And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
And {G1161} woe {G3759} unto them that are {G2192} with {G1722} child {G1064}, and {G2532} to them that give suck {G2337} in {G1722} those {G1565} days {G2250}!
What a terrible time it will be for pregnant women and nursing mothers!
How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers!
But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!
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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. -
Luke 23:30
Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. -
Deuteronomy 28:53
And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: -
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, -
Luke 21:23
But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. -
Mark 13:17
But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! -
Mark 13:18
And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
Matthew 24:19 is part of Jesus' prophetic discourse, often called the Olivet Discourse, delivered on the Mount of Olives. In this verse, Jesus expresses a compassionate lament over the extreme difficulties that certain vulnerable groups would face during the impending period of great tribulation.
Context
This verse immediately follows Jesus' instruction for people in Judea to flee to the mountains when they see the "abomination of desolation" standing in the holy place. The urgency of this flight is emphasized in the preceding verses (Matthew 24:17-18), where people are advised not to delay, not even to retrieve belongings. Verse 19 highlights the particular hardship for pregnant women and nursing mothers, whose physical condition would make rapid escape incredibly challenging and dangerous during this period of immense suffering, referred to as "great tribulation." While often interpreted in light of the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, these prophecies also point to a future, ultimate end-time tribulation.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word translated "woe" is ouai (οὐαί). It is an interjection that expresses lamentation, sorrow, or a dire prediction of suffering, rather than a curse. It signifies profound regret or pity for the unfortunate circumstances awaiting those specified. It's a cry of distress from the speaker, recognizing the hardship that will befall them.
Practical Application & Reflection
Matthew 24:19 serves as a stark reminder of the realities of human suffering, especially during times of crisis. It highlights Jesus' profound awareness of human vulnerability and His compassionate heart, even as He delivers difficult prophecies. For believers today, it encourages: