Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 19:26

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

26. whom he loved ] See on Joh 18:23. The expression here is not a mere periphrasis to avoid giving the name, still less a boastful insertion: it explains why Jesus committed the two to one another. (See Introduction, ii. iii. 3 b.)

Woman ] See on Joh 2:4.

behold thy son.] If, as has just been maintained (2nd note on Joh 19:25), S. John was the Virgin’s nephew, and if, as is probable (see on Joh 2:12), Christ’s ‘brethren’ were the sons of Joseph by a former marriage, the fact that Christ committed His mother to her nephew and His own beloved disciple rather than to her step-sons requires no explanation. Even if His ‘brethren’ were the sons of Joseph and Mary, their not believing on Him (Joh 7:5) would sufficiently account for their being set aside; and we have no evidence that they believed until after the Resurrection (Act 1:14).

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

The disciple …whom he loved – See Joh 13:23.

Woman – This appellation certainly implied no disrespect. See the notes at Joh 2:4.

Behold thy son! – This refers to John, not to Jesus himself. Behold, my beloved disciple shall be to you a son, and provide for you, and discharge toward you the duties of an affectionate child. Mary was poor. It would even seem that now she had no home. Jesus, in his dying moments, filled with tender regard for his mother, secured for her an adopted son, obtained for her a home, and consoled her grief by the prospect of attention from him who was the most beloved of all the apostles. What an example of filial attention! What a model to all children! And how lovely appears the dying Saviour, thus remembering his afflicted mother, and making her welfare one of his last cares on the cross, and even when making atonement for the sins of the world!

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 26. The disciple – whom he loved] John, the writer of this Gospel.

Woman, behold thy son!] This is a remarkable expression, and has been much misunderstood. It conveys no idea of disrespect, nor of unconcern, as has been commonly supposed. In the way of compellation, man! and woman! were titles of as much respect among the Hebrews as sir! and madam! are among us. But why does not Jesus call her mother? Probably because he wished to spare her feelings; he would not mention a name, the very sound of which must have wrung her heart with additional sorrow. On this account he says, Behold thy son! this was the language of pure natural affection: “Consider this crucified man no longer at present as any relative of thine; but take that disciple whom my power shall preserve from evil for thy son; and, while he considers thee as his mother, account him for thy child.” It is probable that it was because the keeping of the blessed virgin was entrusted to him that he was the only disciple of our Lord who died a natural death, God having preserved him for the sake of the person whom he gave him in charge. Many children are not only preserved alive, but abundantly prospered in temporal things, for the sake of the desolate parents whom God hast cast upon their care. It is very likely that Joseph was dead previously to this; and that this was the reason why the desolate virgin is committed to the care of the beloved disciple.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

We have often heard that John was the beloved disciple, and usually expressed under the notion of him whom Jesus loved. Our Lord commendeth his mother to the care of John, whom he had ordered to take care of her, as if he had been her own son: this letteth us know that Joseph was at this time dead, otherwise it is not probable that Christ would have committed his mother to any other guardian.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

26, 27. When Jesus . . . saw hismother, and the disciple whom he loved, standing by, he saith to hismother, WOMAN,BEHOLD THYSON! Thensaith he to the disciple, BEHOLDTHYMOTHER!Whatforgetfulness of self, what filial love, and to the “mother”and “son” what parting words!

from that hour . . . took herto his own homeor, home with him; for his father Zebedee andhis mother Salome were both alive, and the latter here present (Mr15:40). See on Mt 13:55. Nowoccurred the supernatural darkness, recorded by all the otherEvangelists, but not here. “Now from the sixth hour (twelveo’clock, noon) there was darkness over all the land unto the ninthhour” (Mt 27:45). Noordinary eclipse of the sun could have occurred at this time, itbeing then full moon, and this obscuration lasted about twelvetimes the length of any ordinary eclipse. (Compare Exo 10:21;Exo 10:23). Beyond doubt, thedivine intention of the portent was to invest this darkest of alltragedies with a gloom expressive of its real character. “Andabout the ninth hour Jesus cried, ELI,ELI, LAMASABACHTHANI . . . MyGod, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Mt27:46). As the darkness commenced at the sixth hour, the secondof the Jewish hours of prayer, so it continued till the ninth hour,the hour of the evening sacrifice, increasing probably indepth, and reaching its deepest gloom at the moment of thismysterious cry, when the flame of the one great “EveningSacrifice” was burning fiercest. The words were made to Hishand. They are the opening words of a Psalm (Ps22:1) full of the last “sufferings of Christ and thefollowing glories” (1Pe 1:11).”FATHER,” wasthe cry in the first prayer which He uttered on the cross, formatters had not then come to the worst. “Father” was thecry of His last prayer, for matters had then passed their worst. Butat this crisis of His sufferings, “Father” does not issuefrom His lips, for the light of a Father’s countenance was thenmysteriously eclipsed. He falls back, however, on a title expressiveof His official relation, which, though lower and more distantin itself, yet when grasped in pure and naked faith was mighty in itsclaims, and rich in psalmodic associations. And what deep earnestnessis conveyed by the redoubling of this title! But as for the cryitself, it will never be fully comprehended. An absolute desertion isnot indeed to be thought of; but a total eclipse of the feltsense of God’s presence it certainly expresses. It expre’ssessurprise, as under the experience of something not only neverbefore known, but inexplicable on the footing which hadtill then subsisted between Him and God. It is a question whichthe lost cannot utter. They are forsaken, but they know why.Jesus is forsaken, but does not know and demands to know why.It is thus the cry of conscious innocence, but of innocenceunavailing to draw down, at that moment, the least token of approvalfrom the unseen Judgeinnocence whose only recognition at thatmoment lay in the thick surrounding gloom which but reflected thehorror of great darkness that invested His own spirit. There wasindeed a cause for it, and He knew it toothe “why”must not be pressed so far as to exclude this. He must taste thisbitterest of the wages of sin “who did no sin“(1Pe 2:22). But that is not thepoint now. In Him there was no cause at all (Joh14:30) and He takes refuge in the glorious fact. When no ray fromabove shines in upon Him, He strikes a light out of His own breast.If God will not own Him, He shall own Himself. On the rock of Hisunsullied allegiance to Heaven He will stand, till the light ofHeaven returns to His spirit. And it is near to come. While He is yetspeaking, the fierceness of the flame is beginning to abate. Oneincident and insult more, and the experience of one other predictedelement of suffering, and the victory is His. The incident, and theinsult springing out of it, is the misunderstanding of the cry, forwe can hardly suppose that it was anything else. “Some of themthat stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth forElias” (Mt 27:47).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

