Something About Salome

It’s never too late to bifurcate

Mary Salome is the figure in the right-hand panel in this altarpiece of the Holy Kinship — Credit

There seems to be an overabundance of Salomes in the story of Jesus. Here is what I suspect happened.

Mark was the first Gospel, written around 70 AD.

40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. (Mar 15:40 NIV)

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. (Mar 16:1 NIV)

These are the only two places in the New Testament where the name Salome is found. Matthew reproduces the scene where the women watch the crucifixion below.

Christ is laid into a tomb — Credit

55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.
56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
(Mat 27:55–56 NIV)

Where Mark identifies three of the women present as Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome; Matthew identifies three as Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother…