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Scripture Central

The Women of Easter I Come Follow Me I Handmaidens, Harems and Heroines I Lynne Hilton Wilson

Scripture Central

Scripture Central

Religion & Spirituality

4.7 • 914 Ratings

🗓️ 23 March 2026

⏱️ 28 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

As the Savior’s mortal ministry draws to its sacred climax, the New Testament highlights a devoted group of women whose faith and service quietly shape the final hours of Jesus Christ’s life. In the days leading up to the Crucifixion, women appear as faithful disciples who minister with courage and devotion. The Gospels describe a woman in Bethany—identified as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus—who anoints Jesus with precious ointment, symbolically preparing Him for His burial and demonstrating profound spiritual insight. Other faithful women, including Mary the mother of Jesus and Martha of Bethany, had long served the Savior and supported His ministry. Their acts of hospitality, discipleship, and devotion reflect a pattern of covenant service—women who recognized the Savior and responded with love, generosity, and spiritual sensitivity. At the time of the Crucifixion, when many others had fled in fear, several faithful women remained near the cross, becoming eyewitnesses of the Savior’s sacrifice. Among them were Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Salome, along with other devoted disciples who had followed Him from Galilee and ministered to His needs. Their presence reflects remarkable courage and loyalty as they comfort one another and remain close to the Lord in His final mortal moments. These women would later play crucial roles in the sacred events surrounding His burial and Resurrection, preparing spices and returning to the tomb in loving service. From the preparation of the Last Supper to the sorrowful vigil at Golgotha, the women of the New Testament stand as powerful witnesses of Christ—models of faithful discipleship who served, mourned, and ultimately rejoiced in the triumph of their risen Redeemer.

Transcript

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0:00.0

As the crowds come up to greet him and as he waits for the donkey, the women are part of this crowd,

0:06.2

which makes me so happy to read about that all the people running up the hill included many different ages and genders.

0:14.0

Hosanna! Hosanna! This is extremely countercultural. These women are breaking the cultural norm. They are not going with the flow.

0:23.6

They are not following the prescribed cultural definitions of the phariseic lifestyle, where a woman should remain indoors, never speak to a man, and never become educated.

0:35.6

And he is calling these women to not only witness, but to testify.

0:40.9

And these women have the spirit of prophecy.

0:43.4

And the Lord then calls the women throughout the rest of the New Testament to be his...

0:52.4

Hello, and a blessed Easter to you. I'm Lynn Hilton Wilson, part of the Scripture Central

0:58.0

team that tries to build enduring faith in Jesus Christ. And what a better time of year to talk

1:05.5

about that than this holy, holy week of our Savior's last week of life and his resurrection.

1:12.3

I am thrilled, too, to be looking at the people in the Easter story who are handmaidens

1:18.2

and heroines.

1:19.9

I am thrilled to be able to look at Martha of Bethany and Mary of Bethany, Mary of

1:25.9

Nazareth in her later years, Jesus's aunt, Mary's sister,

1:31.6

Mary of Magdalah, Mary of Cleopus, Mary the mother of James and Josie, Mary the other Mary

1:38.6

Salome, mother of James and John and spouse of Zebedee, as well as many other women from Galilee.

1:46.5

Now, if you counted that up,

1:47.6

we've got enough Mary's that really,

1:49.0

you only have to remember three women's names,

1:51.8

Martha, Salome and Auntie.

1:55.4

And that's, I know she's an unnamed person,

1:57.4

but I just love the fact that Jesus' aunt is there as well as we read in John's

...

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