The Gospel of Matthew: The First Three Hours on the Cross. Mary and John.  

²⁵ “but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he 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 to his own home.” (John 19:25–27 (ESV)

In our study of the Gospel of Matthew’s record of the Passion Week of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is necessary, and insightful, to examine all four Gospel accounts. This discipline provides us understanding of all the events and encounters which took place during those hours.

We continue to examine what occurred during the first three hours of Jesus’ crucifixion. Today’s focus is Jesus’ concern for His mother Mary as He hung on the cross.  

Perhaps one of the lesser known truths of Jesus’ incarnation was the prophetic statement by Simeon (Luke 2:22-35). Simeon was a righteous and devout man upon whom was the Holy Spirit. He was waiting for the Messiah, the consolation of Israel (Isaiah 25:9; 40:1-2; 66:1-11). Upon seeing the young baby Jesus, Simeon was filled with praise to God (Luke 2:28-32).

Simeon also blessed Mary and Joseph and said to Mary, “³⁴Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed ³⁵(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed,” (Luke 2:34-35 ESV). The reference to a sword predicted Mary would experience great grief as she watched her son Jesus die in agony on the cross.

John mentioned several women at the scene at Golgotha. These include Mary His mother, Jesus’ aunt, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. “Although the exact number of women mentioned here is questioned, John probably refers to four women rather than three, i.e., two by name and two without naming them,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

• “His mother” (Mary).
• “His mother’s sister” (probably Salome [Mark 15:40], the sister of Mary and mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee [Matt. 27:56–57; Mark 15:40]). This means James and John were Jesus’ cousins.
• “Mary the wife of Clopas” (the mother of James the younger and Joses—Matt. 27:56).
• Mary Magdalene (“Magdalene” signifies “Magdala” a village on the west shore of Galilee, 2 or 3 miles north of Tiberias). Jesus healed Mary of demon possession (Luke 8:2–3). Mary Magdalene would be prominent in the resurrection account (see John 20:1–18.

“Why just these four are mentioned here in 19:25 has not been revealed. It is not improbable that they stood in closer relation to the Lord than other women. Thus, for example, the mother of Jesus is mentioned, and also the mother of the sons of Zebedee (who were disciples of Jesus, belonging to the inner three). A comparison between Matthew’s list and that of Mark would seem to indicate that the name of the mother of James and John was Salome,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.

Jesus said to Mary ““Woman, behold, your son!” It was kind for Jesus to say “woman” to Mary and not mother. To say the latter would have driven the metaphorical sword even deeper into her heart and soul. When Jesus said “behold your son” He referenced John, who alone stood nearby.

“By saying, “Woman, look! Your son!” Jesus is committing Mary to the care of John, who, as has been shown (see 19:25), may well have been her own nephew, the son of her sister Salome. It seems that John had a lodging in Jerusalem (so did Peter; see on 20:2), though his real home was in Galilee. The question might be raised, “But why was not Mary committed to the care of one of her other children?” The answer is: probably because they as yet had not received him by a living faith (see on 7:5). And besides, who could be expected to take better care of Mary than the disciple whom Jesus loved? To that disciple Jesus said, “Look! Your mother!” John immediately understood, and from that hour took her to his own home,” states Dr. Hendriksen.

Soli deo Gloria!