When Jesus was thought to be dying beneath the burden of the cross, many women, who, though not believers in Christ, were touched with pity for his sufferings, broke forth into a mournful wailing. When Jesus revived, he looked upon them with tender compassion. He knew they were not lamenting him because he was a teacher sent from God, but from motives of common humanity. He looked upon the weeping women and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but for yourselves, and for your children.” {3SP 151.1}

Da det syntes, som om Jesus lå døende under korsets byrde, var der mange kvinder, som blev bevægede af medfølelse for hans lidelser og brød ud i sørgmodige klageråb, selvom de ikke troede på Kristus. Da Jesus kom til sig selv igen, så han på dem med mildhed. Han vidste at de ikke beklagede ham, fordi han var en lærer sendt af Gud, men af almindelige, menneskelige bevæggrunde. Han så på de grædende kvinder og sagde: "I Jerusalems døtre! græd ikke over mig, men græd over jer selv og over jeres børn!" (Luk 23,28)