Before the we examine the 'Marian dogmas' of the Catholic Church, I wanted to point out this account because it well illustrates the lack of understanding that Jehovah's Witnesses (and for that matter, Protestants!) have about the mother of Jesus. Witnesses and Protestants alike will point to this account and say, 'See! Jesus did not hold his mother in any particular respect because he called her '"Woman"!'

First of all, this would imply that Jesus did not respect the third of the Ten Commandments, to "honor" your mother and your father. But we know that can't be true, because Jesus did not sin — He kept the Law in all respects as God intended. He certainly honored His mother, just as He honored His heavenly Father! So what's going on here? Honor your mother and your Father .

This is another instance of Witnesses (and Protestants, too) knowing the Scriptures like the mail carrier knows the people of his route — superficially, not intimately. The apostle John (who, remember, was charged with taking care of Mary after Jesus' death and resurrection), wrote his gospel with a theological intent: throughout he gives glimpses of Jesus' divinity and of His fulfilling the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) prophecies.

In this instance, John is phrasing the account to imply fulfillment of Genesis 3:15, where God promised a future "woman" between whom and Satan there would be enmity, and between "her seed" and the seed of "the serpent." Jesus is that "seed" of the "woman", and that "woman" is the mother of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary! John uses the word "woman" both here at at the crucifixion when Jesus addresses His mother. (In fact, John ONLY uses the terms "mother of Jesus" and "woman" when speaking of Mary in his gospel — he never once uses her name, "Mary". Think of that! Why? Because John wants to make clear that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the "woman" prophesied in Genesis 3:15.

I invite your engagement with me on these questions. You may leave comments below, but please be sure to read our policy on commenting before doing so.