Resurrection Timeline: The Women Who Came to the Tomb

Matthew 28:1-10

God gave us the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John for a reason. He wants us to study all of them together. There are four different accounts of the day Jesus arose from the dead. We must take all four accounts and put them together so we know what happened.

God commands us to “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” And that’s what we’re going to do right here today.

Matthew 28:1
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Which Women Went to the Sepulchre?

We’re setting the scene here. It’s the end of the sabbath. It’s dawning toward the first day of the week. We see Mary Magdalene and the other Mary coming to see the sepulchre. If you only read Matthew, you would think that it’s just two women coming to the tomb of Jesus Christ. Do you see that?

But we have three other accounts in Mark, Luke, and John.

Mark 16:1-2
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.  2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

Now we see the Sabbath is past. We see them coming very early in the morning the first day of the week. They come unto the sepulchre or tomb where Jesus was buried at the rising of the sun. Who is coming this time?

We see Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. In Matthew, we saw Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. Now this is a cue from the word of God to study all the women that went to the tomb. So, now we go back and search the Scriptures closely.

When you do this, you’re going to want to read Matthew Chapter 27 and 28. Mark Chapter 15 and 16, Luke Chapter 23 and 24, and John Chapter 19 and 20. I am going to show you all the verses with the women mentioned in order starting in the Gospel of Matthew.

Write Down the Women In the Bible

I want you to pay close attention to each of the women mentioned in every one of these verses. If you have paper and pencil, please write them down.

Matthew 27:55-56
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 Zebedee’s children.

We see Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children. This is three different women that we see here watching as Jesus died on the cross. Notice the color coding that I have there for each of the different women. And by the way, before we go any further, I want to mention who Mary the mother of James and Joses happens to be.

Matthew 13:55
Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Mary the mother of James and Joses is Mary the mother of Jesus who was a virgin when Jesus was conceived, but didn’t stay a virgin. She had James, Joses, Simon, and Judas after she had Jesus. We’re moving along finding the occurrences of the women who followed Jesus.

Matthew 27:60-61
And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.  61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

How Many Women Were There?

Now we see Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sitting over against the tomb.

Matthew 28:1
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

We are stopping there in Matthew because we are studying to see the women who came to the tomb on resurrection day. There’s more about the women in Matthew 28, but we’ll come back to that another time. Remember, we’re finding the women that came to the tomb.

Mark 15:39-41
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.

We see Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the less and Joses, and Salome. We see three different women, the same we see in the cross reference to Matthew 27:56.

Matthew 27:55-56	Mark 15:40
Matthew 27:55-56   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 Zebedee’s children.	Mark 15:40   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;

I believe the mother of Zebedee’s children is Salome based on the exact cross reference. But, there’s a small possibility the mother of Zebedee’s children is not Salome because there are other women there too.

All The Gospel Accounts Matter

Mark 15:46-47
And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.  47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

So Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses know where Jesus is buried.

Mark 16:1-2
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.  2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

We are on resurrection day right here. We see Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. In Matthew, on resurrection day, we saw Mary Magdalane and the other Mary. But now we know there are at least three women coming to the tomb. Now we go to the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 23:26-27
And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.  27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

We see women following Jesus towards his crucifixion.

Luke 23:46-49
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.  47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.  48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.  49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

Many Different Women Went to the Tomb

As Jesus died, these women watched from afar off. They saw Jesus die on the cross. They were very sad that this was happening to Jesus. Keep in mind that we are looking at all the occurrences of the women who most likely went to the tomb the day Jesus arose from the dead. And we’re going in order through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the four Gospels.

Luke 23:53-56
And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.  54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.  55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.  56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

The women, plural, followed the body of Jesus. They knew where he was laid. Notice that this is the very end of Luke Chapter 23. We’re moving to the very beginning of the next chapter, Luke Chapter 24.

Luke 24:1-2
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.  2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

The names of the women aren’t mentioned yet in Luke. The Bible says the women. They came unto the sepulchre or tomb. And certain others were with them. The women which dame with him from Galilee and certain others with them. There were many different women that came to the tomb. The Bible says so right here in Luke.

Now We See More Names of the Women

Now, we keep moving along the timeline of the resurrection day of Jesus Christ or the day that Jesus arose from the dead.

Luke 24:9-10
And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.  10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

Later in the chapter, in verse 10, we see the names of some of the women that came to the tomb. We see Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women meaning more than one other or at least two more women. Now we know, from putting the Scriptures together, that there are at least five different women that came to the tomb of Jesus on resurrection day.

