John 19 26

John 19:26 kjv

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

John 19:26 nkjv

When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!"

John 19:26 niv

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son,"

John 19:26 esv

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"

John 19:26 nlt

When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son."

John 19 verses

John 19 26 Meaning

At the cross, amidst His intense suffering, Jesus, seeing His mother Mary and the beloved disciple John standing nearby, entrusted the care of His mother to John, signifying not only an act of profound personal filial duty but also the establishment of a new spiritual family bond and the formation of the nascent Christian community centered on mutual love and care. This moment represents Jesus' enduring love and provision even in death, extending His earthly family ties into the new covenant household of God.

John 19 26 Context

John 19:26 is situated amidst the profound and harrowing scene of Jesus' crucifixion. This moment follows the unjust trial and brutal scourging, leading up to Jesus' final breaths on the cross. Prior to this, the Roman soldiers had divided Jesus' garments and cast lots for His seamless tunic, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. The surrounding verses depict the harsh reality of Roman execution and the varied reactions of onlookers, including scoffing priests, mocking passersby, and a sympathetic centurion (in other Gospel accounts). Importantly, John uniquely emphasizes the presence of Jesus' mother, her sister, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the wife of Clopas, standing near the cross (Jn 19:25). Against this backdrop of physical agony and spiritual accomplishment, Jesus, in a singular act of both personal devotion and divine orchestration, ensures His mother's future care, thereby establishing a model for the burgeoning community of believers and highlighting His compassion even in the face of death.

John 19 26 Word analysis

• When Jesus saw (Ἰησοῦς οὖν ἰδὼν - Iēsous oun idōn):

  • Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous - Jesus): The specific, historical Son of God, identifying the subject of this compassionate action.
  • οὖν (oun - therefore/so/then): A connecting particle indicating continuation, drawing attention to Jesus' action as a consequence or development in the narrative.
  • ἰδὼν (idōn - seeing, aorist participle of ὁράω - horāō): Emphasizes that this act was initiated by Jesus' direct perception. Despite immense physical suffering, Jesus remained fully aware of His surroundings and His human responsibilities. It suggests a conscious and deliberate observation, not a mere glance.

• his mother (τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ - tēn mētera autou):

  • μητέρα (mētera - mother): Specifically identifies Mary, His earthly mother, emphasizing the direct familial bond. Her presence at the foot of the cross signifies her deep love, unwavering presence, and profound shared sorrow with her Son.

• there (ἐκεῖ - ekei):

  • ἐκεῖ (ekei - there): Implies Mary's close proximity to the cross, contrasting with the many women watching "from a distance" in other Gospel accounts (e.g., Matt 27:55, Mark 15:40). Her nearness suggests courage and unique devotion.

• and the disciple whom he loved (καὶ τὸν μαθητὴν ὃν ἠγάπα - kai ton mathētēn hon ēgapa):

  • μαθητὴν (mathētēn - disciple): Identifies him as one of Jesus' followers.
  • ὃν ἠγάπα (hon ēgapa - whom He loved, imperfect of ἀγαπάω - agapao): This unique Johannine phrase ("the beloved disciple," often identified as John, the presumed author of this Gospel) highlights a special, intimate, and affectionate bond. The imperfect tense might suggest a continuing or characteristic love. It signifies not favoritism but a disciple who deeply grasped Jesus' love and teaching, making him a fitting recipient of this sacred trust and a representative of true discipleship.

• standing nearby (ἑστῶτα ἐγγύς - hestōta engys):

  • ἑστῶτα (hestōta - standing, perfect active participle of ἵστημι - histēmi): Denotes a fixed, unwavering presence, implying resolve and steadfastness in the face of unimaginable horror.
  • ἐγγύς (engys - nearby, close): Further emphasizes the close proximity of John, standing with Mary, demonstrating loyalty and courage.

