Where were the women?

        And where were they not? In the spirit of the name of this publication, this article is a “view”, and we certainly won’t hang any doctrine on it, but it may be interesting to consider the subject. For instance, as the Lord travelled to Jerusalem for that last Passover, Matthew (20:20) tells us that, “the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus.” From there until 26:6, there is no mention of women talking with Jesus unless they were included in the term “disciples”. At this point we read of Mary of Bethany who came with her perfume. Now comes the preparation and eating of the Passover, the last supper, and the institution of the Lord’s Supper—we read in John 13:2 that “the evening meal was being served” (was it by the women?) No women are specifically mentioned and, from Jesus’ actions, it seems very unlikely that any were present. (Maybe the women were in the lower rooms preparing the meal and cleaning up?)

        The time in Gethsemane and the arrest had no women present, and only unbelieving servant girls show up in the courtyard when Jesus is tried by the chief priests. (26:69,71)

        Pilate’s wife is now mentioned (27:19) but Pilate ignores her and gives Jesus over to crucifixion. In the procession to Golgotha we read about “women who mourned and wailed for him.” (Lk.23:27) At the cross Jesus gives his mother into John’s care (John 19:25-27) Finally, at the death of the Lord, we are told that “many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from

Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.” (27:55-56) Somehow they had found out where he was (did they have contact with the disciples who ran?) and were at the cross to help and comfort if they could.

        The women must have stayed at the cross long after Jesus gave up his spirit, because when Joseph of Arimathea finally got permission from Pilate and showed up as evening approached, to take down the body, they were there to follow him to the tomb. When Joseph put the body in his new tomb (27:57) we are told, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.” (27:61)

      “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb...He has risen! He is not here. Mark 16:2-6.

        We might wonder where Mary, the mother of the Lord, was all this time. It seems she may have been overcome with grief and had to leave everything to the younger women. Was Peter’s wife among these women too? In 1 Cor.9:5, Paul implies that (at least in later years) she travelled about with him.

        After all this discussion, we realize that a whole book could be written on this subject. Suffice if for now to say that although men such as Peter or Paul or Timothy might be the face of the gospel, it was women such as Lois and Eunice and Dorcas and Lydia who kept the faith alive in their families through dark decades and centuries.       Ì