story did not circulate originally in this context (see below on v. 11*). ■ 4* Verse 4* has occasioned much concern, especially for Catholic exegetes, because it creates difficulties for Mariology. The address “woman” (γύναι) (translated by Luther with Weib, which today is misleading) contains nothing really disparaging. But it is nevertheless surprising that Jesus addresses his mother here (and in 19:26*) in same terms as he does the Samaritan woman in 4:21* and Mary Magdalena in 20:13*.