King James Version

What Does Mark 15:40 Mean?

Mark 15:40 in the King James Version says “There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of J...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;”

Mark 15:40 · KJV

Context

38

And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

39

And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

40

There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

41

(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

42

And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There were also women looking on afar off—Mark introduces the faithful women who witnessed the crucifixion from a distance. The Greek verb means to observe, behold, watch attentively—not casual onlookers but devoted witnesses bearing testimony. Among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome—Three named women represent the larger group. Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus cast seven demons, became one of His most devoted followers. Mary the mother of James was likely Jesus's aunt. Salome was the mother of James and John. The prominence of women witnesses is historically significant—in first-century Judaism, women's testimony was not legally recognized. Yet God chose women as primary witnesses to Christianity's central events—death, burial, resurrection. This demonstrates the gospel's radical nature: Christ elevates the humble and honors the marginalized.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Crucifixion was designed for maximum humiliation and public spectacle. That these women remained present despite horror and danger testified to extraordinary devotion. They risked association with a convicted criminal yet refused to abandon Him. Mary Magdalene's prominence in all four Gospels' resurrection accounts establishes her as a foundational witness. Later Gnostic attempts to create romance theories between Jesus and Mary Magdalene are baseless fabrications contradicted by all canonical evidence. She was a delivered disciple, not a romantic interest.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the faithful presence of women at the cross—when most male disciples fled—teach about courage and devotion?
  2. How does God's choice of women as primary witnesses challenge first-century gender hierarchies and modern dismissal of women's testimony?
  3. What does Mary Magdalene's transformation from demonized outcast to faithful disciple reveal about Christ's deliverance and grace?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ἦν1 of 26

“was”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

δὲ2 of 26

“There”

G1161

but, and, etc

καὶ3 of 26

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

γυναῖκες4 of 26

“women”

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

ἀπὸ5 of 26

“off”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

μακρόθεν6 of 26

“on afar”

G3113

from a distance or afar

θεωροῦσαι7 of 26

“looking”

G2334

to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))

ἐν8 of 26
G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αἷς9 of 26

“whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἦν10 of 26

“was”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

καὶ11 of 26

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Μαρία12 of 26

“Mary”

G3137

maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females

ἡ13 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Μαγδαληνὴ14 of 26

“Magdalene”

G3094

a female magdalene, i.e., inhabitant of magdala

καὶ15 of 26

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Μαρία16 of 26

“Mary”

G3137

maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females

ἡ17 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τοῦ18 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰακώβου19 of 26

“of James”

G2385

jacobus, the name of three israelites

τοῦ20 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μικροῦ21 of 26

“the less”

G3398

small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)

καὶ22 of 26

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἰωσῆ23 of 26
G2499

jose, an israelite

μήτηρ24 of 26

“the mother”

G3384

a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)

καὶ25 of 26

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Σαλώμη26 of 26

“Salome”

G4539

salome (i.e., shelomah), an israelitess

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 15:40 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 15:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 27:55-56Luke 8:2-3Luke 23:49Matthew 27:61Matthew 13:55Mark 15:47-16:1

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