• he said to her (λέγει τῇ μητρί - legei tē mētri):

  • λέγει (legei - he says, present tense): The historical present adds immediacy and vividness to the narrative, as if the words are being spoken in real-time. Jesus' initiative in addressing them indicates intentionality.

• "Woman" (Γύναι - Gynai):

  • Γύναι (Gynai): This address, though sounding brusque in modern English, was a respectful, formal, and sometimes even tender address in Koine Greek (as seen in John 2:4). It carries no disrespect and instead sets a tone of authority and solemnity, particularly appropriate for a pronouncement on a grave matter, or potentially connecting Mary to the universal womanhood and even Eve, signifying the birth of a new humanity or spiritual lineage through her.

• "here is your son" (Ἴδε ὁ υἱός σου - Ide ho huios sou):

  • Ἴδε (Ide - Behold/Look/Here is): An imperative indicating a directive, pointing to a reality or truth. It draws attention to John.
  • ὁ υἱός σου (ho huios sou - your son): This phrase transcends mere physical relationship. Jesus is formally transferring a filial responsibility. It suggests a new kind of sonship, one born out of shared faith and love, signifying John becoming Mary's appointed caretaker and representative of the new family of God she is now to embrace. It signifies spiritual adoption and communal care, establishing a new family not based on blood but on Spirit.

John 19 26 Bonus section

The profound act of Jesus entrusting Mary to John not only establishes a precedent for filial piety and community care but also speaks to the profound solitude and comprehensive nature of Jesus' atoning work. While suffering alone to secure salvation, Jesus still actively made provision for His earthly mother's comfort, demonstrating His full humanity and unceasing compassion. Some scholars also interpret this exchange as John's symbolic representation of the ideal Church receiving Mary, perhaps embodying Israel or the Church herself, under the New Covenant's spiritual parentage. This moment highlights Jesus' final act of covenant-making, establishing a new social structure based on love and adoption, prefiguring the Christian home and community as a place of mutual support and belonging.

John 19 26 Commentary

John 19:26 reveals profound truths about Jesus, His mission, and the nascent Christian community. Even in the agonizing moments on the cross, Jesus demonstrated His unfailing love and profound care, not only for His mother but for all believers. His action transcends mere filial duty, embodying divine love and setting the groundwork for the future church.

By entrusting Mary to "the disciple whom he loved," Jesus establishes a vital spiritual principle. Mary, as Jesus' mother, represents the connection to the Old Covenant and the promise. John, the "beloved disciple," embodies the New Covenant follower, one intimately connected to Jesus through love and truth. The directive signifies that the beloved disciple, representing all true believers, would take Mary into his home (Jn 19:27). This act symbolically inaugurates a new family, a household of God founded on spiritual kinship rather than biological ties, foreshadowing the Christian community's mutual love and care for one another. This new family is centered on Christ, where believers are brothers, sisters, and mothers in spirit (Mark 3:35).

Jesus’ address to Mary as "Woman" echoes His address at the Wedding in Cana (John 2:4), signaling a shift from a purely familial relationship to a broader theological one. On the cross, it implies a more universal connection, moving Mary from being just "mother of Jesus" to a symbolic mother within the new spiritual family. This pivotal moment underscores that Christ's redemption establishes a new identity for humanity, bringing all who believe into one family under God. It also exemplifies Jesus' complete submission to God's will, ensuring that every detail, even His mother's temporal well-being, was managed before His ultimate sacrifice was complete. It's an act of loving provision, compassion, and divine order even unto death.

Practical applications from this verse include:

• Prioritizing familial responsibility: Even in the greatest of sufferings, Jesus fulfilled His human obligation to His mother, reminding us of the importance of honoring parents and providing for our families.
• Building Christian community: It demonstrates the foundational principle of mutual care within the church, where believers adopt spiritual "family" responsibilities for one another.
• Living out sacrificial love: Jesus’ action at such a dire moment illustrates ultimate self-giving love, where His concern extended beyond His own pain to the needs of others.