Unsung Heroines-Salome

Introduction: She’s only mentioned in two verses, and only in one of the Gospels. Her deeds of love for Jesus, though, far outweigh any lack of text. Her name is Salome and she’s another unsung heroine of the Bible.

Text: Mark 15:40-41, KJV: 40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

Thoughts: Salome was one of a number of women, known and unknown, who ministered to the Lord during His earthly ministry. These women followed Jesus and the disciples and even though their deeds are not mentioned, the disciples had to be aware of these.

We don’t know if she was originally from Galilee, as many of the apostles were from there, but it’s true she and others followed Jesus while He was in Galilee. Apparently they also were part of the group following Him to Jerusalem as they were close to the place where Jesus was crucified.

Salome and the others saw Jesus die, but that wasn’t the end of the story.

Text, Mark 16:1-2, KJV: 1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and

Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun

One of the saddest things in the Crucifixion story is that few believed Jesus would actually rise from the dead. Proof of this is the fact that instead of gathering together to worship the Lord or wait for Him, they brought “sweet spices” to anoint the body of Jesus.

They still thought He was dead.

But imagine her reaction, and theirs, when they arrived at the tomb! Luke 24:1-11 tells how the women who had come to the tomb found a pair of angels instead. These two told the women, “He isn’t here—He is risen!” Salome was one of the group who immediately returned to Jerusalem itself and informed the Eleven disciples that Jesus was alive.

She and they were the first ever witnesses of the empty tomb!

You and I may never have the ability to contribute much, but Salome and others did what they could for Jesus and the disciples. So can we!

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV).