“Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from then on this disciple took her into his home.”
John 19:27 (NLT)
John often refers to himself simply as “the disciple Jesus loved.” He does so humbly, without naming himself or drawing attention to his role. Yet when we slow down and compare John’s account of the crucifixion with Matthew and Mark, something becomes clear. Mary’s sister appears to be Salome—the mother of the sons of Zebedee. That means John, the disciple writing this Gospel, is actually Jesus’ cousin.
As the story moves into verses 26 and 27, we see something deeply personal unfold. Jesus entrusts His mother to John as a son, and then gives Mary to John as a mother. John honors Jesus’ request immediately, taking Mary into the care of his home.
There is a lot happening here. The women who followed Jesus did not stay behind when He went to Jerusalem. Mark tells us they followed Him and served Him in Galilee. Matthew says they came with Jesus to care for Him. These women were not just witnesses to His death—they were faithful servants who stayed close. And among them, it appears John was the only disciple close enough to hear Jesus speak.
This moment also tells us something important about Mary’s situation. Joseph is no longer present, which suggests Mary is now a widow. And Jesus’ earthly brothers, though present in the broader story, did not yet believe. Before the resurrection, Jesus entrusts His mother not to unbelieving family, but to a disciple who is faithful, spiritually aligned, and close.
John stays when others leave. He doesn’t name himself. He doesn’t draw attention to the honor of being chosen. Like the women at the cross, he simply serves. Later, this same man becomes the apostle of love, writing letters that help us understand what love truly is. Love mattered deeply to John—and that closeness mattered to Jesus.
This scene invites us to slow down and ask some honest questions. Who has God placed near us that we are meant to love like family? Who might need spiritual care when biological support is missing? And who do we need to stay close to so we can learn how to love the way Jesus loves?