A four part series of Bible studies by Pastor Stephen.
See also:
- Study 1: Mary, the Mother of our Lord
- Study 2: Mary Magdalene
- Study 3: Claudia, wife of Pontius Pilate
Study 4: The Daughters of Jerusalem
©Chris Gollon Stations of the Cross VIII: Jesus speaks to the daughters of Jerusalem [2000] (used with permission)
Introduction
Like the previous study on Claudia, this one focuses primarily on only one passage of Scripture from Luke – read Luke 23:26-31:
- How would you describe the context of this passage – what is the mood of the crowd?
- How does this passage leave you feeling?
- What do you see in the painting above?
Who were they?
The title “daughters of Jerusalem” is not unique to this passion story. It appears in the Old Testament too (Song of Songs 1) – as a complementary and respectful title for a beautiful woman. It seems to be one of those titles or phrases that consequently gained some wider usage as a designation for Jewish women.
The Hebrew way of describing a person’s association with something, someone or somewhere is to say “son of …” or “daughter of …” (eg. “sons of wrath”). “Daughters of Jerusalem” is a popular designation for women who are faithful worshippers of God – devoted to Jerusalem (that is, the temple).
So rather than some special separate grouping of women, the “daughters of Jerusalem” in Luke 23 were a group of devout Jewish women who had gathered on that occasion in response to the events of Jesus’ passion. Jesus’ use of this title (and his prophecy of woe following) makes it unlikely that it included women who were his followers.
Why were they crying for Jesus?
These women were not crying in some highly emotional and spontaneous outburst in the same way in which it might occur today, in response to Jesus’ suffering, as if they felt deeply personally grief-stricken. Luke describes the women “mourning and wailing”. This is a public funeral rite for one who is condemned by Jewish law and has therefore been “consigned to death”. There is a ritual quality to it. This public wailing is usually accompanied by beating the breast. The public funeral rite was the province chiefly of the women in the community – the “daughters of Jerusalem”.
In Jewish terms, Jesus is already dead, and it is only the sentence that is yet to be carried out. This display of grief is part of the public “performance” of mourning (compare with verses in John 11) that is appropriate for this situation as part of Jewish custom.
In Spiritual terms, the community needs to officially mourn the loss of one of its people, whoever the may be. This ritualised mourning is not “just show” but rather a public means through which grief could be expressed in that culture.
Read also Zechariah 12:10, a passage often associated with this event, and reflect further on this event in Luke 23:
- What might have caused this compassion on the part of the women?
- Why the women and not the men?
- Could there be some realisation or awareness of Jesus’ true identity here?
- Do we have any public means of grieving and mourning in our culture today?
- Might it help us today to have a place to express our brokenness in some more public way?
Look specifically at Jesus’ words to the women in Luke 23:28-31:
- What is being said to these women?
- Any idea what future event of destruction Jesus is alluding to?
- Is this is a “revenge prophecy”, do you think?
The consensus among scholars is that Jesus, in his prophecy to the daughters of Jerusalem, is speaking about the great destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in AD 70 – a terrible siege that ended in horrible bloodshed – a shocking end that lived up to Jesus’ prophecies.
Jesus’ pronouncement is not one of vengeance for the injustice of his death. Rather Jesus is giving a warning to Israel – through their choice of Barabbas (a violent outlaw) and those like him, they had chosen a road to certain ruin, and have rejected Jesus – their only true hope of security and peace.
Reflection
- How might the disturbing warning to the daughters of Jerusalem be applied by us today?
- What ultimately happens in the world when we reject Jesus’ kingdom?
- What happens when the “might is right” attitude to world affairs is adopted?