothers were named James and Joses:

Matthew 13:54-57a 54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? 57 And they were offended in him. James, the half-brother of Jesus, is the man Mark called “James the less.”

Just like Simon and Mary, James was a common name Just like Simon and Mary, James was a common name. There were two men named James among the Lord’s twelve apostles:

Matthew 10:2-4 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Matthew 10:2-4 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. (These illustrations always replace Judas with Paul)

These are the 2 named James: Matthew 10:2-4 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

The half-brother of Jesus is called “James the less” to distinguish him from the two original apostles.

The half-brother of Jesus is called “James the less” to distinguish him from the two original apostles. Paul called him one of the pillars of the church, and referred to him as “the Lord's brother” (Gal. 1:19).

The half-brother of Jesus is called “James the less” to distinguish him from the two original apostles. Paul called him one of the pillars of the church, and referred to him as “the Lord's brother” (Gal. 1:19). He is the man who wrote the Epistle of James.

Why would Matthew and Mark refer to the mother of Jesus as “the mother of James and Joses”?

Why would Matthew and Mark refer to the mother of Jesus as “the mother of James and Joses”? Possibly to discourage the adoration of Mary that had already begun:

Luke 11:27-28 27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Some people refuse to accept that Mary had children after her firstborn son.

Some people refuse to accept that Mary had children after her firstborn son. Their global warming doctrine is their belief in Mary’s “perpetual virginity.”

Some people refuse to accept that Mary had children after her firstborn son. Their global warming doctrine is their belief in Mary’s “perpetual virginity.” This doctrine is primarily associated with Roman Catholicism and Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy, but it was also held by both Martin Luther and John Wesley.

Some people refuse to accept that Mary had children after her firstborn son. Their global warming doctrine is their belief in Mary’s “perpetual virginity.” This doctrine is primarily associated with Roman Catholicism and Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy, but it was also held by both Martin Luther and John Wesley. No one is immune to self-inflicted blindness.

Setting such things aside, it is reasonable to conclude that the three women of whom Matthew and Mark wrote were, in fact:

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Mary Magdalene, Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Mary Magdalene, Salome, the mother of Zebedee’s children, Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Mary Magdalene, Salome, the mother of Zebedee’s children, and Mary, the mother of James and Joses, Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Matthew 27:55-56 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Mary Magdalene, Salome, the mother of Zebedee’s children, and Mary, the mother of James and Joses, (who also had a son named Jesus). Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

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