Jesus the Son of Man · Chapter
A Widow in Galilee explained
A widow in Galilee laments that her only son abandoned her and their land to follow Jesus, whom she blames for his departure.
What happens
A widow in Galilee laments that her only son abandoned her and their land to follow Jesus, whom she blames for his departure. She expresses deep bitterness and hatred toward Jesus, believing He is evil for separating her from her son, and she approves of His crucifixion.
Themes in this chapter
Misunderstanding and Betrayal
The widow feels betrayed by her son's departure and misunderstands Jesus' intentions, seeing him as an evil influence.
Suffering and Sacrifice
The widow's suffering is highlighted as she is left alone, and her son's sacrifice of family ties is implied.
Characters to notice
- Jesus
Referenced as the Nazarene, blamed by the widow for taking her son away.
- A Widow in Galilee
The narrator, a grieving mother who hates Jesus for causing her son to leave.
Key passages
“My son was my first and my only born. He laboured in our field and he was contented until he heard the man called Jesus speaking to the multitude.”
My only son was content working our land until he heard Jesus speak to the crowd.
The widow describes how her son's life changed after hearing Jesus.
“That man Jesus of Nazareth was evil, for what good man would separate a son from his mother?”
Jesus of Nazareth must be evil because no good person would take a son away from his mother.
The widow's rationale for hating Jesus.
“And now the Romans and the priests have laid hold upon Jesus and crucified Him; and they have done well.”
The Romans and priests crucified Jesus, and that was the right thing to do.
The widow approves of Jesus' crucifixion.