Caring, but cautious.  That may be a reasonable way to describe these women, but they were much more than caring; they had devoted themselves to the Master, helping in the domestic tasks that often defeat itinerant preachers.  At the end of the day, when the disciples had disappeared, the women remained at Calvary at the end of the afternoon.  Matthew reports that many women were there (Matthew 27:55).   Sad figures undoubtedly, but they were no threat to the Romans or religious authorities; in those days, women had no opinion and no voice.  A nuisance possibly, but threat, no ... especially now that their Master was dead.

But what a catalogue of divine ministry they represented.  Not only the acts of service they had done for Jesus, but the miracles He had done in their lives.  Mary Magdalene (from Magdala, on the western shore of Galilee) had been released from demonic oppression (Luke 8:2).  Salome was the wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John.  These women served because of what God had done for them, and because they believed in Jesus.  They were women of faith unlike the disciples, and Mark, who had all run away (Mark 14:50-52).

Mark knew their significant part in the historical narrative.  Later the church in Jerusalem met in the house of his mother, also called Mary (Acts 12:12).  He is not just a historical writer but had personally observed 'Team Jesus' at work.  He understood the dedicated commitment of the women.  He would have known their personal distress at the crucifixion, their grief-stricken love which drove them to prepare embalming spices (Mark 16:1), and their fear on the resurrection day (Mark 16:8).   And yet it was to women that the angel first announced that Jesus was alive: they were the appointed messengers of hope to the disciples (Mark 16:4-7).  Mary Magdalene was the first person Jesus chose to meet after His resurrection.  Although the culture of the time despised women, Jesus healed them (Matthew 9:20-22), compassionately wept with them (John 11:32-35), and honoured them (Mark 14:8-9).  Whatever their background, Jesus treated each woman as an individual and rewarded their faith, and still does.  

Godly women have a special place in Scripture (Proverbs 31:10-31).  They are marked by a willingness to serve when the Master needs them (Luke 1:46-55).  They do not seek prominence, but are glad for Jesus to be centre-stage.  They do not draw people to themselves, but point them to the Saviour.  Servant heartedness pleased the Lord then, and still does today.  Many men could learn a lesson from them, not least those women's sons who all fled; except for Mary's Son whose body was hanging limply from the cross.  He did not quit; He saw His job through to the bitter end (John 19:30), and the women stood by Him.  It is a great mistake to despise those who are servant hearted and honour Jesus: because Jesus eternally honours them (Matthew 10:32-33).