Luke 23:49Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The words of our Lord seem now to be fulfilled, wherein He said, When I shall be lifted up I will draw all men unto me. For when lifted upon the cross He drew to Him the thief and the centurion, besides some of the Jews also, of whom it follows, And all the people that came together smote their breasts.

There is no contradiction in that Matthew says, that the centurion seeing the earthquake marvelled, whereas Luke says that he marvelled, that Jesus while uttering the loud voice expired, shewing what power He had when He was dying. But in that Matthew not only says, at the sight of the earthquake, but added, and at the things that were done, he has made it clear that there was ample room for Luke to say, that the centurion marvelled at the death of the Lord. But because Luke also himself said, Now when the centurion saw what was done, he has included in that general expression all the marvellous things which took place at that hour, as if relating one marvellous event of which all those miracles were the parts and members.

Those who were acquainted with Jesus observed from a distance. This fulfills the scripture, "My neighbors stand afar off" (Psalm 37:12), as noted in Luke 23:49. Jesus was crucified before the Sabbath when actions were still permissible, and He was laid to rest before the Sabbath, allowing for mourning. The Sabbath restricts all labor, and grief must be restrained, as there is no place for work or lamentation during this sacred time.

O the breasts of the Jews, harder than the rocks! The judge acquits, the officer believes, the traitor by his death condemns his own crime, the elements flee away, the earth quakes, the graves are opened; the hardness of the Jews still remains immoveable, though the whole world is shaken.

Follow the evidence there, and it is declared.

(Refer to Matthew 27:55-56.)

By their smiting their breasts as if betokening a penitential sorrow, two things may be understood; either that they bewailed Him unjustly slain whose life they loved, or that remembering that they had demanded His death, they trembled to see Him in death still farther glorified. But we may observe, that the Gentiles fearing God glorify Him with works of public confession; the Jews only striking their breasts returned silent home.

At the foot of the cross of Jesus stand His mother, her sister, Mary Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. Who are these women, intimate companions of the Most Sweet Mother? Mary Cleopas was married to Cleopas, also known as Alphaeus, and was the mother of Josiah and James the Lesser, who were Jesus’ cousins. Mary Magdalene, who had experienced miraculous healing from her sins and unclean spirits, became a devoted follower of the Lord. She traveled with Him and supported His ministry with whatever provisions she could provide. It is this same profound love that brought her to the cross. Nearby, we find Salome, the wife of Zebedee and the mother of the apostles James and John, along with other women who had journeyed with Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem.

The Society of Jesus found itself in despair after losing Him. As soldiers arrived at Gethsemane to take Him away, His disciples scattered in fear. During Jesus' time of anguish, many of His followers were likely absent from Jerusalem. Among the two who dared to accompany Jesus to His trial, one was filled with sorrow for his betrayal, while the other, witnessing the final moments of Jesus, shared in the profound grief of His inconsolable mother. What can be said of the unfortunate betrayer who soon regretted his actions and took his own life? These were the once-promised heirs to the twelve thrones of their Master, given authority over the twelve tribes of Israel—a notion that seemed incredibly distant in that moment.

In the narrative of Jesus Christ's crucifixion as documented by Luke, it is important to recognize that he does not adhere strictly to a chronological sequence of events. Instead, he organizes his account through logical associations. Initially, he highlights the wonders that occurred at the moment of Christ's death, such as the sun's darkening and the tearing of the temple veil. Following this, he recounts Christ’s final words and His passing, although he presents this part of the story concisely.

In spite of the taunts and scorn directed at Jesus by His adversaries on Golgotha, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, Mary of Cleopas, and the Apostle John bravely drew near to His Cross. Archbishop Innocent posits that they approached only when darkness descended, believing it unsafe to openly show their love for Jesus beforehand, fearing that the enemies of His Mother might subject her to further mockery. However, it seems implausible that Mary could have remained distant from the sufferings of Her Son; indeed, the tender heart of the Mother longed to be with Him, amidst His painful isolation, encircled by hostile foes, without anyone to comfort Him in His suffering. Those who bear witness to anguish among adversaries can grasp how agonizing it is to suffer without the solace of anyone nearby. Yet, a mother’s heart comprehends this pain even more acutely, often ignoring potential dangers to remain near her child. Thus, we can surmise that once the soldiers completed their task and settled down to guard Jesus, John led the Mother of God through the crowd, accompanied by Mary Magdalene and Mary Cleopas, to stand at the foot of the Cross, undeterred by any threats. It’s possible that initially, they stood at a distance where Christ didn’t see them, likely due to the hostile crowd blocking the way. However, when those who harbored malice began to disperse, Our Lady and John, who protected her, quickly moved closer, positioning themselves where Jesus could behold them.

