The Cairo Debate — Page 56
on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him; among whom were Mary Mag'dalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee. " (Mt. 27 55 56). . John makes them "standing by the cross" and the synoptic Gospels have it "stood at a distance and saw". Only John is aware of Jesus mother being present. The synoptic Gospels are not in the know. John spots Mary Mag'dalene near by the cross. Synoptic Gospels place her far off. . There is a world of difference between the two reports. There is a difference of numerical order of the women-3 or 4 or several women? (7) Did darkness engulf the whole world? "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. " (Mt. 27:45). "And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. " (Mk. 15: 33). "It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. " (Lk 23: 44). . This is the evidence of the synoptic Gospels. . John is non-committal and his silence stirs bewilderment. It is illogical that John who is given to exaggeration should keep silent about such a grand miracle. Who told the three simpletons that the 56