There seem to be a lot of Marys in the accounts of the Resurrection. Who are they?
—Christina Galanes, via e-mail

There were many witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection, but women were the first. Mary Magdalene is the only person who appears in all four gospel accounts. She returned to the tomb on the day after the Sabbath to find it empty. In Matthew 28, “the other Mary” accompanied her; in Mark 16 and Luke 24, Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, was with her; and in John 20, only she is mentioned. Scholars agree that “the other Mary” is the mother of James and Joseph.

Mary Magdalene was one of the inner circle of Jesus’ followers in the gospels. Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence in the gospels that she was a prostitute. Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, ministered to Jesus and gave his ministry financial support (Matthew 27.55).