As we celebrate Women's History Month, it is fitting to look back at one of the most pivotal moments in spiritual history and acknowledge a profound truth that is often overlooked in traditional retellings. When we recount the story of the passion and resurrection of Christ, we are actually retelling a story deeply rooted in the courage, loyalty, and testimony of women.While theological and historical discussions often focus on the twelve male disciples, the narrative of the crucifixion highlights a sharp contrast in faithfulness. Scriptural accounts tell us that in Jesus’ darkest hour, as He was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, fear struck the hearts of His inner circle. Matthew 26:55-56 NIV [55] In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. [56] But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. (emphasis mine)
In the moments that followed, with the notable exception of John, the male disciples—those who had promised to stand by Him—scattered and went into hiding to save themselves.John 19:26-27 NIV [26] When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” [27] and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (emphasis mine)
Note: While the Gospel of John never uses the name "John" for this person, John 21:24 explicitly identifies this "beloved disciple" as the author of the Gospel. Church tradition has universally identified this author as John the Apostle.
However, the biblical narrative is perfectly clear about who remained. Standing near the cross, defying the danger of being associated with a condemned man, were the women.Matthew, Mark, and John all record the presence of these devoted followers. The Gospel of John names some of them specificallyJohn 19:25 AMP So the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, His mother’s sister [Salome], Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
They did not look away from His suffering. Matthew adds;
Matthew 27:55-56 NIV [55] Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. [56] Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
They remained present, offering their silent support and witnessing the end of His earthly life when most men had fled.
But their story of faithfulness does not end at the cross.Because they knew where He was buried, these women were the first to arrive at the tomb on Easter morning to properly anoint His body. Luke 23:50-56 NIV [50] Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, [51] who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. [52] Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. [53] Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. [54] It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. [55] The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. [56] Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Mark 16:1-3 NIV [1] When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. [2] Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb [3] and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
Their devotion led them to be the very first human beings to witness the empty tomb and, eventually, to encounter the resurrected Christ.While the men were still locked away in fear, Jesus entrusted the greatest news in human history to women.Matthew 28:1-10 NIV [1] After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. [2] There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. [4] The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. [5] The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. [6] He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” [8] So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. [9] Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (emphasis mine)
In a cultural context where a woman’s testimony was often considered legally invalid, Christ commissioned them to be the first "apostles to the Apostles." It was Mary Magdalene and her companions who ran to tell the hiding men, "He is risen!"John 20:18 NIV Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
This Women's History Month, let us recognize that the foundation of the Christian story was carried, witnessed, and proclaimed by faithful women. Their unwavering courage at the cross and their joyous testimony as the first witnesses to the resurrection demonstrate that their spiritual role was not secondary, but absolutely vital to the history we celebrate today.
In the moments that followed, with the notable exception of John, the male disciples—those who had promised to stand by Him—scattered and went into hiding to save themselves.John 19:26-27 NIV [26] When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” [27] and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (emphasis mine)
Note: While the Gospel of John never uses the name "John" for this person, John 21:24 explicitly identifies this "beloved disciple" as the author of the Gospel. Church tradition has universally identified this author as John the Apostle.
However, the biblical narrative is perfectly clear about who remained. Standing near the cross, defying the danger of being associated with a condemned man, were the women.Matthew, Mark, and John all record the presence of these devoted followers. The Gospel of John names some of them specificallyJohn 19:25 AMP So the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, His mother’s sister [Salome], Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
They did not look away from His suffering. Matthew adds;
Matthew 27:55-56 NIV [55] Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. [56] Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
They remained present, offering their silent support and witnessing the end of His earthly life when most men had fled.
But their story of faithfulness does not end at the cross.Because they knew where He was buried, these women were the first to arrive at the tomb on Easter morning to properly anoint His body. Luke 23:50-56 NIV [50] Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, [51] who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. [52] Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. [53] Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. [54] It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. [55] The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. [56] Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Mark 16:1-3 NIV [1] When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. [2] Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb [3] and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
Their devotion led them to be the very first human beings to witness the empty tomb and, eventually, to encounter the resurrected Christ.While the men were still locked away in fear, Jesus entrusted the greatest news in human history to women.Matthew 28:1-10 NIV [1] After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. [2] There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. [4] The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. [5] The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. [6] He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” [8] So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. [9] Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (emphasis mine)
In a cultural context where a woman’s testimony was often considered legally invalid, Christ commissioned them to be the first "apostles to the Apostles." It was Mary Magdalene and her companions who ran to tell the hiding men, "He is risen!"John 20:18 NIV Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
This Women's History Month, let us recognize that the foundation of the Christian story was carried, witnessed, and proclaimed by faithful women. Their unwavering courage at the cross and their joyous testimony as the first witnesses to the resurrection demonstrate that their spiritual role was not secondary, but absolutely vital to the history we celebrate today.
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