Mark 6: 3 - The Other Mary - The Mother of James and Jose | Women of the Bible

Key Scriptures: Matthew 27:55–61; Matthew 28:1; Mark 15:40–47; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1–10

Mary, the mother of James and Joses, is one of the faithful women who followed Jesus and remained near Him during the darkest hours of His crucifixion. Although Scripture does not give us an extensive biography of her life, what it does reveal presents a woman of faithfulness, courage, service, and devotion.

Who Was This Mary?

Several women named Mary appear in the New Testament, so it is important to distinguish them.

Matthew identifies this woman at the crucifixion:

“Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.”
— Matthew 27:56 KJV

Mark similarly records:

“Among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome.”
— Mark 15:40 KJV

She should therefore not automatically be identified with Mary Magdalene or Mary the mother of Jesus. The Gospel writers distinguish these women in the crucifixion accounts.

She Followed Jesus

These women were not merely spectators who appeared at the end of Jesus' ministry.

Mark explains:

“Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him; and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.”
— Mark 15:41 KJV

Mary belonged to a company of women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered to Him.

Her discipleship involved more than listening to His teaching. It included service.

She followed.

She ministered.

She remained.

She Was Present at the Crucifixion

When Jesus was crucified, Mary was there.

Matthew 27:55 says that many women were “beholding afar off.” These were women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered unto Him.

The crucifixion was a dangerous and heartbreaking place to be identified with Jesus. Yet Mary did not disappear from the Gospel record when suffering came.

Her presence teaches us something important about discipleship:

Faithfulness is revealed not only by following Christ when crowds surround Him, but also by remaining devoted to Him when circumstances become painful.

Mary witnessed His suffering and death.

She Watched Where Jesus Was Buried

Mary's devotion continued after Jesus died.

Mark records:

“And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.”
— Mark 15:47 KJV

Matthew similarly says:

“And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.”
— Matthew 27:61 KJV

Mary paid attention to where Jesus' body had been placed.

The One she had followed through Galilee had been crucified, but she remained near His tomb.

She Came to Anoint Jesus

After the sabbath, Mary returned with other women.

“And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.”
— Mark 16:1 KJV

The women were coming to perform an act of devotion for someone they believed had died.

They were not expecting what happened next.

The tomb was empty.

The message was proclaimed:

“Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here.”
— Mark 16:6 KJV

The faithful woman who had witnessed His crucifixion and observed His burial was now among the women confronted with the glorious announcement of His resurrection.

From the Cross to the Empty Tomb

There is a beautiful progression in Mary's story.

She followed Jesus in Galilee.

She ministered unto Him.

She watched His crucifixion.

She observed His burial.

She returned to the tomb to serve Him.

Then she encountered the announcement:

“He is risen.”

Mary's story demonstrates steadfast devotion.

She did not know when she stood near the cross that an empty tomb was coming. She did not know while watching Joseph of Arimathaea place Jesus in the sepulchre what God would reveal after the sabbath.

She simply remained faithful.

What Women Can Learn from Mary

Mary teaches women the importance of steadfast discipleship.

It is possible to follow Jesus when everything appears hopeful and then withdraw when circumstances become difficult. Mary shows another kind of discipleship—the kind that continues through sorrow.

She followed Christ when He ministered in Galilee.

She remained when He was crucified.

She watched when He was buried.

She returned when she believed His body was still in the tomb.

Her devotion was not dependent upon favorable circumstances.

Personal Application

There will be times when you do not understand what God is doing.

Mary stood near a cross before she knew there would be an empty tomb.

Sometimes we find ourselves in the same spiritual position. We know what God has said, yet our present circumstances appear completely different from what we expected.

Mary's example teaches us:

Keep following.

Keep serving.

Keep believing God.

Remain faithful even when you cannot see what comes next.

The cross looked like the end, but God had already appointed the resurrection.

Mary's story reminds us that what appears to be the end of the story may only be the place where God is preparing to reveal what comes next.

A Woman Who Remained

Scripture does not preserve a sermon preached by Mary. It does not record a book written by her or give us a lengthy account of her life.

Instead, it repeatedly records something very powerful:

She was there.

She followed Jesus.

She served Jesus.

She remained near the cross.

She watched the tomb.

She returned after the sabbath.

Sometimes one of the greatest testimonies a woman can leave is simply this:

When others walked away, she remained faithful to Christ.