Bible Strands
John 19:25
Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator records the crucifixion moment, noting that several women remained near the execution site while soldiers divided Jesus’ garments.
The words — Εἱστήκεισαν (Heistēkeisan) = had been standing; παρὰ (para) = by/near. These terms establish a continuous, proximate presence at the site of execution.
The thread — This scene aligns with the witness accounts in Luke 23:49, Matthew 27:55, and Mark 15:40, which consistently note women observing the crucifixion from a distance.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge the deliberate, unflinching proximity of Jesus’ female followers to his death, contrasting their steadfast presence with the scattered or fearful reactions elsewhere.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
Cross-references
- Luke 23:49 But all those who knew Jesus, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things.
- Matthew 27:55 And many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to minister to Him.
- Mark 15:40 And there were also women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.
- John 20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
- John 20:11 But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb,
- Luke 2:35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”
- Luke 8:2 as well as some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
- Luke 24:18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?”
- Matthew 12:46 While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him.
- Mark 16:9 Early on the first day of the week, after Jesus had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons.