Mark 15:41Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What can we infer from the fact that women provided for Him, as it is noted that He was accompanied by women who ministered to Him? This serves to illustrate from the outset that the Lord welcomes those who perform acts of kindness. Could not Paul, who labored with his own hands to meet not only his needs but also the needs of others, have lived independently without needing anything from anyone? Yet, we observe how he both receives assistance and requests it. Listen to his reasoning: I desire, he states, not a gift, but rather the fruits that increase to your account (Phil. 4:17).

And so the order is inverted, for the Jew kills, and the Gentile confesses; the disciples fly, and the women remain. For there follows: There were also women looking on afar off, amongst whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome.

This also he most of all wondered at, that after that voice which He sent forth as a figure of our sin, He immediately gave up His spirit. For the spirit of the Mediator shewed that no penalty of sin could have had power to cause the death of His flesh; for it did not leave the flesh unwillingly, but as it willed, for it was joined to the Word of God in the unity of person.

The veil of the temple is rent, that is, the heaven is opened.

But it seems to me, that here three women are chiefly named, by Matthew and Mark. Two indeed are set down by each Evangelist, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James; the third is called by Matthew, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, but by Mark she is called Salome.

Now the cause of the centurion’s wonder is clear, that seeing that the Lord died in that way, that is, sent forth His spirit, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. For no one can send forth his own spirit, but He who is the Creator of souls.

For the followers of Jesus Christ, the dimming skies and the stillness of creation during this moment became a suitable time to approach the cross, where a sense of tranquility could be found. The Evangelists describe those who were familiar with the Lord, particularly the many Galilean women who had traveled to the festival. As noted in Mark, these women had followed Him even while He was in Galilee (Mark 15:41) and provided assistance from their own means (Matthew 27:55). Among them were Salome, the wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John (Mark 15:40; Matthew 27:56); Mary Magdalene; Mary, the sister of Our Lady, who was the mother of Cleopas (John 19:25), and her sons James and Joseph; as well as John, the beloved disciple of Jesus; and the Mother of the Lord.

At the foot of the cross of Jesus stand His mother, her sister, Mary Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. Who are these devoted companions of the Most Holy Mother? Mary Cleopas was the spouse of Cleopas, also known as Alphaeus, and the mother of Josiah and James the Less, who were cousins of our Savior. Mary Magdalene, having been miraculously delivered from sin and unclean spirits, became a devoted follower of Christ; she journeyed with Him and provided for His needs as she was able. It is through this same love that she finds herself at the cross. Nearby, we also see Salome, the wife of Zebedee and mother to the Apostles James and John, alongside several other women who had accompanied the Lord from Galilee to Jerusalem.

The Society of Jesus found itself in a state of deep anguish following His departure. As the soldiers arrived in Gethsemane to arrest Him, His disciples scattered in fear. Many of them were likely not even present in Jerusalem during His final hours. Among the two who managed to follow Him to His trial, one was consumed by remorse for his betrayal, while the other, a witness to Jesus’ last moments, shared in the deep sorrow of His grieving mother. Consider the unfortunate traitor who, overwhelmed by regret for his actions, ultimately took his own life. Here stand the successors of the twelve thrones in the kingdom of Christ, expected to judge the twelve tribes of Israel! How far removed was this promise from their minds!

Despite the taunts and scorn directed at Jesus by His adversaries on Golgotha, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, Mary of Cleopas, and the Apostle John approached His Cross without fear. Archbishop Innocent speculates that they drew near only when darkness enveloped the scene, believing that prior to this, openly showing their love for Jesus would expose them to ridicule from His foes, particularly the Theotokos, who might have faced disrespect if recognized. However, this perspective seems unlikely. It is difficult to imagine that Our Lady merely observed Her Son's suffering from a distance; instead, the compassionate heart of a mother urged her towards Him, to where He endured His pain alone amid cruel enemies, with no one to turn to for relief. Everyone can relate to the agony of being surrounded by adversaries, feeling entirely isolated in their suffering, but a mother’s heart comprehends this anguish on a deeper level, often driven solely by an overwhelming desire to be present, heedless of potential dangers. Thus, one can reasonably presume that as soon as the soldiers completed their task and settled in to guard Jesus, John guided the Mother of God through the throng, accompanied by Mary Magdalene and Mary Cleopas; they all stood firm by the Cross, disregarding any threats.

