four : viz, (1) Mary, the mother of Jesus. (2) The sister of our Lord's mother : i.e., Salome, the mother of John, who wrote this Gospel. (3) Mary, the wife of Alpheus and mother of two Apostles. (4) Mary Magdalene.
The reader must decide for himself. The question happily is not one affecting our salvation. For myself I must frankly declare my belief that the second view is the right one, and that there were four women, and not three only, at the foot of the cross. The objection that the word " and " is omitted be- fore " Mary the wife of Cleophas" is worthless. In almost ev- ery catalogue of the Apostles the same omission may be noticed. (See Acts i. 13 ; Matt. x. 2 ; Luke vi. 14.)
Whether all Christian women should always come forward and put themselves in such public and prominent positions as these holy w^omen took up, is a grave question, about which each Christian woman must judge for herself. Considerations of physical strength and nervous self-command must not be overlooked. The four women who stood by the cross neither fainted nor went into hysterics, but were self-controlled, and calm. Let every one be persuaded in their own minds. Some women can do what others cannot.
Why the fierce enemies of our Lord among the Jews, and the rough Roman soldiers, permitted these holy women to stand un- disturbed by the cross, is a question we have no means of de- ciding. Possibly the Romans may have thought it only fair and reasonable to let a criminal's relatives and friends stand by him, when he could do the State no more harm, and they could not rescue him from death. Possibly the centurion who super- intended the execution, may have felt some pity for the little weeping company of weak women. Who can tell but his kind- ness was a cup of cold water Avhich was repaid him a hundred- fold? He said before the day ended, " Truly this was the Son of God." (Matt, xxvii. 54.) Possibly John's acquaintance with the high priest, already mentioned, may have procured him and his companions some favor. All these, however, are only conjectures, and we cannot settle the point.
The Greek word rendered " stood " is literally " had stood." Does not this mean from the beginning of the crucifixion ?
26, 27.— [ When Jesus therefore saw His Mother, etc.] The incident recorded in these two verses is wonderfully touching and af- fecting. Even in this trying season of bodily and mental ago- ny, our blessed Lord did not forget others. — He had not forgot- ten His brutal murderers ; but had prayed for them : " Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." — He had not forgotten His fellow- sufferers by His side. When one of the crucified malefactors cried to him, " Lord, remember me," He had at once answered him, and promised him a speedy entrance into Paradise. — And now He did not forget His mother. He saw her standing by the cross, and knew well her distress, and felt