Jesus' Family near the Cross: A Redaction-Critical Study of John 19:25-27 in Light of Its Synoptic Parallel

One of the artworks recurrent in Christian churches is the depiction of the scene at the foot of the Cross. Notably, this art seems to follow the Gospel of John more closely, which describes women as standing near Jesus’ cross (Jn 19:25), in contrast to the Synoptic Gospels, where women are portrayed as looking from a distance (Mt 27:55; Mk 15:40; Lk 23:49). Although this scene has been a subject of scholarly discussion, limited attention has been given to the spatial positioning of the individuals depicted, their number, and their identities in relation to the Synoptic accounts. This study therefore seeks to address these aspects and to explore whether there exists a distinctive Johannine motif.