3. Woman, behold, your son! … Behold, your mother!

The word of relationship.

Woman, behold your son!… Behold your mother!
— John 19:26–27

This statement is traditionally called "The Word of Relationship" and in it Jesus entrusts Mary, his mother, into the care of the disciple whom Jesus loved.

Jesus addresses his mother as "woman". Although this sounds dismissive in English, the Greek word is a term of respect or tenderness.

Catholic commentators, on the basis of these two passages, often connect Mary with the "woman" of Genesis 3:15 and the “woman clothed with the sun” in Revelation 12" and therefore see this title of "woman" as a justification for the veneration of Mary as a second Eve.

We adore you O Christ and praise you, because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.