It is plausible that at first they stood in such a way that Jesus did not see them; perhaps the malicious crowd encircling the Cross created a barrier. Yet, when those who insulted Him grew weary and began to leave the vicinity, Our Lady and John, who watched over her, moved closer, ensuring that Jesus could see them. When Christ departed from this earthly realm, His Blessed Mother was left alone, with no one to care for her. Joseph had passed away, and the so-called brothers of the Lord, sons of Mary Cleopas and not part of Jesus' circle of followers, were also absent, leaving no other relatives. Therefore, when Jesus noticed His Mother and His beloved disciple standing beside her, He felt it right to entrust her care to John, saying, “Woman, behold your son” (John 19:26), gesturing towards John. Then, addressing John and indicating His Mother, He added, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:27). John later recounts this moment, noting that from that point on, he took her into his home and cared for her as a son would for his mother (John 19:27).

The Evangelists Matthew and Mark, when describing the women at the crucifixion observing from a distance, do not mention the Mother of God (Mark 15:40-41), leading us to speculate that she may not have been present at her Son's death. Perhaps Jesus wished to shield her from the profound sorrow of witnessing His suffering and, by a glance, indicated to John to take her aside; yet, it is reasonable to believe that John returned to the Cross after escorting Our Lady away, as he continues to narrate the events that followed, stating emphatically, “And he who saw testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he speaks the truth” (John 19:35). It seems improbable that John would have left Our Lady on her own during such a poignant and distressing moment. Thus, there is ample reason to concede that Our Lady remained near the Cross to the very end or at a minimal distance. “And the people stood and watched” (Luke 23:35).

But what became of the other Apostles, apart from John? Where were those steadfast companions of Christ who resolved to accompany Him on His final journey to Jerusalem, ready to perish alongside Him? Where was Peter, who boldly vowed to lay down his life for Christ? Where were they during this painful time for their Master, whom they had just recently acknowledged as the Son of God? Where had they fled?... Meanwhile, away from Golgotha, Judas was running, glancing back (Matthew 27:5). Where were the remaining ten Apostles? Where were the individuals whom Christ had called His friends during their last conversation (John 15:15)? The Gospel does not provide answers to these questions, but understanding the events leading up to this moment allows for a reasoned inference about the ten Apostles' state of mind as they scattered. Like the rest of the Jewish population of that era, they had awaited the Messiah as a triumphant King of Israel, one who would break the Roman oppression, dominate all nations, and bring them under Jewish authority. Such were the Jewish expectations regarding the Messiah’s coming; these desirable visions were so captivating that even the Apostles—despite Christ's numerous assertions that His kingdom was not of this world—found it difficult to abandon them. They imagined the glorious positions they would attain in the Messiah's kingdom, even competing amongst themselves regarding who would sit in the most esteemed places within His reign. The ‘Sons of Thunder,’ John and James, even dared to ask the Lord to grant them places of honor, one on His right hand and the other on His left. Their conviction in the mighty kingdom of the Messiah was so profound, obscuring their understanding, that they failed to believe the Lord’s warnings about His impending sufferings, death, and resurrection. Such afflictions appeared incompatible with their image of the King of Israel. How could He endure suffering? How could He die? Surely the Messiah would live forever; thus, He could not perish. But how then would resurrection be possible if, as the Messiah, He could not die? This last inquiry posed a dilemma for the Apostles, leaving them confounded and unwilling to seek answers. They were bewildered by Jesus' hesitance to establish His kingdom; they likely wondered why He declined to accept His kingship when the crowd, having been fed miraculously, desired to escort Him to Jerusalem for that purpose. Having lost hope in their aspirations upon His final journey, they attempted to dissuade Him from going, fearing certain death awaited Him. By this time, their belief in Him as the Messiah had already started to wane, and only their affection for Him as a Prophet and Healer motivated them to follow Him. Thomas stated, “Come and let us die with Him!”—and they all went.

