Mark 15:40-47 · Read 3 min · think and write 15 min
Luke’s Gospel records that while Jesus was in Galilee, “he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of God’s Kingdom. With him were the twelve” (Luke 8:1), “and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out” (Luke 8:2); “and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who served them from their possessions” (Luke 8:3).
Later, in Jerusalem, Jesus was crucified. Mark’s Gospel records: “Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit” (Mark 15:37). This lesson reads what happened next that day.
40There were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
41who, when he was in Galilee, followed him and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
42When evening had now come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,
43Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for God’s Kingdom, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.
44Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long.
45When he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
46He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of a rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
47Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid.
Watching from afar. “There were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome” (v. 40). John’s Gospel, recording this day, says: “But standing by Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene” (John 19:25); see Mary (Mother of Jesus), Lesson 4. Each book records it in its own way, and both give her name.
Followed him and served him. These women were those “who, when he was in Galilee, followed him and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem” (v. 41). As Before We Begin read, Luke’s Gospel says that they “served them from their possessions” (Luke 8:3). They had followed him all the way from Galilee to Jerusalem.
The Preparation Day. “When evening had now come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath” (v. 42), “Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for God’s Kingdom, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body” (v. 43).
Already dead. “Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long” (v. 44). “When he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph” (v. 45).
A stone against the door. “He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of a rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb” (v. 46).
Where he was laid. “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid” (v. 47). The passage does not record anything they said; it records only that they saw.
Afterwards. “When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint him” (Mark 16:1). The next lesson reads that morning as John’s Gospel records it.
Luke’s Gospel also records this day: “The women who had come with him out of Galilee followed after, and saw the tomb and how his body was laid” (Luke 23:55). “They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment” (Luke 23:56).
Readers can see this: what Mark’s Gospel records is that “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid” (v. 47).
Perhaps you have followed Jesus for some years now, and yet something has happened that makes it seem as if everything is over: someone you had prayed for for a long time has died, something you had long hoped for has come to nothing, and all you can do is watch.
This lesson does not say that those who follow Jesus will never meet days like this; nor does it say that you need to understand what has happened before you can stay. What it shows you is this: these women were those who “followed him and served him” (v. 41); that day they were “watching from afar” (v. 40); and when evening came, “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid” (v. 47).
This week: Think of someone who has been quietly serving and is seldom noticed — perhaps the person at church who comes early every week to set out the chairs. This week, find a chance to thank them, in person or in a few written lines.
Scripture: World English Bible.