19:26 behold thy son. This brief conversation with John, then with His mother, constituted the “second word from the cross” (see Luke 23:34 for the first). Even in the midst of His own sufferings, He shared His mother’s sufferings (compare Luke 2:35). It is sad to note that His brothers were not present with their mother. Presumably they had remained in Galilee while Mary had decided to journey to Jerusalem with Jesus and the other women.

19:27 Behold thy mother. Jesus was providing here for His mother, not for John, as some have thought. John’s own mother was also there at the crucifixion (Matthew 27:56).