NEW TESTAMENT CHARACTERS

MARY’S SISTER (and Brother-in-law).
Four women stood by the cross. One was Mary, Jesus’ mother. One was Mary Magdalene. One was Mary Cleophas the mother of two lesser known apostles James and Joses.

The fourth is described by Matthew as “The mother of Zebedee’s children.”

Mark names her as Salome (not to be confused with Herod’s infamous stepdaughter of the same name).

John states that standing by the cross were, “His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary Cleophas and Mary Magdalene.”

Putting the accounts together we have a probable conclusion that Mary had a sister Salome who was married to Zebedee and was the mother of the apostles James and John.

If Mary’s sister was indeed Salome Zebedee, mother of James and John, a number of other incidents and relationships fall into place.

At the cross, Jesus entrusted his mother’s care to John - John being already her nephew and John’s own mother being present. Mary at the cross had the support of her sister and it was mother and son Salome and John who took Mary home afterwards. The three are missing from those named as present at the burial. Nor were Mary and John at the tomb on Easter morning, although Salome went there with the other women.

Looking back to the earlier occasion when the mother of James and John appears, it was she who came to Jesus with the request that her sons be given places of honour in His kingdom - seats on His right and His left (Matthew 20:20-28 Mark 10:35-45).

If they were His cousins, this request suddenly appears in its true light. Jesus’ own brother’s had not, at that time, joined His following. Among the disciples, His next nearest relatives were His cousins. Salome was not claiming that her sons were the best of His followers, merely the only ones with family connection.

Zebedee had a well-established fishing business and like carpenters, fishermen were respected as being highly skilled. Although not rich they were certainly not poor. The firm had two boats and five partners - Zebedee and his two sons and the brothers Peter and Andrew. Apparently Zebedee had, or obtained, other workers when Jesus called both his sons and both his other partners to work with Him full time.

Salome did not travel around with Jesus and His disciples but joined them on occasions such as Passover. We assume Zebedee stayed at home and coped. Certainly the fishing boats were still available and were lent to Jesus on occasions, later used by the apostles after the resurrection.