Was Mary there for Jesus' crucifixion?

Answer 1

AnswerThe answer depends on which gospel you use as a reference.

Mark's Gospel, followed by Matthew and Luke, say that Mary watched from a safe distance, well away from the crucifixion.

John's Gospel says that Mary stood at the foot of the cross with 'the disciple whom Jesus loved'.

Answer 2

AnswerAll the gospels agree that Mary was in Jerusalem at the time of the crucifixion. Where they differ is in whether Mary stood afar off or at the foot of the cross.

The earliest of the gospels, The Gospel According to St Mark, says that women looked from afar off: among them, Mary. The Gospel According to St Matthew also says that women looked from afar off: among them, Mary and Mary Magdalene. The Gospel According to St Luke says that those of his acquaintance stood afar off with the women.

The Gospel According to St John says that the mother of Jesus, her sister (also called Mary) and Mary Magdalene stood by the cross with the disciple whom he loved.

Catholic Answer:

As per John 19:25

"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary [the wife] of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene."

Most Catholic scholars agree that Mary of Clopas was a sister in law of Mary and Clopas (or Cleophas) was the brother of Saint Joseph.

Answer 3

In the synoptic gospels, Mary Magdalene was definitely not at the crucifixion. 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."

In John's Gospel, Mary Magdalene was definitely at the crucifixion. 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."