The Devout Women

S. Mark xvi. 1–8

When the stone was rolled to the door of the sepulchre, and Joseph and Nicodemus went their way, two at least of the devout women remained watching. How long they kept their holy vigil we are not told; neither is the least record given, of what it would be so interesting to know, in what way the Sabbath that followed that terrible day was spent by those heart-broken mourners. Knowing as we do, how the holiest men and women have found comfort in the services of the Sanctuary, when their hearts have been burdened with grief, we can feel almost sure that they went to the Temple at the appointed hours. If so, the sight that met their gaze as they entered must have inspired them with fresh awe, for full in view before the throng of worshippers was the great curtain of the Holy Place, rent in twain from the ceiling to the pavement. They would go back to their homes only to ponder in yet deeper amazement on all that had happened.

As soon as the Sabbath was over, after the sun had set, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, went out to buy spices for a further embalming of the Sacred Body. In the haste of the burial, though everything no doubt was done with reverence, much was left which the tender ministries of women could alone supply, and they hastened to fulfil their hallowed task. It would seem from a comparison of the several accounts that there were two companies; possibly those from Jerusalem in the one, those who had their home at the more distant Bethany in the other. They all set out, no doubt by pre-arrangement, in the morning watch, and the first to arrive at the sepulchre was Mary Magdalene. In her passionate impatience to see once more the Form of Him, to Whom she owed so much, she outstripped her companions. The first glimpse of the sacred spot was enough; it was still dark, but she could see “the stone taken away from the sepulchre,” and without waiting to examine, she hastened to the conclusion that the Body must have been removed by violence, and ran back to Jerusalem to tell her apprehensions to S. Peter and S. John, under whose roof the Blessed Mother had found a home.

Meanwhile the women whom she had left drew near to the place. They had not thought of any obstacles to impede them in the execution of their pious errand; they had not heard that the Jews had placed a sentry over the tomb; but suddenly a difficulty occurred to one of them, and it was taken up by all, and formed a subject of anxious conversation. They had seen the force that was required when Joseph and his servants 4 had rolled the “great stone” to the entrance; and they were oppressed with fear, lest after all, their wishes might be frustrated. But immediately the sun rose, and they saw to their amazement that the stone had been already rolled back from its place.

The description of their perplexity, so life-like and true to nature, is given by S. Mark alone. It is another of the beautiful little touches that lend such grace to the Gospel that is fullest of human affections and feeling.

As soon as they entered the sepulchre they found that their Lord was risen. At what precise moment He burst the bands of death we cannot say; it was doubtless simultaneously with “the great earthquake” (which they must have felt as they drew near), for, as Nature had been moved when her Lord laid down His life, so would she manifest her recognition when He willed to take it again.

But the fact of the Resurrection was declared to them by a messenger from heaven. Angels had proclaimed His birth: had appeared to Mary and Joseph and the shepherds: had ministered to Him in the wilderness: had strengthened Him in Gethsemane; and they came now to assure His followers of the Resurrection, as they did forty days later, after He had ascended, to promise His reappearance at the final consummation. The stone had been rolled away, not for the Lord to come forth, for He, Who needed not that doors should be unlocked or gates thrown open for His admission, could be held back by no material barrier; but the angel had down come to give the women an entrance into His tomb, and to deliver His message.

And this was the glad tidings: “Tell His disciples and Peter that He goeth before you into Galilee: thei,e shall ye see Him, as He said unto you.” It was a deeply significant word that the angel used — “goeth before you.” In fulfilment of prophecy, He Himself had been smitten, and His flock had been scattered, like sheep not having a shepherd. As soon as the armed multitude had closed around Him at the gates of Gethsemane, terror had seized them, as when a wolf cometh, and they “all forsook Him and fled;” but He would gather His Own together again, and they should know His voice and follow Him, and be one flock once more.

We wonder, perhaps, why this should be singled out for a special announcement from all His intended appearances, and why Galilee should have been selected for the scene of the manifestation. It was not only because it was to be in the presence of the whole company of believers, witnessed “by above five hundred brethren at once;” but far more, perhaps, in view of His intention there to commie to them in their Apostolic brotherhood His solemn charge, and assure them of His abiding Presence.

And why was Galilee to be thus favoured above Judaea and Jerusalem? It was Galilee of the Gentiles; and the commission they were to receive was not for Jews only, but for Gentiles — for every nation and people and tongue. It was fitting, therefore, that the meeting-place — the very soil that they trod — should lend force to the comprehensiveness of the message: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

For what reason, again, was S. Peter chosen to be an individual recipient of the glad tidings? The selection is recorded in this Gospel alone, and its mention is due, no doubt, to the Apostle himself, to whom it was of such vital moment.

There is something exceedingly touching in the addition. Jesus knew well that the piercing look which He had cast upon S. Peter as he crossed His path in the High Priest’s court had left him crushed beneath the weight of his terrible sin. He knew, too, how he would be filled with a sense of utter unworthiness, and might think himself excluded for ever from the Apostolic company. And this was an anticipation of the assurance He had in store for him of complete forgiveness, and of restitution to his forfeited office.

It was doubtless out of the same longing to deliver His disciple from this crushing despair that He was unable to wait for the promised meeting in Galilee, and, as we are told, before the sun had set on that very day He “appeared unto Simon.” What passed between them has not been revealed, but it needs no prophet’s skill to divine at least the import of the Redeemer’s words: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

The account of the devout women concludes with their instantaneous departure to fulfil the behest: “They went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre.” All that they had seen and heard filled them with amazement, and sealed their lips to all whom they met on their way to the city, “neither said they any thing to any man, for they were afraid;” but when they found the disciples, they told the glad tidings with exclamations of joy. But what a disappointment awaited them! Their words seemed but “as idle tales, and they believed them not.”

It is a reflection full of sadness that all alike were so “slow of heart to believe” what Jesus had told them of the resurrection. The devout women seem never to have thought of it; there is not the slightest hint, not the very faintest presentiment, that they expected His words to come true, and that even without their ointment and spices His Body would see no corruption.

The Apostles received message after message to assure them that He was alive and had been seen; but it was not till they had touched Him standing in their midst, and had been assured by the manifestation of His wounds, till He had with His Own voice upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, that they were fully convinced. It is indeed sad that it should have been reserved for enemies alone to recall His forgotten promise, “After three days I will rise again.”

Note: “Had Dought” in the A.V. is misleading. It is the aorist, Tjybpaaav, not the pluperfect. If they remained till after sunset on Friday watching by the tomb, they could have had no opportunity before this of making their purchase. Some, it is said, did prepare their spices on Friday evening, but not these. S. Luke xxiii. 56.

Note: Though Christian Art has commonly represented the women as taking part in the Burial, there is no authority for it in Scripture. The men buried our Lord, the women sat over-against the sepulchre and beheld where He was laid.

Note: The imperfect tense implies that it was a subject of continued talk and anxiety.

Note: There is no mention of these; but as Joseph’s house was close by, and it was impossible for him to do it without help, they would naturally be called.

Note: Nowhere else but in Galilee could such a large body of believers be gathered together.

Note: c LXXIX ^Ijrce #ppeauance<3 on tlje 2Dap of tfje