As Christ departed from this world, His Blessed Mother was left alone, with no one to care for her. Joseph had passed away, and the so-called brothers of the Lord, being the children of Mary Cleopas, were not even part of Jesus' circle of followers; thus, there were no other relatives present. When Jesus saw His Mother and His beloved disciple with her, He took pleasure in assigning the care of His Mother to this disciple, saying, "Woman, behold, your son," and directing her gaze towards John. Subsequently, He instructed John, directing his gaze to His Mother, "Behold, your mother!" John recounts this moment, noting that from that point on, he took her into his home and cared for her just as a son would. The Evangelists, Matthew and Mark, speak of the women witnessing Jesus’ death from a distance but do not mention the Mother of God, hinting that she may not have been present at her Son's final moments. It’s plausible that Jesus sought to shield His Mother from the immense sorrow of seeing Him crucified and communicated to John to take her away. Nevertheless, it must also be acknowledged that John couldn’t have left Our Lady alone during such a harrowing time. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that Mary remained at the foot of the Cross, or not far from it, while the onlookers stood in silence and watched.

But where were the other Apostles, apart from John? What of those steadfast followers of Christ who had vowed to accompany Him to His last moments in Jerusalem? Where was Peter, who confidently professed he would lay down his life for Him? At this moment of deep sorrow for their Master, whom they had recently acknowledged as the Son of God, their absence is quite conspicuous. They had scattered... Meanwhile, Judas was fleeing far from Golgotha, looking back. As for the other ten Apostles, where could they possibly be? Those whom Christ had called His friends during His farewell discourse, we find no mention of them in the Gospel narrative. However, understanding the events that transpired around this time allows us to speculate on the state of mind of the scattered Apostles. They, along with their contemporaries, expected the Messiah to be a triumphant King of Israel, overthrowing the Roman oppressors and subjugating all nations. Such was the prevailing Jewish understanding of the Messiah’s role, one which clung to them despite Christ emphasizing that His kingdom was not of this world.

Their aspirations led them to envision the positions they would hold in the Messiah’s kingdom, even disputing amongst themselves as to who would occupy the most honored positions. The "sons of thunder," John and James, had audaciously requested that they be granted seats of honor beside Him. Their faith in a glorious, conquering kingdom was so overwhelming that they failed to grasp the reality of Christ’s foretelling regarding His sufferings, death, and resurrection, which they deemed incompatible with their expectations. How could the Messiah suffer? Or die? Surely He would reign eternally and remain impervious to death. But the thought of resurrection, contingent upon death, was a profound enigma that they could not comprehend. They were perplexed that Jesus had not yet initiated His kingdom, questioning why He declined to embrace His Kingship when the eager crowds wished to exalt Him in Jerusalem. Although doubt began to overshadow their beliefs by the time Jesus embarked on His final journey, they followed Him, still loyal due to their love for Him as a Prophet and miracle worker. Thomas, declaring, "Let us go and die with Him!" encapsulated their troubled spirit.

Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem rekindled their hopes, temporarily restoring their dreams of His kingdom’s imminent arrival. However, once Jesus distanced Himself from the ruling authorities and the crowd's support dwindled, their hopes were once again dashed. When He was captured like a criminal and tried, they abandoned Him in fear, with Peter, the most dedicated among them, denying Him three times, even hesitant to utter His name. Yet, even after these events, they clung to the possibility of a miraculous deliverance from the impending execution, envisioning that He would ultimately conquer His enemies and establish His kingdom. Consequently, they mustered the courage to be present at Calvary, mingling among the throngs. But, sorrowfully, those aspirations went unfulfilled. Christ refrained from exhibiting His miraculous powers to evade crucifixion; instead, He interceded for His executioners. When He was nailed to the cross and the cruel mockers taunted Him, saying, "If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross," did doubt not creep into the hearts of the Apostles? Did they not beseech Him inwardly, "Lord! If You are the Son of God, save yourself and reveal Your kingdom. All will believe in You. O Lord! Do not delay. Come down! Come down, Lord!" If the Cross offered great temptation to the onlookers, did it not also ensnare the Apostles? Did it not plunge them into despair, disappointment, and sorrow? Observing their crucified Lord from a distance, pleading for Him to descend from the Cross, they could easily have succumbed to despair. Their dreams of a glorious Messianic reign lay in ruins; their aspirations for prominence in that kingdom had vanished—it was all lost!

How often had that kingdom seemed so near? They had questioned Jesus, inquiring about what they would receive for having left everything to follow Him. In response, Christ had promised that when He occupied His glorious throne, they too would sit on twelve thrones, judging the tribes of Israel. At that time, they failed to comprehend the true significance of His words and likely recalled them with sorrow and desperation, asking themselves, "Where are these promised thrones? Where is the throne of glory for Jesus? Is it not this Cross? Will we not share in His plight? Will we not be condemned like Him? What a tormenting situation He has brought us to! Why speak of thrones when a Cross lies in waiting?" oh, Lord! If You are the Son of God, come down quickly from the Cross and take Your seat upon the Throne of Glory! Their hearts, burdened with doubt and fear, mingled with fleeting hopes and ultimately despair, found themselves tormented as they skulked among the crowd surrounding Golgotha. They could not yet fathom the significance of the unfolding events, nor did they grasp that only through His death and resurrection could Christ triumph over the world. They had forgotten His parting words: "Take heart! I have overcome the world!"

