Episode 1130: St Mary of Cleophas

St. Mary of Cleophas, also known as Mary Clopas or Mary the wife of Clopas, is a figure mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible. She is believed to be one of the women who witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and who later visited his tomb.

Information about Mary of Cleophas is primarily derived from the Gospels, particularly in the accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. In the Gospel of John (19:25), she is referred to as one of the women standing near the cross of Jesus, along with Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew (27:56) and Mark (15:40) also mention a Mary among the women who observed the crucifixion from a distance.

Mary of Cleophas is often identified with Mary, the mother of James the Less and Joseph in the Gospel of Mark (15:40) and Matthew (27:56), and with Mary, the mother of James, in the Gospel of Luke (24:10). These identifications suggest that she was married to a man named Clopas or Cleophas.

According to tradition, Mary of Cleophas was the sister-in-law of the Virgin Mary, making her either a sister of Saint Joseph or a sister of Mary. This tradition stems from the belief that Mary of Cleophas was present at the foot of the cross alongside the Virgin Mary.

After Jesus' death, Mary of Cleophas is said to have accompanied the other women to Jesus' tomb on the morning of the resurrection. According to the Gospels, they discovered that the tomb was empty, and they encountered angels who told them that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Beyond the accounts in the Bible, not much is known about the life of Mary of Cleophas. Early Christian tradition and later legends suggest that she played a role in the early Christian community, possibly in Jerusalem. Some traditions also suggest that she was martyred for her Christian faith, but historical evidence for these claims is scarce.

Mary of Cleophas holds a revered place in Christian tradition as one of the faithful women who followed and supported Jesus during his ministry and who bore witness to the pivotal events of his crucifixion and resurrection. Though her life story remains somewhat obscure, her presence in the Gospel narratives highlights the important role that women played in the early Christian movement.