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.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

His mother ( ). Common Greek idiom, the article as possessive.

Standing by (). Perfect active (intransitive) participle of , vivid and picturesque scene. The dying Saviour thinks of the comfort of his mother.

Whom he loved ( ). Imperfect active. Surely John is justified in inserting this phrase here. If John were his cousin, that helps explain why Jesus turns the care of his mother over to him. But the brothers of Jesus are not present and disbelieved his claims. John is the only one of the apostles with courage enough to take his stand with the women by the Cross. There is no disrespect in the use of “Woman” () here as there was not in 2:4. This trust is to John, though Salome, John’s own mother, was standing there.

Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament

Woman. See on 2 4.

Behold. Canon Westcott remarks upon the four exclamations in this chapter – Behold the man! Behold your King! Behold thy son! Behold thy mother! as a remarkable picture of what Christ is, and what He reveals men to be.

Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament

1) “When Jesus therefore saw his mother,” (lesous oun idon ten matera) “Then Jesus upon seeing his mother,” or when He saw His mother, standing by the cross, Joh 19:25.

2) “And the disciple standing by whom he loved,” (kai ton matheten parestota hon egapa) ”And the particular disciple he loved standing by,” the one who leaned on His breast at the supper, John, who was one of the three inner-circle disciples, Joh 13:23; Joh 18:15; Joh 21:20; Joh 21:24; Mat 17:1.

3) “He saith unto his mother,” (legei te metri) “Said to his mother directly, personally,” to Mary. Luk 1:27; Luk 1:30; Luk 1:34; Luk 1:38-39; Luk 1:46; Luk 1:56; Luk 2:5; Luk 7:11; Joh 2:1.

4) “Woman, behold thy son!” (gunai ide ho huios sou) “Woman take special note of your son,” much as He addressed His mother at the wedding feast in Cana, when He performed His first miracle, Joh 2:4; Joh 2:11. In each instance He referred to her as “woman”, perhaps to emphasize His higher, Divine relation to both her and John, her son on whom she was to rely for earthly support, in His place hereafter.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

26. Woman, behold thy son! (175) As if he had said, “Henceforth I shall not be an inhabitant of the earth, so as to have it in my power to discharge to thee the duties of a son; and, therefore, I put this man in my room, that he may perform my office.” The same thing is meant, when he says to John,

Behold thy mother! For by these words he charges him to treat her as a mother, and to take as much care of her as if she had been his own mother.

In refraining from mentioning his mother’s name and in simply calling her Woman! some think that he did so, in order not to pierce her heart with a deeper wound. I do not object to this view; but there is another conjecture which is equally probable, that Christ intended to show that, after having completed the course of human life, he lays down the condition in which he had lived, and enters into the heavenly kingdom, where he will exercise dominion over angels and men; for we know that Christ was always accustomed to guard believers against looking at the flesh, and it was especially necessary that this should be done at his death.

(175) “One who will take as much care of you as if he had been your son.” — Beausobre.

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

(26) The disciple standing by, whom he loved.Comp. Note on Joh. 13:23.

