Matthew and Mark: Women of Galilee (Matt. xxvii, 55; Mark xv, 40, 41). Luke: "Daughters of Jerusalem," that is, women of Judea (xxiii, 28). 381 Where were Mary Magdalene and her companions during the crucifixion? Matthew and Mark: "Looking on afar off" (Mark xv, 40; Matt. xxvii, 55, 56). John: They "stood by the cross" (xix, 25). 382 Was Mary, the mother of Jesus, present? John: She was (xix, 25). Synoptics: She was not. The Synoptics do not expressly state that she was absent, but if she was present, as John affirms, is it possible that they would ignore the fact when they mention "the strolling Magdalene" no less than seven times? 383 Who stood by the cross with the mother of Jesus? John: "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary, the wife of Cleophas" (xix, 25). Mary must have been a very popular name to be given to two daughters of the same family. It is not probable that these sisters were both named Mary. John never mentions the name of Jesus' mother, and it is evident that he did not suppose her name was Mary. Were John the only Gospel, Christians would be ignorant of the Virgin's name. Mariolatry did not originate in the Johannine church. 384 To whom was entrusted the care of Jesus' mother? John: "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved [John], he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own house" (xix, 26, 27). "The teacher who had been to him as a brother leaves to him a brother's duty. He is to be as a son to the mother who is left desolate."--Bible Dictionary. Very touchingly expressed. But why was this duty imposed upon John when the Apostle James (the Less) was a brother of Jesus and a son of Mary? Was he a worthless ingrate, unable and unwilling to care for her? And what of Joses, and Juda, and Simon, and her daughters who remained at home? Had they turned their mother out of doors? 385 In whose sepulcher was the body of Jesus placed? Matthew: Joseph "laid it in his own new tomb which he had hewn out in the rock" (xxvii, 60). John: "Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jew's preparation day; for the sepulcher was nigh at hand" (xix, 41, 42). It is evident from John that the sepulcher did not belong to Joseph, but that it was one which happened to be convenient to the place of crucifixion; for, as Strauss justly argues: "The vicinity of the grave, when alleged as a motive, excludes the fact of possession." 386 Was his body embalmed when it was laid in the sepulcher?