In brief
Mary, wife of Clopas, is a disciple of Jesus present near the cross, with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene, according to John 19:25. It is the only verse that names her this way. Many identify her with Mary, mother of James and Joses, whom Matthew and Mark place at the cross, at the tomb and on Easter morning, but the gospels do not say so explicitly. We remember the faithfulness of women who stayed to the end.
What does the name Mary Wife of Clopas mean?
Mary is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Miriam, whose meaning is debated. She is identified by the name of her husband, Clopas, of whom nothing else is known. The Bible does not say whether this Clopas is the Cleopas of Emmaus (Luke 24:18).
The story of Mary Wife of Clopas
Women who served Jesus
Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40-41Matthew and Mark speak of women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to serve him and who watched the crucifixion from afar. Among them is Mary, mother of James and Joses. Many think this is Mary, wife of Clopas, but the gospels themselves do not make that connection.
Near the cross
John 19:25John writes: “But standing by Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” While most of the disciples have fled, Mary, wife of Clopas, remains there, at the most painful moment. This is the only passage in the Bible that names her this way.
Witness of Jesus' words to Mary and John
John 19:26-27Standing by the cross, Mary, wife of Clopas, is beside the mother of Jesus when Jesus sees his mother and the disciple whom he loved. He says to his mother: “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he says to the disciple: “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple takes her to his own home.
Before the tomb
Mark 15:47; Matthew 27:61After Jesus dies, Joseph of Arimathea lays the body in a tomb. Mark specifies that Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, watch where he is laid. Matthew shows them sitting opposite the tomb and calls this second woman “the other Mary.” If she is indeed the wife of Clopas, she remains faithful through the burial.
On the morning of the resurrection
Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb with “the other Mary,” according to Matthew, or with Mary, mother of James, and Salome, according to Mark. An angel tells them that Jesus has risen and sends them to the disciples. According to Matthew, Jesus himself meets them, and they bow down before him.
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What Mary Wife of Clopas teaches us
- Faithfulness shows in dark hours, when staying costs more than leaving.
- God notices discreet disciples, even those about whom the Bible says almost nothing.
- Being present with those who suffer is already a service rendered to the Lord.
- Those who stay near the cross are also the first to receive the news of the resurrection.
- It is wise to distinguish what the Bible states from what tradition supposes.
Key verses
The only verse that names Mary, wife of Clopas. She stands near the cross with the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, while many have fled.
Many women were watching the crucifixion from afar; they had accompanied Jesus from Galilee to serve him. Their quiet faithfulness runs through the whole story of the Passion.
The angel tells the women who came to the tomb not to be afraid: Jesus who was crucified is not here, he has risen, just as he said.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Mary, wife of Clopas?
She is one of the women who stood near the cross of Jesus, with his mother and Mary Magdalene (John 19:25). The Bible says almost nothing else about her. Many identify her with Mary, mother of James and Joses, mentioned by Matthew and Mark, but the text does not state this link.
Was Mary, wife of Clopas, the sister of Jesus' mother?
John 19:25 mentions “his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” This verse can be read as a list of three or of four women. The Bible therefore does not allow us to say with certainty that Mary, wife of Clopas, was the sister of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Where can I find the story of Mary, wife of Clopas, in the Bible?
She is named only in John 19:25. If we identify her with Mary, mother of James and Joses, or with “the other Mary,” we can also read Matthew 27:55-61, Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 15:40-47 and Mark 16:1-8.