John 19

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priest answered, We have no king but Caesar.

Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

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.

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

What does John 19:26 mean?

Explanation

John 19:26 narrates a poignant scene during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, reported by the apostle John who is believed to be the “disciple whom He loved”.

As Jesus suffers on the cross, His attention turns to His mother Mary and to John, who stands beside her.

In this moment, Jesus addresses Mary as “Woman” and instructs her to consider John as her son.

Conversely, He tells John to look upon Mary as his own mother.

This exchange is symbolic, serving to establish a new familial relationship between Mary and John, one based not on blood ties but on spiritual kinship.

This act by Jesus illustrates His care for His mother’s well-being after His death and reflects the important Christian teaching of community and mutual care among believers.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, the role of the eldest son was to ensure the welfare of his mother should she be widowed.

Without a husband or son to support her, a woman's prospects in first-century Judean society were grim.

Jesus' step in entrusting His mother to John ensures her care and reflects the responsibilities He bore as the eldest son.

This scenario plays out during the larger event of the crucifixion, which, in Christian belief, is the culminating act of Jesus’ mission to provide atonement for humanity's sins.

John, believed to be a younger disciple and possibly a relative of Jesus, is present at the crucifixion when most other disciples had fled, indicating his close relationship with Jesus.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse is rich in deeper meaning.

Jesus' identification of Mary with the title "Woman" links back to Eve and forward to the Church, the "Woman" cloaked with the sun in Revelation 12, helping to elevate Mary's role as a figure of obedience and new life, in contrast to Eve's disobedience which brought death.

The act of entrusting Mary to John and vice versa symbolizes the formation of a new family bound by faith in Christ.

It underscores the idea that spiritual relationships in Christ can transcend biological ones.

Additionally, Jesus fulfilling His filial duty even during His execution reflects the perfect obedience to God's will characteristic of His ministry.

Practical Applications

In today's context, the instructions of Jesus to Mary and John can teach about the importance of spiritual community and caring for one another, especially among believers.

It challenges individuals to consider their responsibilities towards their spiritual family, especially towards those who are in need or vulnerable.

Moreover, it reminds Christians to extend care and inclusion to those beyond their immediate biological families, affirming the value of chosen kinship bound by common faith and mutual support.

Cross-References

John 13:23: "Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved."
Matthew 12:48-50: "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?..."
Ephesians 2:19: "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;"
Revelation 12:1: "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun..."

Language Study

The Greek word for "woman" used here is "γύναι" (gynai), which is a nominal form of address akin to "lady" and does not carry the harshness that may be perceived in the English translation.

The phrase "behold thy son" carries imperative force, conveying both the command and the tender care behind it. The original language emphasizes both the instruction and the care embodied in Jesus’ words, showing the depth of His concern and responsibility despite His suffering.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient times, various cultures had practices for adoption and creating kinship ties not based on blood. In Roman society, for example, adoption was a common practice for consolidating power and alliances.

This verse, however, deviates from mere practicality and imbues the formation of new kinship with profound spiritual significance.

Comparatively, in various religions, there is the concept of a spiritual family, a community of believers who support each other beyond biological ties, such as the Ummah in Islam or the Sangha in Buddhism.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific inquiries do not typically intersect with Scriptural verses in a direct manner.

However, contemporary psychology recognizes the importance of supportive social networks for mental well-being. The formation of chosen families can promote emotional support and social cohesion, which are acknowledged as significant factors for individual resilience and community health.

Commentaries

Commentaries on this verse vary, but many agree on its significance regarding Jesus’ care and respect for His mother, fulfilling His earthly responsibilities to ensure she was cared for.

Some also emphasize the deeper spiritual and ecclesiological meanings, noting the establishment of a precedent for Christian relationship dynamics.

Matthew Henry notes that Christ died caring for His relatives, which teaches us to take care of ours.

William Barclay points out this act as demonstrating personal relationships and love standing firm against the pain of the cross.

Other scholars see the creation of a new spiritual family as prefiguring the Church, where all believers are interrelated through their faith in Jesus.

John 19

John 19

What does John 19:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 19:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?