The Apostolic Age · AD 4–70
Mary of Clopas
fl. c. AD 33 (death unrecorded) · Kinswoman of the Virgin · Witness of the crucifixion · Jerusalem
The Apostolic Age
Who Mary of Clopas was
Named once, in one verse, and placed as close to the cross as anyone: John lists her among the women standing by it — “his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.”
**Whether she is the sister, or a fourth woman beside her, the Greek does not settle.** John's list can be read as three women or as four, depending on whether “his mother's sister” and “Mary the wife of Cleophas” name one person or two. If one, she is the Virgin's sister; if two, her relation is unstated. The archive does not decide it, and notes that two sisters both named Mary would be unusual.
The Clopas she belongs to is very probably the Clopas this archive already holds — the father of Symeon of Jerusalem, second bishop of the city, whom Hegesippus calls the Lord's cousin. That would make her Symeon's mother and place her in the family that led the Jerusalem church after James. **The archive states the relation as the sources give it — by her husband's name — and does not build the genealogy out further.**
She is frequently identified with Mary the mother of James and Joses; both are held here as separate figures with the identification recorded.
John 19:25 only, where she stands at the cross; the Synoptics name women at the same place but not this one, and no source within the horizon distinguishes her again.
Also listed in women.
Common questions
When was Mary active?
Mary of Clopas is dated fl. c. AD 33 (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Mary in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Mary?
Mary of Clopas is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from John. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Mary from?
The archive associates Mary of Clopas with Jerusalem.
Who were Mary’s contemporaries?
The archive links Mary of Clopas to 5 other figures, including Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary, mother of James and Joses and Clopas (Cleopas?). Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Scripture record
Primary-source mentions (1)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
John 19:25
c. AD 33Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.John · read ↗
Names proposed by later tradition
Mary of Clopas = Mary the mother of James and Joses
A frequent identification, not stated by any evangelist. Recorded on both pages, adopted on neither.
Mary of Clopas = the Virgin’s sister
Depends on whether John 19:25 lists three women or four — whether “his mother’s sister” and “Mary the wife of Cleophas” name one person or two. The Greek does not settle it, and two sisters both named Mary would be unusual.
Connected in the archive
People
- Mary, the Mother of Jesus
- Mary Magdalene
- Mary, mother of James and Joses
- Clopas (Cleopas?)
- Symeon, son of Clopas
Events in this lifetime
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Mary.