John and Mary's relationship

[Luciano Vinci]

I am wondering the reason why Jesus left the care of His mother to John and not to one of His younger siblings. Jewish custom, I am told, is that the eldest son takes care of the mother (assuming Joseph is dead, which I am pretty sure is the reason for this commission to John). What was wrong with James or Jude? Were they not followers of Christ yet? Did they only know Him as brother and not Lord, while John recognized His deity? Anyhow, I have never heard a good explanation for this event, everything I've heard has been widely speculative.

[Old man]

I am wondering the reason why Jesus left the care of His mother to John and not to one of His younger siblings. Jewish custom, I am told, is that the eldest son takes care of the mother (assuming Joseph is dead, which I am pretty sure is the reason for this commission to John). What was wrong with James or Jude? Were they not followers of Christ yet? Did they only know Him as brother and not Lord, while John recognized His deity? Anyhow, I have never heard a good explanation for this event, everything I've heard has been widely speculative.

The scriptures do not give the reason why Jesus did it but even the disciples belief in His deity may have been more circumstantially oriented; meaning while He was among them doing miracles they had no problem with the idea of His divinity. When He died however much of that “faith?” seemed to be wiped out at least until His resurrection. Concerning James; the scriptures doesn’t say when he came to faith only that Christ appeared to him after He arose from the grave. It may have been that event that persuaded James to believe that his older brother was indeed the Christ much like Paul’s conversion.

[SirToady]

I am wondering the reason why Jesus left the care of His mother to John and not to one of His younger siblings. Jewish custom, I am told, is that the eldest son takes care of the mother (assuming Joseph is dead, which I am pretty sure is the reason for this commission to John). What was wrong with James or Jude? Were they not followers of Christ yet? Did they only know Him as brother and not Lord, while John recognized His deity? Anyhow, I have never heard a good explanation for this event, everything I've heard has been widely speculative.

A good question, but I'm certain there were good reasons that we may never know as to why Christ selected John to care for Mary. To receive such a charge from Christ at the Cross must have made a great impact on John. No doubt that Mary herself would have been a primary target of the enemies of Christ.

[jayne]

I have no answer based on evidence, only my own presumption.

If I were hanging on a cross and I looked down and saw my mother standing there broken and her soul pierced, and I only saw one man standing there with her - not even my own brothers there to support her - it would be a no-brainer as to whom I would choose to take my place as oldest child and caretaker of my mother.

I would want someone fearless and who would stand by her and with against anything.

[Vhayes]

I agree with Jayne (she's GOOD!!)

I would also say that The Lord knew John would live to an old age and would therefore be around to care for Mary. I "think" Jesus' brothers were martyred at an early-ish age?

[jayne]

I agree with Jayne (she's GOOD!!)

I would also say that The Lord knew John would live to an old age and would therefore be around to care for Mary. I "think" Jesus' brothers were martyred at an early-ish age?

Thanks, dear.

You are right, John did live a long time and church tradition does say that Jesus' brother James was martyred. History says he was stoned or beaten to death. I don't know about Jude. And I can't remember the other brother's name.

[markedward]

(Just in case you're interested: James (the guy who presided over the council in Acts 15, writer of the epistle, and mentioned a few times by Paul) lived until the middle of 62 AD, when he was stoned to death in a rigged court hearing, when Judea was in-between Roman governors. Later accounts that describe him as being thrown from the top of the temple are fanciful embellishments. Aside from the death of James son of Zebadiah (recorded in Acts), the death of James the brother of Jesus is the only indisputable account of one of Jesus' apostles dying, as it was recorded by a contemporary, the Jewish historian Josephus.)

[Vhayes]

(Just in case you're interested: James (the guy who presided over the council in Acts 15, writer of the epistle, and mentioned a few times by Paul) lived until the middle of 62 AD, when he was stoned to death in a rigged court hearing, when Judea was in-between Roman governors. Aside from the death of James son of Zebadiah (recorded in Acts), the death of James the brother of Jesus is the only indisputable account of one of Jesus' apostles dying, as it was recorded by a contemporary, the Jewish historian Josephus.)

Thanks, Markedward. I guess I was wrong.

[RogerW]

I am wondering the reason why Jesus left the care of His mother to John and not to one of His younger siblings. Jewish custom, I am told, is that the eldest son takes care of the mother (assuming Joseph is dead, which I am pretty sure is the reason for this commission to John). What was wrong with James or Jude? Were they not followers of Christ yet? Did they only know Him as brother and not Lord, while John recognized His deity? Anyhow, I have never heard a good explanation for this event, everything I've heard has been widely speculative.

Perhaps Christ' reference to Mary as "woman" instead of mother gives us some insight. He could have said "Mother, behold thy son", but it seems as though that would have caused even greater pain. Reminding her that her beloved child is suffering such agony in His body of flesh. It seems the impact of her suffering might be somewhat relieved if Mary can begin to see her beloved Son as her Savior instead of dwelling on His human agony. In this she can at least understand His suffering in the flesh serves a greater good for mankind.

As far as why John, and not her own sons, I would agree that perhaps His own brothers had yet to KNOW Him as Christ Messiah, Savior of the world.