{Were standing by the cross of Jesus} (hist(886b)eisan para
t(9369) staur(9369) tou I(8873)ou). Perfect of hist(886d)i, to place, used as
imperfect (intransitive) with para (beside) and the locative
case. Vivid contrast this to the rude gambling of the soldiers.
This group of four (or three) women interests us more. Matt. ( Mt
27:55f. ) spoke of women beholding from afar and names three
(Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses,
and the mother of the sons of Zebedee). Mark also ( Mr 15:40 )
names three (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the less
and of Joses, and Salome). They have clearly drawn near the Cross
by now. John alone mentions the mother of Jesus in the group. It
is not clear whether the sister of the mother of Jesus is Salome
the mother of the sons of Zebedee or the wife of Clopas. If so,
two sisters have the name Mary and James and John are cousins of
Jesus. The point cannot be settled with our present knowledge.