Why the disciple took Jesus' mother unto his own home?

Question

26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. - KJV John 19:26,27

We are not seeing Joseph near cross? Why did Jesus hand over his mother to his disciple? Where are his brothers and his father? Is there a history attached to it?

Answer 1

SO, according to Tradition, Joseph had long since passed when Jesus even began his ministry, making him ineligible. The next question is "Why didn't Jesus entrust his mother to one of his step-brothers then?"

1. There is no substantial evidence that he had step-brothers. As the Aramaic word for "brother" is better understood "kinsman", it is quite possible that Christ had no step-brother, only kinsmen (meaning that he may have only had cousins)
2. The Apostle John WAS A COUSIN of Christ. The point is made here, but if you really want a better explanation you should contact Dr. Glasov at Seton Hall University. He has a cool chart and some nifty textual criticism.
3. As both a cousin and the beloved disciple, John was in the unique situation of being both the most faithful to Christ and a close blood relative. As such, he was probably the best choice to be given this honor.

Answer 2

Has anyone ever argued that it was "because God wanted him to go on to write Revelation and needed a model of the Heavenly Jerusalem"?

I don't know, beyond that, Catholics believe that Jesus "Gave us His Mother" at that point and we all should take her into our home.

The words of Jesus to the beloved disciple: "Behold your mother" (Jn 19:27), assume a particular depth in the life of consecrated persons. They are invited to consider Mary as their mother and to love her as Christ loved her. More especially, they are called to take her into their home, as John "took her into his home" (literally "among his possessions"--Jn 19:27). Above all, they must make room for her in their hearts and in their life. They must seek an ever greater development of their relationship with Mary, model and Mother of the Church, model and Mother of communities, model and Mother of all whom Christ calls to follow him. (Pope John Paul II, Mar 29 1995 Audience)

Whether this is scripture interpreting scripture or useless conjecture is up to you to decide.

Answer 3

According to Orthodox/Catholic tradition (mariology), in this moment Mary is given to the beloved disciple (john), and all the faithful so that she would be in a position to pray for her children (the church) as a physical mother does. As the mother of Jesus (Mother of God), Jesus honers Mary in a unique way. (Honor your father and mother). Catholics see The Wedding Feast at Cana as evidence that Jesus takes his Mother's petitions very seriously. Seriously enough, in fact, that his first miracle (recorded), and the beginning of his public ministry would be at the petition of his mother.

John 2:3-5 New Living Translation (NLT)

3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”