Woman, behold thy son!Comp. Note on Joh. 2:4. There were those who were called the brethren of the Lord who may seem to us to have been of nearer relationship (comp. Note on Mat. 13:55), but He regards whosoever doeth the will of His Father which is in heaven, as brother and sister and mother. (Comp. Notes on Mat. 12:46 et seq.) He now sees standing by the cross her who. by His death will be left without son as well as without husband, for the silence of the history can only be accounted for on the supposition that Joseph was already dead; and in the tenderness of His love He commits her to the care of him whom He Himself had loved beyond others, because beyond others he could receive His love.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

26. Woman The same respectful but not affectionate title addressed by Jesus to his mother at the wedding at Cana of Galilee. But for this repetition of the title, we should certainly infer that it was here used to avoid exposing his mother to the notice of the multitude. Why, then, did he not address her in this moment of sorrow by the endearing title of mother? We cannot but conclude that the title used indicates that officially he was a son no longer. Her maternity is transferred to another. And yet, in this moment of overwhelming suffering, the mind of Jesus takes care to remember the obligations due to the ties of nature. His garments, his last property, his foes have parted among themselves. His mother alone remaining, he places her as a precious deposit, not with her sons but with his best beloved disciple. See note on Mat 13:55.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

‘When therefore Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he says to his mother, “Woman, behold your son”. Then he says to the disciple, “behold, your mother”. And from that hour the disciple took her into his own family circle.’

Jesus’ love and concern for His mother comes out here. Sometimes He had had to rebuke her when she had sought to interfere with His ministry, but His love for her never wavered. Now at this moment of His supreme agony some of His thoughts were for her. Basically He was saying to her, ‘here is someone you can look to’, and to John, ‘look after her’.

‘Woman’. Gentle, friendly and kind but not as intimate as ‘mother’. The equivalent to a Yorkshireman would be ‘lass’ or to a Scotsman ‘lassie’. It is noteworthy that Jesus never referred to Mary as ‘mother’. Once He had begun His ministry there had to be that small difference subtly revealed, for He now belonged to the people of God as a whole (Mar 3:35). But that His concern for her had been genuine comes out here in His provision for her. ‘Woman’ stresses that she was one of humankind. Jesus never at any stage gave reason to believe that she was to be seen as unique. (In one sense only was she unique, that she was the human being through whom Jesus was born into the world. But the conception was the work of God the Holy Spirit. His Godhead was not of Mary. That is why the later early church would insist that she be called ‘theopheros’ – ‘God-bearer’, and not ‘the mother of God’. The latter came into emphasis later in a more heretical age ).

‘Behold your son’. Once the father was dead the son was responsible for looking after the mother both spiritually and materially. This responsibility Jesus now passed on to John. Mary could look to him in the future. He knew that John’s heart would respond to Mary’s needs, especially in the short term when she would need it most. For it was now that He did not want her to be without understanding support.

‘Behold your mother.’ He asked John to take on the responsibility that was His. The idea was that he would take responsibility for her, not that he should come under the authority of Mary.

But what of His brothers? They were seemingly not there at the cross, and they should have been for He was their brother, so He could not charge them with the task. He thus turned to the one who alone was there and available. His mother needed help now. Nor were Jesus’ brothers at this stage necessarily true followers of His. He thus showed here that He wanted His band to stay together and to love one another, assisting each other in whatever need. He wanted his mother to be a part of the ongoing work of the new church.

Many things have been read into these words which have exalted Mary above measure, but the facts are against it. None of such ideas are found in the New Testament. She was a good and godly woman. But we must not forget that the main reason she was chosen to bear Jesus was because she was betrothed to Joseph, the theoretical heir to the throne of Israel, not because she was exceptional in other ways. It was many centuries later, when men began to look for a mother figure, that all the sentimental ideas clung to by the Roman Catholic church began to creep in and at last took over. For men have always had a weak spot for womankind. In later centuries as doctrine developed some would begin to call her ‘the mother of God’, but the earlier church as a whole objected to this and it was finally agreed that she should be called ‘theopheros’, the God-bearer, but not the mother of God, for she was not the source of Jesus’ Godhood.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

Joh 19:26-27. Woman, behold thy son! We have elsewhere observed, that Joseph was probably dead some time before. See on ch. Joh 2:1; Joh 6:42. And as Jesus now shewed the tender concern he had for his mother, in committing her to the care of St. John; so this concern which he expressed for her support, must have affected her no less than if he had called her mother; which some have thought he might not choose to do, to avoid exposing her to the abuses of the populace by a discovery of her near relation to him. But woman was a title that he had before used in speaking to his mother, where no such caution was necessary; and it was frequently applied in ancient times, even to persons who were the most respected, as we have observed on ch. Joh 2:4. Some, however, have remarked, that the word may very well be interpreted mother; which certainly renders the opposition to , thy son; more sensibly affecting. See Antonin. Medit. 50: 9: 100: 3. Our Lord, besides expressing great filial affection towards his mother, gave the beloved disciple also a token of his high esteem. He singled him out for the important trust of his beloved mother; and as he desired her to consider him as a son, so he desired him expressly to reverence and love her, as if she had been his own parent,a duty, which he gladly undertook, and no doubt most faithfully performed. Thus, in the midst of the heaviest sufferings ever sustained by human nature, Jesus demonstrated a divine strength of benevolence: even when his own distress was at the highest pitch, his friends had such a share of his concern, that their happiness for a little time engrossed his tenderest thoug

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

DISCOURSE: 1724
JESUS COMMENDS HIS MOTHER TO JOHNS CARE

Joh 19:26-27. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

IN the hour of our Lords crucifixion, when nearly the whole of his Disciples had forsaken him, his female relatives adhered to him, and, together with John the beloved Disciple, preferred the pain and danger of a continued attendance on him, to the repose and safety of a disgraceful flight. To this kindness of theirs the dying Jesus was not insensible. On the contrary, he took that opportunity to secure to his mother a protector through all her remaining days; and to confer on John an honour, which even an angel might well have envied. The transaction, being one of the last in which the Saviour was engaged, demands particular attention. We propose to consider it,

I.

