Matthew 27:55–56
Matthew 27:55-56 | |
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← 27:54 27:57 → | |
Book | Gospel of Matthew |
Christian Bible part | New Testament |
Matthew 27:55–56 are the fifty-sixth and fifty-seventh
Text
The original
- 55: ησαν δε εκει γυναικες πολλαι απο μακροθεν θεωρουσαι αιτινες
- ηκολουθησαν τω ιησου απο της γαλιλαιας διακονουσαι αυτω
- 56: εν αις ην μαρια η μαγδαληνη και μαρια η του ιακωβου
- και ιωσηφ μητηρ και η μητηρ των υιων ζεβεδαιου
In the King James Version of the Bible it is translated as:
- 55: And many women were there beholding afar off, which
- followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
- 56: Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of
- James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.
The modern World English Bible translates the passage as:
- 55: Many women were there watching from afar, who
- had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.
- 56: Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James
- and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
For a collection of other versions see BibleHub Matthew 27:55
Role of the women
These verses introduce a group of women, two of whom will be the central witnesses to the events of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.[1] The women followers of Jesus have been little mentioned in Matthew up to this point. Keener notes that the very mention of a religious leader with female followers could have been considered scandalous in this era.[2] It was traditional for female relatives to gather around and mourn at an execution. It was very rare to execute women, so while the disciples have fled in fear of the authorities, the female followers of Jesus could expect to be free from danger.[2]
The act of serving occurs several times in Matthew, by angels at
These verses are based on
Identity of the women
Mary Magdalene
This is the first mention of
Mary, mother of James
The second Mary mentioned, also generates much debate. She appears twice more in the resurrection narrative at
If the James being mentioned here is James, the brother of Jesus that implies that the Mary mentioned here is
Most scholars and Christian denominations thus do not believe that the Mary in this verse is the mother of Jesus. If this Mary is not mother of James the Great, or James, brother of Jesus, then she may be the mother of James, son of Alphaeus, or this James may be a new person entirely. In most Christian traditions this James is considered to be the James, son of Alphaeus, and he and James the Less are considered the same person.
Mother of the sons of Zebedee
References
- ^ a b c d Davies, W.D. and Dale C. Allison, Jr. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to Saint Matthew. Edinburgh : T. & T. Clark, 1988-1997.
- ^ a b Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2009. pg. 689
- ^ France, R.T. The Gospel of Matthew. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2007 pg. 1085
- ^ a b France, R.T. The Gospel According to Matthew: an Introduction and Commentary. Leicester: Inter-Varsity, 1985.
- ^ Harrington, Daniel J. The Gospel of Matthew. Liturgical Press, 1991 pg. 401
- ^ Gundry, Robert H. Matthew a Commentary on his Literary and Theological Art. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982. pg. 579
Preceded by Matthew 27:54 |
Gospel of Matthew Chapter 27 |
Succeeded by Matthew 27:57 |