Common misinterpretations include conflating Mary Magdalene with the sinful woman of Luke 7 or Mary the mother of Jesus, diminishing her as merely repentant rather than a key disciple healed of demons; confusing Mary mother of James and Joses with other Marys, overlooking her as wife of Clopas and sister-in-law to Jesus mother; or assuming the mother of Zebedees sons sought selfish status for her sons earlier, portraying her negatively instead of recognizing her devotion; additionally, some view their distant watching as cowardice rather than prudent observation amid hostility, ignoring their bravery in testifying to the events.
Matthew 27:56
King James Version (1769)
56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
Matthew 27:56 identifies three devoted women witnesses at Jesus' crucifixion from a distance: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees sons, highlighting their faithfulness amid the disciples abandonment and their role in the resurrection narrative as they later report the empty tomb, underscoring themes of loyalty, witness, and the vital presence of women in the Gospel story.