As an emblem for our instruction

Many of our Lords miracles were certainly intended to shadow forth the spiritual blessings which he came to bestow: and some of his actions also were plainly adapted to the same end [Note: See Joh 9:39; Joh 13:8.]. We do not indeed assert, that such was the intention of the fact recorded in our text; yet we may without impropriety remark, that it is well calculated to shew,

1.

The care which Jesus takes of his suffering people

[The time was now come, when, according to the prediction of the aged Simeon, a sword pierced through the soul of the virgin mother. But Jesus, though in the very agonies of death himself, was mindful of her, and committed her to one, who should supply his place, and be to her as an affectionate and duteous son. His removal from this lower world has in no wise diminished his concern for his afflicted people. As the High-priest of his Church, he is constantly attending to the interests of all its members. He is not such an high-priest as cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities: in the days of his flesh, he was in all points tempted like as we are, though without sin [Note: Heb 4:15.]: and since, as well as before, his incarnation, in all our afflictions he is afflicted [Note: Isa 63:9.]. Are we in temporal distress? he engages that bread shall be given us, and our water be sure [Note: Isa 33:16.]: and if our wants be of a spiritual nature, he assures us, that he will never suffer the soul of the righteous to famish [Note: Pro 10:3.], but will make all grace abound towards us, that we, having always all-sufficiency in all things, may abound unto every good work [Note: 2Co 9:8.].]

2.

The subserviency of the whole creation to his will

[Without hesitation, John accepted the trust; and no doubt he executed it with fidelity and joy. In like manner the whole creation is ready to obey the command of Christ, and to fulfil his gracious appointments. All the hosts of heaven would, at the first intimation of his will, fly to our relief. The birds of the air would sustain us [Note: 1Ki 17:4.]; the fishes of the sea preserve us [Note: Jon 1:17.]; the clouds would supply us with daily nutriment; and the rocks give from their bosoms an unceasing stream for our support [Note: Neh 9:20.]. The very enemies of God and his people should open an asylum for us, in obedience to his word; Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab: be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler [Note: Isa 16:4.]. Hence he bids us to cast our care on him; and encourages the most destitute of mankind to expect from him a seasonable supply of all needful blessings; Leave thy fatherless children; I will preserve them alive: and let thy widows trust in me [Note: Jer 49:11.].]

Even though the foregoing views should not be thought necessarily connected with the subject, they are profitable in themselves, and are easily deducible from it: but no doubt at all can arise respecting this act of our Lords,

II.

As a pattern for our imitation

Whatever Jesus did as the Messiah, was peculiar to himself; but whatever he did merely as a man, that is to be imitated by us; for he set us an example, that we should follow his steps. His Apostles also we are to follow, as far as they were followers of him. Now the fact which is here recorded, affords us an excellent pattern,

1.

Of filial piety

[Our Lord, during his youthful days, is particularly spoken of as having been subject to his parents [Note: Luk 2:51.]: and therein he has set an example to children in every age. But it is not in honouring their parents only, or in obeying their commands, that the duty of children consists; it is no less their duty to make provision for their parents, in case they should by any means be brought into circumstances to need support. This is particularly enjoined by God himself; If any widow have children, or nephews [Note: .] (grand-children), let them learn first to shew pity at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God [Note: 1Ti 5:4.]. This duty supersedes charity itself, on a supposition that the two be incompatible with each other: because the support of parents is an act of justice; it is a return which we are bound to make for all the care and kindness they exercised towards us in our early days: and the claims of justice can never yield to those of generosity: indeed so indispensable is this duty, that if we do not perform it, we practically deny the faith, and make ourselves worse than infidels [Note: 1Ti 5:8.]. Moreover we should endeavour, as far as circumstances will admit of it, to make provision for our parents in the event of our own removal; that so we may requite them for all their love to us, whilst we were incapable of the smallest exertion for ourselves. If our parents do not need support from us, we must not on that account imagine that our Lords example is inapplicable to us; for that example shews equally, that it is our duty to consult the comfort of their minds, as well as the support of their bodies: and I pray God that all young people amongst us may lay this thought to heart! ]

2.

Of Christian love

[Though John had probably no great abundance for himself, he doubtless thankfully admitted the mother of our Lord to a participation of what he had; regarding her altogether as though she had been his own mother. In this same light should we regard all the sons and daughters of affliction, especially those who are of the household of faith. What our Lord said of all who did his Fathers will, we, for his sake, should say also; The same is my brother and sister and mother [Note: Mat 12:50.]. We should consider the aged, the infirm, the young, the destitute, as having a claim upon us for all the aid that we can reasonably afford them out of the provision which God has made for us. We should look upon our property as a trust committed to our charge, to be improved for God, and to be accounted for to him in the day of judgment. And, if the demands upon us be urgent, we must not on that account give grudgingly or of necessity, but rejoice that God has entrusted us with talents for such a blessed use [Note: If this were the subject of a Charity Sermon, the particular claims of the Institution pleaded for might be stated here.]. As to the comfort arising from such an use of our property, it is beyond all comparison greater than any that can arise from personal indulgence: we entreat all therefore to seek their happiness in making others happy, and to tread in the steps of Him, who impoverished himself that he might enrich us [Note: 2Co 8:9.], and submitted to the most cruel death that we might inherit eternal life.]

