12: Jesus commends his mother and his friend
Jesus is alone, carrion crows circle, and as he perhaps drifts in and out of consciousness, his mother and his friend John have come to say farewell; the music in two concurrent parts depicts them both, and their feelings as he commends them to each other.
“Meanwhile, standing near Jesus's cross were his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, 'Woman, here is your son.' Then he said to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”
John 19:25-27
Still thinking of others Jesus wants to make sure that his mother is protected, has a home and is financially supported.
Commentary by Revd Catherine Shelley