What does Luke 23:27 mean?

With Simon of Cyrene carrying the crossbeam, the soldiers march Jesus to Golgotha, the "Place of the Skull" (Mark 15:22). Members of the crowd who have just demanded Jesus' crucifixion follow. Not all who follow are complicit, however (Luke 23:50–51).

Only Luke includes the curious interaction between Jesus and mourning women. No details are given as to who they are. They may be some of Jesus' followers or just members of the crowd. Some scholars suggest these were professional mourners hired by a well-meaning follower, others suggest they were women who commonly gave soothing aid to the condemned.

While Jesus is on the cross, most of the bystanders mock Him. While all the apostles other than John hide, the women who were among His followers stay closer: Mary, Jesus' mother; her sister, Salome; Mary the wife of Clopas and mother of James and Joses; and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus hangs from the cross, they are so close He can speak to them (John 19:25–27; Mark 15:40), although they later move farther away (Luke 23:49).

Once He dies, however, "the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle … returned home beating their breasts" (Luke 23:48). It seems some of those easily tricked by the chief priests finally realize they have made a tragic mistake.

Jesus is more interested in the long-term effects of their betrayal. The coming destruction of Jerusalem will be so severe that women will wish they were infertile—an unthinkable curse in that culture. The people will beg the mountains to cover them with stones. At Jesus' death, the Jews and their Roman occupiers are on pleasant terms. That will not last. Within forty or so years, the people will start a civil war, and the Romans will burn Jerusalem (Luke 23:28–31).