Jesus’ followers at the Cross.
According to the Gospel accounts, there were several followers of Jesus who stayed at the foot of the cross when he was crucified:
- Mary, the mother of Jesus (John 19:25)
- Mary Magdalene (John 19:25; Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40)
- John, the beloved disciple (John 19:26-27)
- Salome, the mother of James and John (Mark 15:40)
- Mary, the wife of Clopas (John 19:25)
- Other women who had followed Jesus from Galilee (Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:41)
It’s worth noting that while these individuals are specifically mentioned as being at the foot of the cross, there may have been others who were present as well.
While the Gospel accounts do not specifically mention any of Jesus’ followers fleeing at the foot of the cross, there are a few instances where it is implied that some of his disciples abandoned him during his crucifixion:
- Peter: Although Peter is not specifically mentioned as being at the foot of the cross, he is known to have denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion and then fled when Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27). It is possible that he continued to stay away out of fear during the crucifixion.
- The rest of the twelve disciples: According to the Gospel accounts, all of the disciples except for John fled and abandoned Jesus after he was arrested (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50).
- Other followers: It is possible that other followers of Jesus who were not specifically mentioned also fled out of fear during the crucifixion.
However, it is worth noting that Jesus’ followers’ actions during the crucifixion should be understood in the context of the extreme danger they were facing as his followers. They were likely facing severe persecution and even death if they were seen as associating with Jesus at that time.
In the culture of the time of Jesus, women held a relatively low status in society compared to men. Women were generally not considered to be credible witnesses and were often excluded from public life and religious activities.
Therefore, it is significant that the Bible records women as being present at the foot of the cross and as the first witnesses to the resurrection.
The fact that women were present at the foot of the cross and were among the first to witness the resurrected Jesus highlights the credibility of their testimony. If the authors of the Gospel accounts were inventing the story, they would not have chosen women to be the first witnesses, as their testimony would not have been considered reliable in the culture of the time. The fact that they did choose women suggests that they were reporting what they believed to be true, even if it went against cultural norms and expectations.
Additionally, the inclusion of women in the Gospel accounts demonstrates Jesus’ radical approach to gender and social status. Jesus frequently challenged cultural norms and societal expectations, often by elevating the status of women and marginalized groups. By including women in the accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection, the Gospel writers were emphasizing Jesus’ teachings and actions that affirmed the dignity and value of all people, regardless of gender or social status.
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