Why did Mary Magdalene and Mary observe where Jesus was laid to rest? Setting the Scene in Mark 15:47 “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where His body was laid.” • Joseph of Arimathea had just placed Jesus in his own new tomb (Mark 15:43-46). • The Sabbath was about to begin, limiting any further preparation (Luke 23:54). • The two women lingered, watching every step of the burial. Key Reasons They Watched the Burial • Devotion that refused to leave Jesus, even in death (cf. John 19:25). • Practical need to locate the exact tomb so they could return with spices after the Sabbath (Mark 16:1; Luke 23:55-56). • Personal confirmation that Jesus was truly dead, guarding against later doubt or rumor (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). • To serve as credible, eye-witnesses—“a matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15). • Fulfillment of prophecy: Isaiah 53:9 foretold His burial with a rich man; their presence records that fulfillment. • Quiet courage: remaining near a Roman-sealed, guarded tomb risked association with a condemned “insurrectionist.” Prophetic Parallels and Fulfillment • Isaiah 53:9—“He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but He was with the rich in His death.” Joseph’s tomb meets that description; the women verify it. • Psalm 16:10—“You will not abandon My soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.” Their intention to anoint the body highlights the anticipation of decay that God would soon overturn. Faithful Witnesses for the Resurrection • Because they knew the precise tomb, the empty tomb on Sunday could not be dismissed as a navigational mistake (Mark 16:5-6). • Their eyewitness testimony anchors apostolic preaching: “He was buried…He was raised on the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:4). • God chose consistent, humble servants—first at the cross (Mark 15:40), then at the tomb, and finally as heralds of the resurrection (John 20:18). Takeaway Truths for Today • Love clings to Christ when convenience and crowds disappear. • God honors quiet, attentive faith; small acts (watching, noting a tomb) become pillars of redemptive history. • The Gospel rests on verifiable facts—death, burial, resurrection—recorded by trustworthy witnesses. • Waiting in obedience (Sabbath rest) positions believers to witness God’s greatest acts on His timetable. |
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