The Stained Glass Windows of Saint Mark

The Three Women at the Tomb

“And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; he is not here: Behold the place where they laid him.” Mark 16:6

In Memory of Mrs. Mary Keith Hurt, 1861—1905

The account of the empty tomb is contributed to the development of the Christian tradition by Mark, who presents it as an important fact (Saint Mark 16:1-8). Both Matthew and Luke took over and revised Mark’s story and supplemented it with a cycle of resurrection narratives (Saint Matthew 28:1-10 and Saint Luke 24:1-11). In Mark’s narrative three women go to the tomb of Jesus early on the first day of the week, Sunday, to anoint his body. The artist has chosen to base this window on the Marcan version.

The group of figures is presented within the entrance of a cave-like space, presumably cut into a hillside. At the left an angel sits upon a stone, holding a palm branch in his hand. Branches of the palm tree, regarded as sacred from early Semitic times, were carried by the Jews as a sign of triumphant rejoicing. The use of wings in Christian symbolism signifies a divine mission.

The three women presumably are those named by Mark: Mary Magdalene (a woman who participated in Jesus’ itinerating mission in Galilee, contributed financially to the venture, and has been cured of some serious condition), Mary the mother of James (a Galilean follower and financial supporter), and Salome (a Galilean follower of Jesus and probably the wife of Zebedee and the mother of James and John). Each of the women has an urn of spices which were to have been used to anoint the body of Jesus.

The city of Jerusalem is seen in the background and the three crosses on which Jesus and the two thieves were crucified are given magnified attention on the crest of a hill. Of special interest in the artistry of this window is the execution of the fabrics worn by the angel and the women. The blue, gold, and red glass used is deep and clear; the masking creating the delicate and detailed damask patterns of the fabrics is a fine example of this technique.

The medallion at the top of the window is a symbol composed of a crown, two interwoven palm branches, and rays of light forming a Greek cross. The symbol of the cross and crown represents the reward to those who are faithful unto death. Palm branches, referring to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, symbolize victory and triumph over death.

This window was made in 1909.

Dr. and Mrs. John Hurt moved from Dahlonega to Atlanta and lived in a beautiful home on Spring Street near Fifth Street. They were active in the Merritts Avenue Methodist Church and in Saint Mark after the congregation changed its name upon moving to the present location. Dr. and Mrs. Hurt had no children and the window was given as an expression of his loving memory of his wife.