Only after experiencing the Resurrection of the Lord and upon receiving the Holy Spirit did their once-stony hearts soften, and their minds, clouded by the false teachings regarding the kingdom, were illuminated. Only then did they understand, finding their voices to confidently proclaim the risen Christ. Thus, for us who seek to comprehend the mindset of the Apostles as they beheld their crucified Lord from afar, we ought not to condemn their doubts and disbelief, nor lament the occurrence of such feelings. It was the divine Father's design to lead the Apostles to a awakened faith through the trials of doubt that may seem inappropriate to us. It was only then that they reached a resolute and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ as the incarnate God, enabling them to boldly evangelize and challenge a pagan world. Consequently, all their uncertainties, disappointment, and despair were necessary, fulfilling God’s purpose.

And the crowd remained, watching (Luke 23:35). Let us, as sinners, stand humbly at the foot of the Lord's Cross! Let us mentally gather at the feet of the Suffering One, the only sinless entity who offered Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of humankind! Let us listen to what He communicates to us from the heights of His Cross, nearly two millennia after His redemptive sacrifice. Do we hear Him reminding us of the command he imparted to His Apostles during His last conversation with them? "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you" (John 13:34). Do we hear Him ask us: "Do you love one another? Do you recall that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13)? Do you remember that all will know you are my disciples if you possess love for one another (John 13:35)? Do we remember and carry out what I have instructed you? How shall we respond to our Lord, who suffered for us? Shall we muster the audacity to claim we remember His commandments and love one another as He loved us? No, let us instead confess, "Lord, You know everything; You know if we truly love You and adhere to Your commands. You know, O Lord, how Your adversary sows discord in Your fields, harvesting a bountiful crop of malice. You observe, my Lord, that our hearts are filled not with sacrificial and forgiving love for our neighbors but with pride, cruelty, and hatred. You see how those who name themselves as Christians worship not You, but their own egos, turning them into idols, sacrificing everything—including the happiness and even lives of those around them—for the comfort of this idol. You understand that according to the world’s distorted teachings, obedience to God and the fulfillment of His will have been supplanted by self-indulgence. Love for neighbors and aiding those in distress have been discarded for the pursuit of survival and the domination of the strong over the weak. You witness the nations at war with one another, the countless lives perishing in agony, rivers of innocent blood flowing before Your eyes. Do we dare claim, O Lord, that we fulfill Your commandments, that we bear the name of Christians for good reason? On the contrary! By our actions, replacing Your commandments with worldly teachings, we add to Your sufferings; we reenact Your crucifixion, Lord!

Yet, the adversaries of the Crucified were not the only ones present at the cross. There were also individuals whose hearts were burdened for the Divine Sufferer. Some distance away, a group of women stood, filled with torment and compassion. Many were those who had accompanied Him during His ministry in Galilee and had journeyed to the festival alongside other Galilean followers. The most notable among this fearful assembly included His mother, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Cleopas, the mother of James and Josiah, and Salome, the wife of Zebedee. Some drew closer to the cross, and the Savior’s weary gaze fell upon His holy Mother, who stood there, her heart pierced by sorrow, alongside the beloved disciple.

Indeed, amidst the crowd gathered near the cross, there are certain individuals whose hearts are aflame with deep love for the Savior. Present are His mother, His cherished disciple, and several women from Galilee. Yet, they remain apprehensive about approaching the cross, and in the midst of derision and mockery echoing around them, they do not find the courage to speak. Consequently, there is not a single expression of compassion or comfort, nor a single tender word of affection offered to the Lord Jesus Christ during these agonizing moments.

"Standing at a distance" refers to those who were close to the Lord, likely individuals from Jerusalem and its surrounding areas, including His friends from Bethany and the host of the supper. It is reasonable to assume that prior to the Lord's crucifixion, some approached Him from the vicinity of Jerusalem. Yet, at the moment when the fervor of the crowd still lingered, they maintained their distance, watching the anguish of their Master and Savior. They may have felt it prudent to keep away from the One who was being ridiculed.

Those who were familiar with the Lord, including several devoted women who had ministered to Him from their homes and had traveled with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, stood back and observed all that transpired. Among the onlookers who wished to witness the conclusion were Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Cleopas (a relative of the Blessed Mother), the mother of James the Less and Josiah, and Salome, the mother of James the Greater and John, the sons of Zebedee. Gazing at the cross and the Lord who hung upon it, Salome was reminded with great sorrow of her earlier ambition to secure places of honor for her sons in Christ's earthly kingdom (Matthew 20:21). Now, she recognized the chalice of anguish and the baptism of suffering Christ had foretold to her and her sons (v. 22).