John 19:26
What does John 19:26 mean?
A plain-English look at John 19:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 19:26 means
From the cross, Jesus, seeing His mother and the beloved disciple (John himself) standing nearby, addresses His mother with compassion, saying, "Woman, behold, thy son!" This tender moment reveals Jesus' deep filial love and concern for His mother during His immense suffering. He ensures her care and protection, entrusting her not to His brothers, but to the disciple He loved, emphasizing the spiritual family formed by His followers. This act demonstrates His humanity and unwavering care.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold, thy son!
KJV
King James Version · 1611When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold, thy son!
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple who was dear to him, he said to his mother, Mother, there is your son!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus, therefore, having seen <FI>his<Fi> mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he was loving, he saith to his mother, `Woman, lo, thy son;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus therefore, seeing his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, says to his mother, Woman, behold thy son.
Context
This verse describes Jesus' poignant address to His mother from the cross, in the presence of the beloved disciple. It immediately follows the identification of those standing near the cross. This deeply personal interaction sets up the command to the disciple in the next verse, initiating a profound act of care and provision for His mother in His final moments, even as His own life ebbs away.
v.25These things therefore the soldiers did. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
v.26This passage
v.27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 2:4
And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
- John 21:24
This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true.
- John 21:7
That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea.
- John 13:23
There was at the table reclining in Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
- John 21:20
Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; who also leaned back on his breast at the supper, and said, Lord, who is he that betrayeth thee?
- John 20:2
She runneth therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him.
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