The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem elicited jubilant shouts from the crowd greeting their King-Messiah, rekindling transient hopes among the Apostles that the glorious kingdom would soon materialize. Nevertheless, the rift between Jesus and the ruling authorities, coupled with the crowd's growing indifference toward Him, left His friends in sorrow. When He was arrested like a criminal and brought before trial, fear compelled them to forsake Him, including the most ardent among them, who denied Him thrice and hesitated even to utter His name. Afterward, they might have still harbored hopes that somehow their Master would be saved from the disgrace of execution and eventually, in triumph over His adversaries, establish His reign. Thus, they likely stood at Calvary, amidst the throng. Yet, alas! Such hopes were not destined to come to fruition. Rather than deploying His miraculous powers to deliver Himself from death, Christ prayed for His executioners. As He hung on the Cross, the insidious mockery directed at Him—“If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross” —could not have failed to plant doubt in the Apostles’ hearts. Did they not mentally beseech Him: “Lord! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross and reveal Your kingdom. All will believe in You. O Lord! Do not tarry. Come down from the cross. Come down, Lord!”? If the Cross served as a considerable temptation for many who were prepared to acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, could it not also challenge the Apostles? Might it not have plunged them into sorrow, despair, and disillusionment? Gazing at their crucified Master from afar, asking Him to descend from the Cross, and witnessing the absence of any answer to their petitions could have led them to hopelessness. Their cherished aspirations for the radiant kingdom of the Messiah lay in ruins, and their hopes of playing a significant role within that kingdom had vanished; it was as if everything had collapsed! And how many times had that kingdom seemed so attainable in their dreams? They had once asked Jesus what reward awaited them for leaving everything behind to follow Him; to which Christ responded that when He occupies the Throne of His glory, they too would sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Not grasping the true meaning of these words then, they now reflected upon them with sorrow and despair, questioning, “Where are these promised thrones? And where is the Throne of Glory of Jesus? Is it not this Cross? Will they not share in His suffering? Will they not also be crucified as His disciples, co-workers in His mission? Why would He lead them into such an unbearable circumstance? Why mention these thrones when He awaits the Cross instead of the Kingdom of Glory?”

The Crucified One's adversaries were not the sole figures present at the cross. There were also individuals whose hearts ached for the Savior. A group of women stood at a distance, gazing at Him with a blend of horror and compassion. Many were those who had ministered to Him in Galilee and had traveled with other Galilean worshipers to the feast. Among this distressed gathering, the most notable were His mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the wife of Cleopas, the mother of James and Joseph, and Salome, the wife of Zebedee. Some stepped closer to the crucifixion, and the Savior’s weary gaze fell upon His holy Mother, who stood there with profound sorrow piercing her heart, alongside the beloved disciple.

In the midst of the gathered crowd near the cross, there are indeed some souls filled with passionate devotion for the Lord. Present are His mother, His cherished disciple, and several women from Galilee. Yet, they hesitate to approach the cross, remaining silent as mockery and scorn echo around them. Consequently, in these harrowing moments, not a single expression of sympathy or solace, nor any loving words, reach the ears of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Those who were familiar with the Lord, including several devoted women who had supported Him from their homes and had traveled with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, stood at a distance, observing all that transpired. Among those witnesses seeking to understand the full extent of the situation, the Holy Evangelists mention Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas, the sister of the Mother of God and mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome, the mother of James the Greater and John, sons of Zebedee. As Salome beheld the cross where the Lord had been crucified, she reflected with profound grief on her foolish request for her sons to occupy positions of honor in Christ’s earthly kingdom (Matthew 20:21).