Mark 13:17

KJV

But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} woe {G3759} to them that are {G2192} with {G1722} child {G1064}, and {G2532} to them that give suck {G2337} in {G1722} those {G1565} days {G2250}!

Complete Jewish Bible

What a terrible time it will be for pregnant women and nursing mothers!

Berean Standard Bible

How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers!

American Standard Version

But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 13:17, part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, delivers a poignant lament concerning the extreme hardships that pregnant women and nursing mothers would face during the prophesied tribulation. This "woe" is not a curse but an expression of profound sorrow and compassion, underscoring the severity and urgency of the impending events—primarily the destruction of Jerusalem—where the physical limitations of these vulnerable groups would make escape and survival exceptionally difficult.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Jesus' [Olivet Discourse](/mark/13 "Mark 13 - The Olivet Discourse"), a significant prophetic teaching delivered on the Mount of Olives. It immediately follows Jesus' urgent instruction for those in Judea to flee to the mountains when they witness the ["abomination of desolation standing where it ought not"](/mark/13-14 "Mark 13:14 - The Abomination of Desolation"). The entire discourse, paralleled in [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse") and [Luke 21](/luke/21 "Luke 21 - The Olivet Discourse"), describes a period of unprecedented distress and tribulation, emphasizing the need for immediate and decisive action. Verse 17 highlights the particular difficulties certain groups would encounter, setting the stage for the plea to pray for more favorable conditions for flight in [Mark 13:18](/mark/13-18 "Mark 13:18 - Pray for Favorable Flight Conditions").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The primary historical fulfillment of this prophecy is the Roman-Jewish War (AD 66-70) and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by Roman forces. During this period, the city was besieged, leading to widespread famine, disease, and brutal violence. Fleeing a besieged city, especially on foot and without preparation, would have been an arduous and perilous undertaking. For pregnant women and nursing mothers, their physical condition would severely impede their ability to move quickly, endure long journeys, or find adequate sustenance and shelter, making them exceptionally vulnerable targets of the unfolding catastrophe. The "days" Jesus refers to are specifically this period of intense tribulation and upheaval.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 13:17 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Olivet Discourse and the broader New Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Imminent Judgment and Tribulation**, highlighting the severe and unparalleled nature of the coming distress that would impact all segments of society, even the most vulnerable. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Urgency of Response**, as the conditions described necessitate immediate flight, leaving no time for preparation or delay. Thirdly, the "woe" reveals Jesus' profound **Divine Compassion Amidst Judgment**, demonstrating His deep empathy and sorrow for the suffering that would befall humanity, rather than a punitive curse. Finally, the verse specifically draws attention to the **Vulnerability of the Disadvantaged**, calling believers to recognize and respond to the unique challenges faced by those who are physically or socially compromised during times of crisis, a theme consistent with Jesus' ministry to the marginalized found throughout [the Gospels](/gospel/1 "The Gospels - Accounts of Jesus' Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **woe (Greek, _ouaí'_):** G3759. This is a primary exclamation of grief, lamentation, or sorrow. It conveys a strong sense of pity and deep regret for impending doom or distress, rather than a direct curse or condemnation. In this context, Jesus is expressing profound compassion for the suffering that will be experienced.
* **with child (Greek, _gastḗr'_):** G1064. Derived from a word meaning "stomach," this term by analogy refers to the "matrix" or "womb," thus indicating pregnancy. The phrase highlights the physical burden and reduced mobility of pregnant women, making their flight incredibly difficult and dangerous.
* **give suck (Greek, _thēlázō'_):** G2337. This verb means "to suckle" or "to suck," referring specifically to nursing mothers. Like pregnant women, nursing mothers would face immense challenges in fleeing, as they would need to carry and care for an infant, further impeding their speed and capacity for survival in desperate circumstances.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But woe to them that are with child":** The adversative conjunction "But" (G1161, _dé_) signals a shift or emphasis, introducing a lamentation. Jesus expresses deep sorrow ("woe," _ouaí_) for pregnant women, whose physical condition—carrying a child—would make rapid flight and survival during the impending tribulation exceptionally difficult and perilous. This is a compassionate acknowledgment of their unique vulnerability.
* **"and to them that give suck":** This clause extends the lamentation to nursing mothers. Their responsibility to care for and carry an infant would similarly hinder their ability to escape quickly and safely. The "woe" encompasses the dual burden of their own physical state and the needs of their dependent child, highlighting the compounded hardship they would endure.
* **"in those days!":** This phrase firmly anchors the "woe" to the specific period of intense tribulation and distress previously described by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse. It refers to the time of unprecedented suffering, primarily the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem, when such physical limitations would prove devastating.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 13:17 powerfully employs several literary devices to convey its urgent and compassionate message. The most prominent is **Lamentation**, expressed through the interjection "woe" (_ouaí_). This is not a curse but a cry of profound sorrow and empathy, immediately evoking **Pathos** by drawing the audience's sympathy towards the most vulnerable. The verse also uses **Specificization** or **Particularization**, singling out pregnant women and nursing mothers. This technique highlights the universal and indiscriminate nature of the coming tribulation, demonstrating that even those in the most delicate physical states would be severely impacted. By focusing on these groups, Jesus uses a form of **Synecdoche**, where a part (the most vulnerable) represents the whole (all who would suffer immensely). The stark reality presented also functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, warning of the intense suffering to come and emphasizing the critical need for vigilance and preparedness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 13:17, while describing a specific historical event, resonates with profound theological and thematic truths that transcend its immediate context. It underscores the reality of human suffering in a fallen world, particularly during times of divine judgment or severe tribulation. Yet, Jesus' "woe" reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent to human pain, but one who laments with His creation, demonstrating profound compassion even as judgment unfolds. This verse calls believers to a posture of spiritual vigilance and practical preparedness, recognizing that life's unforeseen crises can expose our vulnerabilities. It also implicitly highlights the importance of community and mutual support, especially for the most disadvantaged, during times of widespread distress. The passage reminds us that while God's purposes are sovereign, human suffering is a reality He acknowledges with deep empathy.

