When Jesus refers to His mother as “woman” in the New Testament, it can seem strange or even disrespectful when taken out of context. However, the term “woman” (Greek: “gunē”) was not necessarily disrespectful in the cultural context of Jesus’ time. It was a common way to address a woman, not necessarily with any negative connotation, but more as a formal or respectful term, similar to “ma’am” in English.
The most notable instances where Jesus calls His mother “woman” are in John 2:4 and John 19:26:
1. John 2:4 (Wedding at Cana): “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.'”
– In this passage, Jesus uses “woman” when speaking to Mary at the wedding in Cana. While it may sound impersonal, it’s not dismissive. Instead, it indicates that Jesus is beginning to move into His public ministry and is no longer responding solely as Mary’s son but as the Son of God, with a sense of divine purpose.
2. John 19:26 (At the Cross): “When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!'”
– Here, Jesus is on the cross, and He addresses His mother in a way that distances Himself from the typical family relationship and instead points to a new relationship of spiritual significance. By calling her “woman,” He indicates the start of a new phase in her life and His ministry, where He entrusts her care to the Apostle John.
In both cases, Jesus’ use of “woman” serves a theological and relational purpose. It highlights His divine mission and the shift in His relationship with His earthly family. He is not being disrespectful, but rather pointing to a broader, more universal mission that transcends familial ties. The term “woman” in these contexts is not demeaning but has a deeper spiritual and symbolic meaning.
