Matthew twice mentions “the other Mary.” Who is this other woman named Mary?
Since he also mentions Mary Magdalene in those verses, we know it’s not her. It’s also doubtful that he would refer to Jesus’s mother with such a vague reference. Some think she’s Mary the mother of James and Joseph, whom Matthew mentions just a few verses earlier.
A possibility is that “the other Mary” could refer to Mary the wife of Clopas, whom Matthew doesn’t mention. The same applies for Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, or she could be Mary the mother of John Mark.
It’s also possible she’s another Mary altogether.
What we do know is this Mary, along with Mary Magdalene, watches Joseph entomb Jesus. After the Sabbath they return to his grave.
Why do we bother to have all these considerations over someone we can’t identify?
“The other Mary” reminds us that sometimes we don’t receive credit for the things we do. Or that our actions may receive only a vague nod. But Jesus knows. That’s what matters.
How willing are we to serve Jesus if no one else were to know what we do?
[Discover more about this Mary in Matthew 27:61 and Matthew 28:1.]
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Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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