* [Matthew 24:19](/matthew/24-19 "Matthew's Parallel Account of Woe to Pregnant and Nursing Mothers")
* [Luke 23:29](/luke/23-29 "Luke's Account of Jesus' Lament for Daughters of Jerusalem")
* [Isaiah 13:18](/isaiah/13-18 "Prophecy of Cruelty to Pregnant Women in Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' lament in Mark 13:17 offers timeless lessons for believers, extending beyond its historical fulfillment. It first calls us to a profound sense of spiritual readiness and discernment, urging us to be vigilant and prepared for the unexpected turns of life, whether personal crises or broader societal upheavals. Just as Jesus warned His disciples to be watchful for signs, we are encouraged to cultivate a spiritual posture of attentiveness to God's leading and His Word, ensuring our faith is not caught off guard. Secondly, this verse cultivates a deep compassion for the vulnerable. Jesus' "woe" is a powerful reminder to recognize and actively care for those who are most disadvantaged in our communities, especially during times of crisis. It challenges us to consider how our churches and individual lives can be a source of practical aid, comfort, and advocacy for pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly, the sick, and all who face unique limitations. Finally, the implicit difficulty of "those days" encourages fervent intercessory prayer, not only for the alleviation of suffering but also for God's mercy and guidance during distress, aligning our hearts with Christ's own compassionate lament.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' lament for the vulnerable challenge our own compassion during times of crisis, both personal and global?**
* **What practical steps can we take, both spiritually and practically, to prepare ourselves and our communities for unexpected difficulties or times of widespread distress?**
* **How does this verse encourage us to pray for those who are most disadvantaged or face unique challenges in our society today?**

### FAQ
**Is Jesus cursing these women with "woe"?**

Answer: No, the Greek word _ouaí_ (G3759), translated as "woe," is an interjection expressing profound grief, lamentation, or sorrow, rather than a curse or condemnation. In [Mark 13:17](/mark/13-17 "Mark 13:17 - Woe to the Pregnant and Nursing"), Jesus is not pronouncing judgment upon these women but is instead expressing deep compassion and pity for the extreme hardships they would face during the intense tribulation He is describing. His "woe" highlights the severity of the coming events and the unique challenges that pregnant women and nursing mothers would encounter in attempting to flee or survive.

**Did this prophecy only apply to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70?**

Answer: While the primary and immediate fulfillment of the Olivet Discourse, including [Mark 13:17](/mark/13-17 "Mark 13:17 - Woe to the Pregnant and Nursing"), was indeed the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, biblical scholars often recognize that the discourse also contains elements with broader eschatological implications. Jesus' prophecies often have multiple layers of fulfillment—an immediate historical context and a future, ultimate application. Therefore, while the specific "woe" to pregnant and nursing mothers was acutely realized in AD 70, the underlying principles of vigilance, compassion for the vulnerable, and the reality of tribulation remain relevant for believers across all ages, pointing to the need for spiritual preparedness for the return of Christ and the ultimate consummation of history, as described in passages like [Revelation 6-19](/revelation/6-19 "Revelation 6-19 - The Tribulation and Judgments").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Mark 13:17 describes a specific historical woe, its deeper Christ-centered fulfillment lies in Jesus' profound identification with human suffering and His ultimate provision for it. The "woe" Jesus pronounces is not a detached prediction but a lament from the very heart of God, foreshadowing His own journey to the cross where He would bear the ultimate "woe" of humanity's sin and its consequences. He is the one who truly knows and experiences sorrow, becoming "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Christ, a Man of Sorrows"). In His incarnation, Jesus entered fully into the human condition, experiencing vulnerability and suffering, culminating in His sacrificial death. His compassion for the pregnant and nursing mothers in [Mark 13:17](/mark/13-17 "Mark 13:17 - Woe to the Pregnant and Nursing") is a microcosm of His boundless love that led Him to offer rest to the weary and burdened ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ has overcome the world and its tribulations ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")), offering not just escape from earthly woes but eternal salvation and the promise of a new heaven and new earth where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore" ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Sorrow")). Thus, the lament of Mark 13:17 ultimately points to the greater hope found in Christ, who delivers us from all ultimate woes.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 23:29

For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed [are] the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

Lamentations 4:10

The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Lamentations 2:19

Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.

Lamentations 2:20

Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, [and] children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?

Deuteronomy 28:56

The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,

Deuteronomy 28:57

And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all [things] secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates.

Hosea 9:14

Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.