Follower of Jesus, witness to the crucifixion and empty tomb
Salome
One of the women who followed and financially supported Jesus's ministry, present at the crucifixion and among the first to find the tomb empty; often identified as the mother of James and John.
Life and work
Salome is named by Mark among the women who followed Jesus in Galilee, ministered to him, watched his crucifixion from a distance, and came to the tomb on Easter morning to anoint his body, only to find it empty (Mark 15:40, 16:1). Comparing Mark's list of women at the cross with Matthew's parallel account — which names "the mother of Zebedee's sons" in the same position — many scholars identify Salome as the wife of Zebedee and mother of the apostles James and John, though the Gospels never state this outright, so it remains a well-founded inference rather than a certainty. This Salome should not be confused with the unnamed daughter of Herodias who danced for Herod Antipas and requested John the Baptist's head (Matthew 14, Mark 6) — that dancer is never named in the Gospels themselves and is only identified as "Salome" by the first-century historian Josephus.
Extra-biblical evidence
No extra-biblical record of this Salome survives outside the Gospels.
Scripture references
- Mark 15:40 — Present at the crucifixion
- Mark 16:1 — Comes to the tomb with spices
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