John 19:26

whom he loved See on John 18:23. The expression here is not a mere periphrasis to avoid giving the name, still less a boastful insertion: it explains why Jesus committed the two to one another. (See Introduction, ii. iii. 3 b.)

Woman See on John 2:4.

behold thy son.] If, as has just been maintained (2nd note on John 19:25), S. John was the Virgin's nephew, and if, as is probable (see on John 2:12), Christ's -brethren" were the sons of Joseph by a former marriage, the fact that Christ committed His mother to her nephew and His own beloved disciple rather than to her step-sons requires no explanation. Even if His -brethren" were the sons of Joseph and Mary, their not believing on Him (John 7:5) would sufficiently account for their being set aside; and we have no evidence that they believed until after the Resurrection (Acts 1:14).