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Commentaries
English
John
  
c) Christ's word to his mother
(John 19:25-27)
24b So the soldiers did this.25But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!"27Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John does not record Jesus’ first word from the cross, forgiving the whole world. Nor does he mention the continued mockery of the Jews, or Jesus’ pardon of the robber at his right hand. These events were already familiar in the church when John wrote.


When the priests left the site of the cross without hearing his supplication and his plea for the Father’s forgiveness, the crowds also left, rushing to Jerusalem to sacrifice Passover lambs. The time for preparation was short. The religious rulers also went to carry out the ritual for the great national feast. The bugles were sounded from city walls, the lambs slain in the temple, and blood flowed profusely. The temple resounded with praises. Outside Jerusalem hung the holy Lamb of God on the accused tree, forsaken and despised. The pagan Roman guards were guarding the three on crosses.
At that time, some women approached the cross quietly, and stood in silence. The preceding events baffled their minds. The Almighty was hanging over their heads in great pain. Words of comfort were not forthcoming, and hearts could hardly pray. Perhaps some were whispering texts from the Psalms.
Jesus heard the heartfelt cries of his mother, and understood the tears of his beloved disciple John. He did not think so much of his state, despite the approach of his coma. Suddenly they heard his voice, "Woman, behold your Son."
Christ’s love was to the uttermost, caring for the welfare of his loved ones in the midst of his suffering to ransom the world. What Simeon had predicated for the Virgin was fulfilled, that the sword would pierce her soul (Luke 2:35).
Unable to provide his mother with money or a home, he offered her the love he had poured into his disciples. John had come with Christ’s mother (Matthew 27:56), yet he does not mention his own name or the Virgin’s, so as not to detract from the honor due to Christ in this his hour of glory. When he addressed John and committed the mother to his care, then only did the disciple enter himself into the radiance of the cross. He embraced Mary and received her into his home.
The rest of the women witnessed this concern. The Lord had rescued one of them from seven devils. That was Mary Magdalene. She experienced Jesus’ victorious might in her soul. She loved her Savior and followed him.