Salome of the Bible: Faith that Kept Showing Up

Part 4 of this month’s Women of the Bible Series

Read Matthew 20:20–28; Luke 23:54-24:1-9; Mark 16:1–7

Have you ever been in a season where you’re doing everything right, yet nothing seems to make sense?

You’re still praying.
Still trusting.

But the outcome you expected hasn’t happened.
I’ve been there. Many times.

In midlife, this can feel particularly weighty. You’ve journeyed with God long enough to trust His faithfulness, yet at times His plans unfold in ways far different from what you envisioned.

Let’s look at a woman in the Easter story who knew what it meant to follow Jesus faithfully—even when she didn’t fully understand what He was doing.

A Faithful Follower

Her name was Salome.

She was the mother of two of Jesus’ disciples—James and John—and just one of the women who followed Jesus during His ministry.

Scripture tells us that many women traveled with Jesus and helped support His work. They weren’t just observers. They were committed, involved, and faithful.

So, we know that Salome had seen the miracles and heard the teaching. And she believed that Jesus was the Messiah.

But like many others, she didn’t fully understand what that meant.

For other Bible nerds like me:

As I studied Salome’s story, I noticed something interesting—she’s named in Mark’s Gospel, but not in all of the others. Why is that?

The Gospel writers weren’t trying to give identical lists of every person present. Instead, they highlighted different people depending on their audience and purpose. Mark names Salome directly, while Matthew likely refers to her as “the mother of the sons of Zebedee,” and Luke includes her among “the other women.” John narrows the focus even further to just Mary Magdalene—but even she says, “we don’t know…”, hinting that she wasn’t alone.

So rather than contradicting each other, the Gospels are giving us different angles of the same moment—each one shining light on the faithful women who showed up.

When Expectations Don’t Match Reality

At one point, Salome approached Jesus with a request.

She asked if her two sons (who Jesus called the Sons of Thunder) could sit beside Him in His kingdom—one on His right and one on His left (Matthew 20:20–21).

Because she believed Jesus’ kingdom was coming soon, she simply wanted her sons to have a place of honor.

But Jesus gently corrected her.

His kingdom wouldn’t look like what she expected.
It wouldn’t come through power or position—but through sacrifice.

And while Scripture doesn’t tell us her reaction, we do know this: She didn’t walk away.

She continued following Jesus, even after realizing she may not have understood His plan as clearly as she thought.

And if we’re honest, that’s something many of us can relate to.

We’ve prayed for one outcome.
Planned for a certain future.
Assumed we knew how God would work.

And then… things unfold differently.

Staying When It’s Hard

Salome’s faith was tested in the hardest way possible. Everything she believed about the future must have felt like it was unraveling when Jesus was crucified. The disciples scattered in fear — but Salome stayed.

In the book of Mark, she is among the women watching from a distance as Jesus hung on the cross (Mark 15:40). She witnessed His intense suffering.

No, this wasn’t the kingdom she had imagined.
And yet—she didn’t leave.

Showing Up in the Silence

After Jesus died, Salome did something simple—but deeply meaningful. She showed up.

It was early in the morning. Along with Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus, the women brought spices to anoint Jesus’ body — to prepare Him for burial.

She showed up to serve, even when it felt like the story was over.

And that’s what makes what happened next so powerful.

Because while she thought she was walking toward an ending…
She was actually walking into a beginning.

The Surprise of Faithfulness

When Salome arrived at the tomb, everything had changed.

The stone was rolled away.
The tomb was empty.

And two angels delivered the astounding message: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. (Luke 24:5-6 ESV)

Salome became one of the first witnesses to the resurrection—not because she had perfect understanding, but because she had faith that kept showing up.

For the Woman in the Waiting

Salome’s story is a tender reminder for those of us walking through seasons that don’t make sense. You may be:

Waiting for answers.
Waiting for direction.
Waiting for something you thought would’ve happened by now.

And in the middle of it, you’re doing the only thing you know to do—
You keep showing up.
You keep praying.
You keep trusting.
Even when you don’t see the full picture.

Salome didn’t know it was Resurrection Day when she walked toward the tomb.
She simply showed up because she loved Jesus.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what faith looks like.

When You Don’t Understand, Keep Showing Up

You may not understand what God is doing in your life right now.

But your faithfulness still matters.

Every prayer.
Every small step of obedience.
Every moment you choose to trust Him again.

God is working—even in the silence.

And just like Salome, you may find that the place you thought held an ending…
Is actually where God reveals something brand new.

Prayer

Dear Lord,
There are times when I don’t understand what You are doing in my life. Plans don’t unfold the way I expect, and it’s easy to feel discouraged in the waiting. Help me to have faith that keeps showing up. Teach me to trust You even when I can’t see the outcome. Remind me that You are always working, even when I can’t see it. Strengthen my heart to stay faithful, knowing that You are writing a story far greater than I can imagine. Amen.

Journaling Prompts

What area of your life right now requires you to simply keep showing up in faith?
Can you think of a time when your expectations didn’t match God’s plan? What did that season teach you?
What helps you remain faithful during seasons of uncertainty or waiting?
Where might God be inviting you to trust Him for a new beginning, even if you can’t see it yet?

Disclosure: the featured image of this post was created by AI to help illustrate the material.
Scriptures marked ESV are taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV): Scriptures taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission