Beyond the Tomb: Women in the Easter Story and Beyond

Each Easter we tell and retell the story of the cross and the empty tomb with all its drama, pain, hope, and ultimate victory. As we tell “the old, old story of Jesus and his love” (as the poet and hymnist Kate Hankey penned in the mid-19th century), we often highlight the presence of the women at the tomb on the morning of the resurrection. While it is right to draw our focus on these remarkable encounters, we may overlook a deeper truth: women were woven into the gospel story long before and long after that morning encounter with the risen Jesus. We cannot relegate them to the margins of our biblical narrative or reduce them to a mere footnote in the story.

Long before the empty tomb, women were there. If we take a step back and look at the full arc of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and to his continuing work through the Holy Spirit, we see women following Jesus. Funding his ministry. Bearing witness to his message of redemption. Finding wholeness and healing. Being entrusted to share the truth of God’s salvation. That women are part of the Easter story, then, is not an afterthought, but a powerful reminder that women have always been involved in the outworking of the good news of Jesus. For years, one of my favourite reflections on the life of Jesus has been Rien Poortvliet’s beautifully illustrated book Hij was een van ons (He Was One of Us). What is striking to me is how Poortvliet portrays the people, especially the women, around Jesus — not as distant or disinterested figures, but as vital, fully human characters: labouring, grieving, pleading, worshipping, celebrating. His images offer a powerful visual reminder of the gospel truth that women were not peripheral to Jesus’ story — they were central. As we meet Jesus in the gospels, women are there from the start to the end. Early on we encounter the faith of his mother, Mary, and cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-55) and of the hopeful expectation of the prophet Anna (Luke 2:36-38). Then, during Jesus’ public ministry, we notice that Jesus engages women in theological conversations, welcomes their discipleship, and treats women with dignity and compassion. The Samaritan woman at the well is an early evangelist (John 4), the old and the young find healing and new life (Mark 5:40-56), Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna bankroll Jesus’ ministry (Luke 8:1-3), the Canaanite woman is commended for her faith (Matthew 15:28), a widow with two copper coins is upheld as a generous giver (Luke 21:1-3), Martha declares that Jesus is the Messiah (John 11:27), and her sister Mary sits as a disciple at his feet (Luke 10:39).  Women follow and women shape his ministry. Women are not bystanders. They are co-workers in the kingdom and equal recipients of God’s grace. They are gifted and capable. Of course, they are also human and so we see glimpses of their weaknesses, doubts, failings, and fears. So, while it may be easy to miss the detail, there is no denying that women were both involved in and impacted by Jesus’ ministry. As we consider the presence of women in the life of Jesus, it should come as no surprise then that they are also present in the Easter story. The gospels remind us that women were there gathered with the disciples. They were watching, grieving, preparing, waiting, witnessing. The four gospel writers all mention the women at the empty tomb (Matthew 28:1-11, Mark 16:1-13, Luke 24:1-10, John 20:1-18).  The women in the Easter story are not an add-on, minor actors with a few moments on the side of the main stage. They are central, counter-cultural, courageous, prophetic, faithful.  In a world that often side-lines women, Easter reminds us that God never does. The story, of course, doesn’t end on that Easter morning. As we continue reading, we see women continuing to have a vital role to play in the early church.  We read about Phoebe, a deacon and trusted messenger (Romans 16:1–2); Priscilla, a gifted teacher who explains the gospel more fully to Apollos (Acts 18:26); Lydia, a businesswoman whose home became one of the first house churches in Philippi (Acts 16:14–15); and Junia, called “outstanding among the apostles” (Romans 16:7). As followers of the risen Jesus, these women are examples of those who followed in the footsteps of the female disciples as learners, leaders, hospitable hosts, and bold missionaries of the gospel. These stories, and these women, call us to both remember and reframe our view of women in God’s kingdom. They are mothers, sisters, friends, supporters, leaders, disciples, evangelists, redeemer sinners, and theologians in their own right. Their stories and their presence in the gospel narratives and Christian history invite us to continue to notice, commend, and to raise and release women into ministry. We are reminded that to follow Jesus is also to recognise and affirm the Holy Spirit’s work in and through all people, men and women alike, as they declare in word and deed the good news of Jesus today. So, this Easter, as we most importantly celebrate the empty tomb, let’s also recognise and give thanks for the women who proclaimed and continue to proclaim the stunning message of our risen saviour and Lord. Let us also honour those who have used and continue to use their gifts to help build the church that bears His name. This article was originally published on the Morling College website

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Gayle joined the Morling team in 2006, serving as the Dean of Students from 2008-2019 before being appointed to the Leadership Team in 2019. Her role involves overseeing our teams who interact with students at all points of their journey at Morling, with a particular focus on student services and student success. She enjoys working with others to develop a welcoming, supportive and transformative community for students and staff. Gayle also lectures in the Pastoral and Practical studies units; drawing on her experience in pastoral ministry and professional supervision. She has a passion for all people to grow together in wisdom, understanding and passion about how God has shaped them and what he has gifted them to do.