Commentary on Revelation

Epiphanius of Salamis (310–403)

When the Savior was on the cross, the Lord turned, as the Gospel according to John tells us, "and saw the disciple whom he loved, and said to him of Mary, 'Behold thy mother.' And to her he said, 'Behold thy son.' " If Mary had children and her husband was alive, why did he entrust Mary to John and John to Mary? Why not rather entrust her to Peter? Why not to Andrew, Matthew and Bartholomew? But it is plain that he entrusted her to John because of virginity. For he says, "Behold thy mother," even though physically she was not John's mother; he says this to show that as the originator of virginity she was his mother, since the life began with her.… For if she had not truly been the mother who bore him, he would not have taken care to entrust the Ever-virgin to John—his mother because of the incarnation, but in his honor undefiled and the wondrous vessel. But the Gospel says, "And from that day he took her unto his own home." But if she had a husband, a home, children, she would return to her own home and not to someone else's.… Indeed, when this had been done and John had taken her to himself, she did not yet live with him. If any think I am mistaken, moreover, let them search…

See also

• More works by Epiphanius of Salamis

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