The Three Marys

The Three Marys

By Josef Simmler

“Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him... And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away... And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here.”

Mark 16:1-6

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Alfred Edersheim painted the scene of that first Easter morning, writing, “Grey dawn was streaking the sky, when they who had so lovingly watched Him to His Burying were making their lonely way to the rock-hewn Tomb in the Garden.” Matthew Poole tells us why they came — simply, “intending to show their last act of love to their friend by embalming his body.” They did not yet know it was Easter, and that Christ had risen. They only knew they loved Him, and love had one more thing it wished to do.

From earliest Christian memory, these women, who tradition has dubbed the Three Marys, have stood as a reproach to the timid and a model for the faithful. J. Reuben Clark observed, “From the beginning the women of the Christian church have shown their surpassing faith and devotion. Only one Apostle stood near the Cross while the Christ was crucified, but Mary, the mother, was there, and Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James and Joses.” John Chrysostom put it even more pointedly: “The apostles did not believe the testimony of women, and yet it was to women that Christ first appeared… the faith of women was greater than that of men.” Charles Spurgeon saw a divine fitness in these women being the first to witness the resurrection: “A woman let it be, for woman was last at the cross, and last at the sepulchre; let her be earliest to return. The Marys embalmed the Saviour, and put him into the tomb; let one of their company be selected to be the first to see him.” 

Matthew Henry draws out the lesson for us. Noting that the women came early, “while it was yet dark,” he wrote, “Those who would seek Christ so as to find him must seek him early. Those that diligently enquire after Christ while it is yet dark shall have such light given them concerning him as shall shine more and more. Surprising comforts are the frequent encouragements of early seekers. Those that are most constant in their adherence to Christ, and most diligent in their enquiries after him, have commonly the first and sweetest notices of the divine grace.” Regarding the description in Matthew 28:8 that these women “departed with fear and great joy,” Henry wrote “a strange mixture, fear and joy at the same time, in the same soul. To hear that Christ was risen, was matter of joy; but to be led into his grave, and to see an angel, and talk with him about it, could not but cause fear. It was good news, but they were afraid that it was too good to be true. It is said of their joy, it was great joy; it is not said so of their fear. Holy fear has joy attending it. It is only perfect love and joy that will cast out all fear.”

Camille Fronk Olson asks the question so many have asked — why Mary? And why these women? — and answers it beautifully: “We could just as easily ask, Why not? We do not need a unique calling, title, or relationship with the Savior different from that of any other disciple to receive a spiritual witness. We need a broken heart, faith in him, and an opportunity for him to teach us.” May we, like these faithful women, seek out the Lord early and stay and be filled.

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