382
Was Mary, the mother of Jesus, present?
John: She was ([xix, 25]).
Synoptics: She was not.
The Synoptics do not expressly state that she was absent, but if she was present, as John affirms, is it possible that they would ignore the fact when they mention “the strolling Magdalene” no less than seven times?
383
Who stood by the cross with the mother of Jesus?
John: “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Cleophas” ([xix, 25]).