John 19:26

26 So Jesus, seeing [his] mother and the disciple whom he loved standing there, said to [his] mother, "Woman, behold your son!"

John 19:26 Meaning and Commentary

John 19:26

When Jesus therefore saw his mother
Standing near him, within the reach of his voice, as well as sight, he took notice of her, and showed a concern for her temporal, as well as for her eternal good:

and the disciple standing by;
either by his cross, his mother, or both:

whom he loved:
meaning John, the writer of this Gospel, who for modesty's sake often describes himself in this manner; he being distinguished by Christ from the rest, by some peculiar marks of affection as man; though as God, and as the Redeemer, he loved his disciples alike, as he does all his true and faithful followers:

he saith unto his mother, woman, behold thy son;
meaning not himself, but the disciple, who was her son, not by nature, nor adoption; but who would show himself as a son, by his filial affection for, care of, honour and respect unto her. Christ calls her not mother, but woman; not out of disrespect to her, or as ashamed of her; but partly that he might not raise, or add strength to her passions, by a tenderness of speaking; and partly to conceal her from the mob, and lest she should be exposed to their rude insults; as also to let her know that all natural relation was now ceasing between them; though this is a title he sometimes used to give her before.

John 19:26 In-Context

24 So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it apart, but cast lots for it, [to see] whose it will be," so that the scripture would be fulfilled that says, "They divided my garments among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots." Thus the soldiers did these [things].

25 Now his mother and the sister of his mother, Mary the [wife] of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene were standing near the cross of Jesus.

26 So Jesus, seeing [his] mother and the disciple whom he loved standing there, said to [his] mother, "Woman, behold your son!"

27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her into his own [home].

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that now at last everything was completed, in order that the scripture would be fulfilled, said, "I am thirsty."

Footnotes

• [a]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [b]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun