Women at the Cross: Why Jesus' Female Followers Hold a Powerful Role in Salvation History

The women at the Cross are so important to salvation history that Mark’s Gospel is not the only one to highlight the presence of Jesus’ faithful female followers.

All four Gospels, as well as the Stations of the Cross, emphasize the presence of women during Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection because the existence of these women matter—they were the primary witnesses of these events.

While we can know little of their personal lives, their actions speak volumes about their fidelity.

A Guide to the Women at the Crucifixion

When all others abandoned Jesus, the presence of his faithful female disciples would have been the primary source of support extended to him during his Passion.

They were there for him despite the danger. They were there for him despite the emotional agony it must have caused them. Can you imagine actually witnessing Jesus’ Passion and crucifixion?

It must have been heart-wrenching, yet these women were there because they loved him.

Out of gratitude for all he had done for them—the ways he ministered to them and healed them both physically and spiritually—they used their feminine genius gift of fidelity to remain by his side.