"Woman, behold your son..."

[Usagi]

When I was in RCIA more than twenty years ago, we used a lovely set of information sheets. One of those suggested yet a third interpretation of these words of Jesus. It’s clearly not the primary meaning intended at the time, so please don’t jump on me for an incorrect reading, but I do rather like this one.

The idea is that Jesus was in some way also making reference to the very first messianic prophecy, given to the serpent in Genesis. It is as though, in addition to speaking to Mary about the immediate situation, He is speaking to Eve across the generations – “Woman, behold! Here is the Son of yours who crushes the serpent’s head!”

Again, obviously not the immediate context, but much like many passages from the OT that the Gospel writers reinterpreted as foreshadowing of Jesus, it makes sense as a meaning the Church drew out of the passage over time.

 

[setarcos]

Friard,

I can see the writing is on the wall, to use the biblical phrase.

And I’m happy to be corrected

I thank you for your own intervention in that regard.

I should also note that I wasn’t intending to be difficult in anyway.

Very noble of you. I tip my hat to your wisdom.

 

[friardchips]

When I was in RCIA more than twenty years ago, we used a lovely set of information sheets. One of those suggested yet a third interpretation of these words of Jesus. It’s clearly not the primary meaning intended at the time, so please don’t jump on me for an incorrect reading, but I do rather like this one.

The idea is that Jesus was in some way also making reference to the very first messianic prophecy, given to the serpent in Genesis. It is as though, in addition to speaking to Mary about the immediate situation, He is speaking to Eve across the generations – “Woman, behold! Here is the Son of yours who crushes the serpent’s head!”

Again, obviously not the immediate context, but much like many passages from the OT that the Gospel writers reinterpreted as foreshadowing of Jesus, it makes sense as a meaning the Church drew out of the passage over time.

While Genesis does prefigure, this interpretation only makes sense if Mary is recognised in this interpretation as the New Eve, and not without.