Devine Scripture

Matthew 27:55

What does Matthew 27:55 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 27:55 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 27:55 means

Many women watched from a distance, having followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered to him. Their faithful presence at the cross displays loyal discipleship even amid danger and shame. They are witnesses to the passion and will later become central to the resurrection testimony. Their role counters the male abandonment earlier in the narrative; these women, often dismissed socially, provide enduring loyalty. Matthew highlights their service and devotion, showing how true discipleship sometimes means standing at a distance when direct involvement is dangerous.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And many women were there beholding from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And many women were there beholding from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a number of women were there, watching from a distance, who had come with Jesus from Galilee, waiting on his needs.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And there were there many women beholding from afar, who did follow Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there were there many women afar off, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there were there many women beholding from afar off, who had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to him,

Context

This verse follows the centurion’s confession (v. 54) and introduces the faithful female followers who remained near the crucifixion. Matthew names their presence before recounting specific women among them (v. 56) and later Joseph of Arimathea’s burial actions (vv. 57–60). Their witness ties the passion to the community of followers.

v.54Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

v.55This passage

v.56among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 23:48

    And all the multitudes that came together to this sight, when they beheld the things that were done, returned smiting their breasts.

  • John 19:25

    These things therefore the soldiers did. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

  • Luke 23:27

    And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him.

  • Luke 8:2

    and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,

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