Just when I thought I’d heard it all. From the comment threads over at Challies- which is anti-Passion central. Was Mary even at the cross?

In three of the four gospel accounts she is not even mentioned as being at the cross. And her reference in John is a bad translation. The woman in Revelation 12 is Israel, who gives birth to Messiah. When Yeshua (Jesus) tells John, “Behold your mother,” he is looking over Jerusalem and referring to Israel, not Mary. I’m afraid many professing Christians do not know their Bibles and set themselves up to be deceived by false doctrines and teachers.

This guy comes back and gives us the whole greek exegesis of this view a bit later:

The correct Greek rendering reveals that only John was near the cross. Mary Magdalene and their acquaintances were at a distance. Let’s take a close look at verse 26, “When Jesus therefore saw his mother.” The word “therefore” in English is “oun” or “ouk” in Greek. “Ou” is a root which is an exclamation meaning “no” or “not.” It is a negative. The verse should not be translated as “therefore” in this context. It must be translated as “cannot” or “is not” or “did not,” as in Jesus did not see His mother. It would appear that this passage was mistranslated on purpose. The blessed mother was not even at the crucifixion site, which is harmony with the other gospels. Also in verse 26, the word “saw” or “see” is “idon” in Greek, meaning “I shall see” or “I do see.” He is referring to John, not Mary. The disciple says to Yeshua, “There is your mother.” Remember, they are on the Mount of Olives looking over the crowd and city, and Messiah says, “There is your mother.” Then He cries out, “Woman (the nation of Israel, which gave birth to Him), behold your Son.” In verse 27 He says to John, “Behold your mother!” Why would Yeshua give His mother to John when He had brothers and sisters who were capable to taking care of His mother if she needed it? It was Jewish custom and a Torah principle to take care of your immediate family. Yeshua is saying to John, “There is your mother,” referring to Israel. John also is a son of Judah, just as the Lord was. John became the chief disciple to Israel. He took up where Yeshua left off in ministering to the mother, Israel. Thanks to Peter Michas of Messengers of Messiah for his knowledge of Greek and interpretation of these passages.

Hmmmmm….what think ye? (BTW- prizes for people finding what all is wrong with this stuff.)