Mary's husband Joseph and her other children at the cross ?

Legend/tradition has it that Mary did not conceive her second child until Jesus was ten or eleven, or even twleve, and that this is one reason she was not paying attention to where Jesus was on the return from the Temple when He was 12. She was busy with a new baby or toddler or maybe two!

If this is true, then when Jesus was crucified, the next in line would be in his early 20's -- much too young to take responsibility for his mother.

 

Actually, to be more specific, Christ, in His love and respect for His mother, entrusted her care to John only, not all the disciples. His brothers weren't present at the Cross. In fact, the only male we are told was present was John (of the disciples that is...).

Tradition has it that James, the brother of Jesus, didn't believe in Christ until he encountered Him after the resurrection. Thus, he wouldn't be at the Cross among Christ's followers. After James was converted, we know that (at the least) Jude became a believer in Christ too. We don't know about Christ's other half-brothers and half-sisters.

 

Mary had other children even perhaps immediately after Jesus and no doubt Mary would have been busy with them as Jesus slipped away to confound the elders.

Of course John would have been His choice:

John 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

HankD