Address
1.

Those who are afflicted

[Those who are most dear to the Lord, are often the most afflicted. This was particularly the case with the mother of our Lord: and we are told in general, that whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. It is possible too that he may bring us into troubles, from whence there appears not any probable method of escape; but he knows the fittest time to interpose in our behalf. He might have arranged matters for his mother long before: but he would not; because he knew what would be on the whole the fittest season. Thus then let us wait the Lords leisure, and be strong in faith, giving glory to him: and if at any time we be tempted to fear that he has forsaken and forgotten us, let us instantly check the dishonourable thought; believing that, though it is possible that a mother should forget her sucking child, it is not possible that He should ever be unmindful of us [Note: Isa 49:14-16.]: nay, if, like Mary, we be brought into troubles for his sake, we shall receive from him an hundred-fold in this world, and in the world to come eternal life [Note: Mar 10:29-30.].]

2.

Them that are at ease

[If you were under the heaviest pressure of affliction yourselves, it would be no reason for being indifferent to the afflictions of others: but if God has been pleased to screen you from trials, you should be the more earnest in bearing the burthens of others, that you may thereby fulfil the law of Christ [Note: Gal 6:2.]. Remember, that sympathy is one of the finest feelings of our nature, and exceedingly fitted to purify us from our remaining dross. Cultivate it then, and value every opportunity of exercising and strengthening that principle in your souls. It is said by Solomon, that it is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting: and this witness is true. Nothing tends more to create in us a thankful heart, than the seeing of the miseries to which others are exposed. Are you then, like John, disciples beloved of your Lord?-endeavour to tread in the steps of John: and if, with Peter, you are confident that you feel in yourselves a love to Christ, then comply with the command of Christ, and feed his lambs, and feed his sheep [Note: Joh 21:15-17.].]

Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)

26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

Ver. 26. When Jesus therefore saw his mother ] In the midst of his miseries he thinks of his mother, and takes care for her well-doing after his decease. Doctor Taylor, the martyr, among other things he said to his son at his death, laid this charge upon him: When thy mother is waxed old, forsake her not, but provide for her to thy power, and that she lack nothing; for so will God bless thee, and give thee long life upon earth and prosperity. The Athenians punished such with death as nourished not their aged parents. And St Paul saith, that to requite parents is good and acceptable before God, 1Ti 5:4 . , sc. coram hominibus. (Scult.)

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

26. ] The relationship in the flesh between the Lord and His mother was about to close; hence He commends her to another son who should care for and protect her. Thus, as at the marriage in Cana, when His official independence of her was to be testified, so now, He addresses her as .

Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament

Joh 19:26 . John’s interest in naming the women is not obvious except in the case of the first. . Jesus when He saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing beside her (the relevancy of the designation, , is here obvious, and the most convincing proof of its truth and significance is now given), says to His mother, “Woman, behold thy son”; i.e. , turning His eyes towards John, There is your son. Me you are losing, so far as the filial relation goes, but John will in this respect take my place.

Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson

When. &c. Read, “Jesus therefore, seeing”.

loved. Greek. agapao. App-135.

Woman. See on Joh 2:4.

behold. Gr idou. App-133.; but the texts read ide. App-133.

son. Greek. huios. App-108. Joseph being evidently dead, and her firstborn son (Mat 1:25) dying, there would be no support for Mary. In view of Joh 7:3-5, it was a befitting arrangement.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

26. ] The relationship in the flesh between the Lord and His mother was about to close; hence He commends her to another son who should care for and protect her. Thus,-as at the marriage in Cana, when His official independence of her was to be testified, so now,-He addresses her as .

Fuente: The Greek Testament

Joh 19:26. , the disciple) It is probable that Thomas also stood at a distance, ch. Joh 20:25,[391] and the others.-, He saith) He does not employ a long valediction, being about presently after to see them again.- , thy son) Thus Jesus honoured John by imparting to him as it were His own name; Thy son, saith He, to whom thou mayest commit thyself. Jesus even afforded an example of love towards surviving relatives and friends: but when He had discharged (performed) that office of love, He removed from His thoughts His mother, and had to do with His Father alone at the last.

[391] Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, etc.: implying, by the graphic mode of expression, that he had seen Him when the nails were in His body.-E. and T.

Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament

Joh 19:26

Joh 19:26

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold, thy son!-The disciple whom Jesus loved was John the writer of the book of John. He is supposed to have been a kinsman of Jesus and his mother. His love for his mother and his desire to provide for her wants during her remaining days on earth led him to forget his own sufferings on the cross in the home of one noted for his tenderness and love. [The relationship in the flesh between Jesus and his mother was about to close, hence he commends her to another who should care for and protect her during old age. A son, who will not provide for his mother, is not worthy to be called a son. The last time the mother of Jesus is mentioned she was with John in Jerusalem, which would indicate that John was true to his trust. This was as great a compliment as Jesus could have given John as pertaining to this world.]

Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary

whom: Joh 13:23, Joh 20:2, Joh 21:7, Joh 21:20, Joh 21:24

Woman: Joh 2:4

Reciprocal: 2Sa 9:1 – show him Pro 23:22 – despise Dan 10:19 – O man Mat 12:50 – and mother Mat 25:40 – Inasmuch Joh 19:35 – he that Joh 20:13 – Woman Act 1:14 – Mary Act 4:13 – they took 2Co 8:4 – the ministering 1Ti 5:2 – elder 1Ti 5:4 – learn

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

THE MOST PATHETIC PHRASE IN GODS WORD

Woman, behold thy son! Behold thy mother!

Joh 19:26-27

There was a brief lull in the tempest which surged round the Cross of Christ, and the women who had been looking on afar off, His mother and the women from Galilee, emboldened by the falling back of the crowd, drew near to the foot of the Cross. One disciple returned, the beloved John, and so through all the long agony, through all the awful darkness, as the lonely cry rang out, His loved ones stood nearest Him.

I. The triumph of human love.Now there stood by the Cross of Jesus His mother. This sentence forms the most pathetic phrase in the whole of Gods Word. In infancy she had been content that He should nestle to her breast; now she comes to watch by the strange death of the One she loved, only half understanding Him. Yet she did love Him. As He turns His eyes, scorched by fever, upon her, what memories must have passed through both their minds! His mother was brave, and true enough, and strong enough, to come and stand at the foot of the Cross. Just to be near Him was all she wanted.

II. The responsibilities of human relationship.And yet, again, I see in these words a responsibility which human relationships must bring. Woman, behold thy son! No love must be wasted in the Kingdom of Christ. If Jesus, her Son, must be taken, then another must be given to her that she might lavish that mothers love upon him. The Cross teaches us that there is work to be done in the name of the Crucified, and that that work commences in the home-life. Our homesoh, how weary some homes are, how full of passion, what jealousies, what thoughtlessness, how unhelpful some homes are, how un-Christian! What is going to alter them, what is going to raise the home-life of our people to the dignity which the Blessed Master has shown should surround it? What is going to make the home-life of our nation, of our people, just the power which it ought to be? Only thislet the dying Christ by His message send us all back to our homes to try and sweeten, and gladden them, and hallow them by bringing His love into them, that we may go back to them and be intent upon doing this, showing our love for Christ in the details, in the self sacrificing details, of the daily life, willing to see in our home-life the highest opportunity of serving our Blessed Master.

III. The lesson for to-day.I ask you to learn this lesson from the Cross, from this message from the Cross, that womans love is a very holy thing, not only because it has the greatest effect upon life here, it is the greatest lever by which life is to be raised to the Divine height to which God would have it raised, but because it is eternal, because it lasts for ever. Let us see that we keep it holy, that we reverence it as it should be reverenced. Let us not drag it through the mire of the worlds lust and passion. Let us remember that love is Divine in that human relationship, whatever that human relationship is. It is a Divine thing, for the Blessed Master Himself partook of it. He was made Man; He was a Son; He was born into this world to fulfil the duty of sonship, and He has for ever consecrated it. Let us see, we who are men especially, let us see that we reverence it.

Rev. T. J. Longley.

Illustration

The greatest thing in the world is the love of some strong, true, brave woman, whether she be mother, sister, or wife, who is willing to stand by us men in the time of our difficulties. The scene surely serves as an inspiration for every girl and every woman in her daily life to live her best, to be her truest, her noblest; and an appeal to every man to think with reverence and honour of womanhood, to show them respect and reverence, and courtesy in the details of daily life, because, for all ages, it has been written to serve as our inspiration that in the moment when all else has fled from the Blessed Lord there stood by the Cross His mother.

(SECOND OUTLINE)

THE WORD OF TENDER CARE

I should like to emphasise this Word as the word of Tender Care. The beloved mother is given into the charge of the beloved disciple. Love only can take charge of loved ones, and John was the disciple whom Jesus loved, and, although he does not say it, the disciple who loved Jesus.

I. Notice and reflect that after the Incarnation was given to man the Blessed Mother seems to retire behind the scenes; we do not hear much about hervery little. Her work in the world was to be the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, her beginning and her end, her Alpha and her Omega, her first and her last. Being His mother, she is here at His deathbed, under the Cross. I want you to notice how very retiring she is. She does not appear during the Passion: she is not reported to have said anything or done anything. Each of the Evangelists gives us four chapters about the Passion, and all that was said and done.

II. But the Blessed Mother is left out until we come to Calvary.Why do you think this was? What are we to gather from it?

(a) Surely, first of all that His Mother knew all these thingsit was no news to her. The dear Lord and Master must have told her what was going to happen.