By name, the Bible lists these women that came to the tomb:

• Mary Magdalene (Mt 27:56, 61, 28:1; Mk 15:40, 47, 16:1; Lu 24:10) – 7 times

• Mary the mother of James and Joses (Mt 27:56), The other Mary (Mt 27:61, 28:1), Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses (Mk 15:40), Mary the mother of Joses (Mk 15:47), Mary the mother of James (Mk 16:1, Lu 24:10) – 7 times

• The mother of Zebedee’s children (Mt 27:56), Salome (Mk 15:40, 16:1) – 3 times

• Joanna (Lu 24:10) – 1 time

• Other women (Lu 23:27, 49, 55, 24:1)

Now let’s go to the Gospel of John. These women are very important to Jesus and the day he arose from the dead.

The Gospel of John Gives us Even More Information

John 19:25
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

I personally believe there are three women listed there. But there could be four women. Jesus is crucified on the cross and his mother Mary is there. His mother Mary’s sister who is Mary the wife of Cleophas.

This is probably his sister-in-law since his mother Mary and her sister probably aren’t both named Mary. But maybe they are both named Mary. And then we see Mary Magdalene again. So there is another Mary mentioned here. This new Mary that we see here might be the other Mary we see in Matthew. We keep moving forward in the Gospel of John.

John 20:1-2
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.  2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

Now, in John here, on the day Jesus arose from the dead, we only see Mary Magdalene mentioned. Was she alone when she was coming to see the body of Jesus? No, we know that she wasn’t. But if you read John all alone without putting the other Gospels next to it, you might think that.

Don’t Create Lies Because You Didn’t Study The Gospels

So, you have to be very careful when reading and studying the Gospels. That Scripture is true. This is how the Bible works, but there were other women with Mary Magdalene. So, if I preached that Mary Magdalane came on her own to the tomb without anyone else, I would be preaching lies. So I have to be very careful.

This is knowledge and wisdom that you’re learning from the Bible. You’re seeing how God works in the Bible. This will help you get other things right in the Bible.

• Mary Magdalene (Mt 27:56, 61, 28:1; Mk 15:40, 47, 16:1; Lu 24:10, Jn 19:25, 20:1) – 9 times

• Mary the mother of James and Joses (Mt 27:56), The other Mary (Mt 27:61, 28:1), Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses (Mk 15:40), Mary the mother of Joses (Mk 15:47), Mary the mother of James (Mk 16:1, Lu 24:10), His Mother (Jn 19:25) – 8 times

• The mother of Zebedee’s children (Mt 27:56), Salome (Mk 15:40, 16:1) – 3 times

• Joanna (Lu 24:10) – 1 time

• Other women (Lu 23:27, 49, 55, 24:1)

• His Mother’s Sister (Jn 19:25) – 1 time

• Mary the wife of Cleophas (Jn 19:25) – 1 time

Based on the results of this Bibe study, there were probably at least seven women that went to the tomb to see the sepulchre of Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the day Jesus arose from the dead.

There Were Many Women There

Now, when you’re reading about the day Jesus arose from the dead, in the Gospels, you’ll know that there were many women that came to the tomb of Jesus Christ together. Is this important? Yes, it’s very important.

Matthew 28:1
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Now you know that this verse is true, but it’s not just Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. It’s not just two women.

Mark 16:1-2
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.  2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

There is no contradiction. And that’s not the only women that were there with them. There were more.

Luke 24:1
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

At Least Seven Women Went to the Sepulchre the First Day of the Week

Now you know who they were in this Scripture. There were at least seven women going to the tomb that morning.

John 20:1
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

So, yes, knowing that it wasn’t just Mary Magdalene by studying all the Gospels is very important. Did Mary Magdalene come early that day. Yes she did, but she wasn’t alone at that time. Later that day, she is alone. Now, with that said, I want to show you something that we will study in detail next week. And you can get ready for this study next week.

Let’s go back to where we started. We started by reading Matthew Chapter 28 verses 1 through 10. Let’s go there. I’m going to show you what you learned today about there being many more women will help you to get the Scriptures right.

Matthew 28:1
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

We now know that it’s not just Mary Magdalene and the other Mary that went to the tomb. There were several other women there too. Probably at least 5 other women. Next verse.

Matthew 28:2-6
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.  3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:  4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.  5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Mary Magdalene Didn’t Speak to the Angel

Now, if you didn’t study your Bible in detail, who would you think was there when the Bible says in verse 5, “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus?” You would think that the angel spoke to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. Why? Because verse 1 says that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the sepulchre.

But I’m going to show you next week that Mary Magdalene wasn’t there at the time that angel answered and said that right there in verse 5. Mary Magdalene didn’t hear that. You have to study all four Gospels to get this right.

John 20:1-2
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.  2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

As soon as Mary Magdalene saw the stone removed from the sepulchre, she ran away without the other women. The other women, which we now know to be several different women, stayed there and spoke with the angels which told them that Jesus has risen from the dead. Mary Magdalene didn’t hear that part. She ran away first and separated from the other women.

When she comes back, that’s when Jesus appears to her first before anyone else. And no one else was with her. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene first. And we’ll continue going over this in detail. I hope you’re learning something. And I hope you’re seeing how the Bible works.

Let’s pray.