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John 19:26
ESV When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
NIV When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, 'Woman, here is your son,'
NASB So when Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He *said to His mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!'
CSB When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son."
NLT When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, 'Dear woman, here is your son.'
KJV When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

What does John 19:26 mean?

The disciples' fearful abandonment of Jesus is reflected in their absence at the cross (John 16:32). Only John—often referred to vaguely as one loved by Jesus (John 13:23)—is known to be there. If other disciples are watching, they are very far away (Luke 23:49). Also present are at least four women who are followers of Jesus (John 19:25). One of those women is Jesus' own mother, Mary (Matthew 1:16). An early prophecy about her involvement in Jesus' life (Luke 2:35) is coming true as she watches Him die.

Jesus refers to Mary using a polite, formal title, much as He did when speaking to her at the wedding in Cana (John 2:4). What He says to here is not a request for attention. He does not mean, "look at me, your son, and what is happening to me." As the next verse shows, Jesus is referring to John (John 10:27), telling Mary to now consider him her own son. By telling John to see Mary as his own mother, Jesus is ensuring that Mary will be cared for.

This might be a short-term provision, as Jesus has other siblings who ought to be able to care for Mary (Mark 3:31). He may only need John to take her in until she's able to reconnect with those family members. However, those other brothers and sisters are not yet supportive of Jesus' ministry (John 7:5). It's possible that with Jesus gone, there is no one else willing or able to see to her welfare. The suggestion that John "took her to his own home" (John 19:27) implies this is a permanent arrangement.
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