(b) And another point is this: She willed it. She made no comment, no remonstrance against the cruelty of wicked men. She who said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it unto me according to Thy word, knew that the word of God had gone out from everlasting that thus it must be. She uttered no word: her will was the will of her Son. He laid down His life right willingly, and in His will was hers. She will not go on Easter morning to bring spices to the tombnot she. She will not show any faithless love. She will not go to Him at all. Why? She knows He is not there. The secret of the Lord is with those that fear Him. She knows.

III. What was it that distressed her so much? Why was it that the sword passed into her soul? What was the piercing of the soul, if she willed it?

(a) First, because she was His own mother. As our own Prayer Book says. He was of the substance of the Virgin Mary His Mother. He was not of the substance of any father; He was twice as much of His mother as ever you or I are of ours, and that twice His mother was hers. He is all the worlds, but still He is hers. Though He have the worlds worship, still her heart avers, The Child Divine belongeth unto me. And now you can understand the first reason why the sword was piercing her soul.

(b) And the second. If she was the dear mother of Christ, she was still the dear daughter of God. Who was it that put her Son to death? Who was it that was slaying Him? The Church. Pilate would not have killed Him. It was Marys Church. Brought up amid all the associations of the old service and the old ritual, as dear a daughter of Israel as ever lived, she saw that the Chief Priests and Scribes had delivered Him up to be crucified. The thing was done by those she had loved most.

Rev. A. H. Stanton.

Illustration

Heathens cannot crucify Jesus. I tell you who can crucify Him. The Churchonly the Church. If the Lord Jesus Christ is to be put to death in these days it is by the Church of Godno one else can crucify Him. It is you and I who can crucify Him and put Him to open shame, and tread underfoot the Blood whereby we have been redeemed.

(THIRD OUTLINE)

THE IDENTITY OF HUMAN AND DIVINE LOVE

We are accustomed to speak of earthly and Divine love as two entirely different things; we are used to put earthly ties and human relationship a little in the background. Christ teaches us to do no such thing.

I. In this the supreme moment of His work for us on earth He emphasises the importance of family life and human love.

(a) Woman. He recalls how she, full of grace, had become the instrument of His birth. Woman. It had been her task to minister to the Holy Child, to tend and guard Him in His helpless infancy, to teach His feet to walk, His lips to utter. Bethlehem, the stable; Nazareth, the homethese and a hundred other memories He deigns to recollect for evermore. And now, though the bitter pains of death are bowing His worn head, He will not forget her and the beloved disciple whom He leaves behind.

(b) Behold thy Son. It had been foretold of her that a sharp sword should pierce her heart; and truly, as she stands thus beneath the Cross, her cup of suffering is complete. Even if in the awful circumstances of her case she can with faith believe that her Son is still Divine, though He appears so altogether mortal, the sport of chance, the object of His enemies derision, yet she knows He is about to leave her; soon she will be alone. It is just then He comforts and sustains her with the legacy of love He leaves behind Him. Behold thy Son.

(c) John was offered to her love. He the loved disciple who had leant upon the Saviours breast at that Last Supper of His love; he who had companied with Him, and drank in all His teaching; he, indeed, was fitted for the office designed for him.

(d) And for him, too, it was a splendid thoughtfulness that mapped out his future work. Son, behold thy mother. Happy for him that his grief is to find solace in endeavour.

II. A lesson, indeed, for us and for all time.Human ties, family life, earthly dutythese are the ladder which can lead from earth to heaven. Our love to God can only be real when it is shown in our love to men.

Rev. A. Osborne Jay.

Illustration

There is a touching story told of a childs unselfish affection for his mother. In a New England town not long ago a little newsboy was run over by a horse car and fatally hurt. He was but six years old, earning his own bread. In his last agonies he cried piteously for his mothernot that she might comfort him, but that he might give her his earnings. Ive saved em, mother, Ive saved em all. Here they are. When the little clenched hand fell rigid, it was found to hold ten cents. The words of that little child are an echo from the Cross. It was a tiny ray from the gentleness of Christ, which steals all down the rough and jarring ages.

(FOURTH OUTLINE)

BEREAVEMENT

Death is cruel and relentless, but it is not a thing of meaningless and terrible despair. Though the best be gone, never to return, that is not the last word that can be said at such a parting. Something is left though the best be taken, and that something is not to be despised because it is not so good as that which is gone. Upon the Cross her only Son is passing away into the night of death. He will never again be as He was on earth with her at home. But at her side there stands anotheranother not so dear as He, but one who may yet be very dear, one in whom something may yet be found of the old peace and joy and blessing. Let her not ignore what is left in her despair at what she loses. It is not so goodhow can it be? No, indeed, but it should be clothed upon by the goodness of that which is lost. It should recall, remind, re-echo what the Son had been, and by so remaining it should console with a consolation beyond its own. Woman, behold thy son! Behold thy mother! So quietly, so readily did she accept it.

I. All of us sometimes need sorely that quiet readiness of the Virgin.It is the lesson, the task given us for our bitter mourning. The nearest and the dearest, they are taken. We have lost them. They are gone, and gone for ever. The happy, happy days, they will never come again. Lo, on the deathbed there lies the body of one who had been the very soul of all our joys, the voice at which our heart leapt, as we should never hear it now. The old laughter, the old memories, the old talks shall never be renewed. That is our one and only thought. In its bitterness all that remains to us seems worthless, seems empty. It irritates us by the very contrast. Why tell me of these petty consolations? Why talk to me of what I can still do? What of duties and pleasures that life has still in store for me? I hate them because they are left, and the other is taken. I hate to think of them. I shall find myself going about the things of life again, and becoming half-interested in it once more, and perhaps enjoying it again and smiling again, and being busy and occupied. That is just what I most shrink from. I cannot bear that I can ever dare to think of anything again now that the light of mine eyes is taken from me! So we mutter, and down from His Cross our dying Lord looks gently and rebukes us, and tenderly bids us take up again the things that are left us. Woman, behold thy son! Behold thy mother!

II. There they are, duties, obligations, responsibilities, all waiting for us to fulfil.John was not to be forgotten or despised because Jesus is lost to her. He can never be the same, so we protested; no, never the same, never half as good. And yet for all that take it. There is something left. Accept it, whatever it be. It is something, it is well worth doing. You will learn to care for it, and interests will spring up again, and joys and hopes, loves not so strong or so lovely, however dear. Behold thy son! Yes, and take it up, whatever it be, the new duty, the interest, as the direct legacies of the dead. Receive it as a commission from the lost, a task from the departed. Remember what I said to you when I was with you, and for My sake put into it your heart, your affection. Behold thy son!

III. Does not death always leave us some such possibilities as thesea new life that can be taken up, if we will, as the result of our bereavement? Turn from the dead and face the living, and for the sake of the dead embrace the new in the faithfulness of the mother turning away from the Cross and following John from that hour into the new home. Yes, and through it, as she did, not only in loyalty to your own lost and dead ones, but in loyalty to Him Who died on the Cross for you, and Who, in the very act of dying, foreseeing new duties and new joys ahead to those whom He loved most, as He would not have them linger idly absorbed in the shadows of their sorrow and their loss, as He did not fear that they would forget Him in engaging once again in daily occupations, so still from His throne He bids us turn from the grave, and in His name re-enter the paths of duty, treasure such loves and joys as remain, treasure them for His sake, trust in His safe keeping all that we have lost, and He will keep them until that day.

Rev. Canon H. Scott Holland.

Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary

6

The disciple whom he loved was John, the writer of this book (chapter 21:20, 24). Behold thy son. The term son comes from HUIOS, which has a great many shades of meaning besides the one commonly used. Thayer says it is sometimes used “of one who depends on another.” Jesus used it in that sense as may be seen in the following verse. When he told his mother to behold John as her son, he meant for her to depend on him for support.

Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

[Woman, behold thy son!] I. “The widow is maintained by the goods of the heirs ” [of him that is deceased] “so long as she remain a widow, till she receive her dower.”

II. Joseph being deceased, and Jesus now dying, there were no heirs, and probably no goods or estate, for the support and maintenance of his mother Mary. This, Christ at his last breath takes particular care of; and probably had made provision before; for it is hardly conceivable that this was the first overture he had with St. John in this affair, but that he had obtained a promise from him, in his mother’s behalf, some time before this. And hence perhaps that peculiar love he bore to him beyond all the rest. So that those words, Woman, behold thy son! and on the other side to him, Behold thy mother! seem no other than as if he had said, “This man, from the time that thou art now deprived of thy son, shall be in the stead of a son to thee, and shall cherish and provide for thee”: and so, vice versa, to his disciple John.

Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels

Joh 19:26-27. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom be loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold, thy son. Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother; and from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home. The act thus recorded has been variously interpreted; by some as in its main purpose an act of filial care for the mother whose soul was now about to be pierced by the sword spoken of in the prophetic word of Simeon (Luk 2:35); by others as a formal renunciation of her, that He may surrender Himself wholly to the will of His heavenly Father. It is in the first of these two lights that we must chiefly regard it. Then we can best explain the words of Joh 19:27, which are evidently the Evangelists commentary upon what had just passed; and the renunciation spoken of had really taken place at chap. Joh 2:4.

Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament

Jesus addressed his mother by saying, "Dear woman" (Gr. gynai, cf. 2:4). This was an affectionate and respectful way of speaking to her. Mary’s grief must have been very great (cf. 2:38). Even as He hung dying an excruciatingly painful death, Jesus compassionately made provision for his mother. The language Jesus used was legal and quite similar to the terms used commonly in adoption proceedings. [Note: Carson, The Gospel . . ., p. 616.] His action indicates that He was the person responsible for His mother, implying that Joseph was no longer alive and that He was her eldest son. Most interpreters assume that Joseph had died by now. Jesus’ act also placed Mary under John’s authority, a position that some Roman Catholics have found very uncomfortable in view of their doctrine of Mary’s supremacy.

This was Jesus’ third recorded saying from the cross.

Jesus’ Words on the Cross

	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
"Father, forgive them."			Luk 23:34
"Today you shall be with me in paradise."			Luk 23:43
"Woman, behold your son," and "Behold, your mother."				Joh 19:26-27
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"	Mat 27:46	Mar 15:34
"I thirst."				Joh 19:28
"It is finished."				Joh 19:30
"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."	Mat 27:50		Luk 23:46

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)