Matthew 24:19

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}!

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
Matthew 24:19, part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, serves as a poignant lament and prophetic warning concerning the extreme hardships that pregnant women and nursing mothers would face during an impending period of intense tribulation. Jesus, with profound foresight and compassion, highlights the severe physical impediments these vulnerable groups would experience in a time requiring urgent, unhindered flight, underscoring the universal nature of suffering in times of crisis and the specific challenges for those with unique physical limitations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus' detailed prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives, immediately following instructions for urgent flight from Judea. In [Matthew 24:15-18](/matthew/24-15-18 "Matthew 24:15-18 - The Abomination of Desolation and Urgent Flight"), Jesus warns His disciples to flee to the mountains without delay when they see the "abomination of desolation" standing in the holy place. The preceding verses emphasize the critical need for immediate action, advising against even retrieving cloaks or belongings from one's house. Verse 19 then intensifies this warning by drawing attention to the specific, dire predicament of pregnant women and nursing mothers, whose physical conditions would make such rapid and unencumbered escape virtually impossible, thereby compounding their suffering during the prophesied "great tribulation" mentioned in [Matthew 24:21](/matthew/24-21 "Matthew 24:21 - The Great Tribulation").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While Jesus' prophecies often have multiple layers of fulfillment, the primary historical context for the events described in [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse") is the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Roman armies in A.D. 70. This event was characterized by immense suffering, siege, famine, and a desperate need for escape. In ancient societies, travel was arduous, especially for pregnant women or those caring for infants. Rapid flight on foot, often through rugged terrain, would have been an unimaginable ordeal. The "woe" reflects the reality of such a catastrophe, where the most vulnerable would bear the heaviest burden, contrasting sharply with the relatively slower pace of life and travel in that era.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader [Olivet Discourse](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse") and the Gospel of Matthew. Firstly, it underscores Jesus' **compassion for the vulnerable**, revealing His deep empathy even as He delivers stern prophecies of judgment. His lament highlights His awareness of human frailty and suffering. Secondly, it emphasizes the **severity and urgency of the impending tribulation**. The conditions would be so dire that even natural, life-giving states like pregnancy or nursing would become perilous disadvantages, demanding immediate and unimpeded flight. This reinforces the theme of **divine foresight and prophetic warning**, as Jesus accurately predicts specific hardships that would accompany the unfolding of these events, serving as a call to spiritual and practical preparedness for those who would face such times.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **woe (Greek, _ouaí'_):** This is a primary exclamation of grief, lamentation, or sorrow. It signifies profound regret, pity, or a dire prediction of suffering, rather than a curse. In this context, it expresses Jesus' deep distress and empathy for the unfortunate circumstances awaiting those specified, highlighting the severity of the impending hardship.
* **child (Greek, _gastḗr'_):** Literally meaning "stomach" or "belly," by analogy, it refers to the "matrix" or "womb." In this verse, it specifically denotes a woman who is pregnant, emphasizing her physical condition that would impede rapid movement and make escape exceptionally difficult during a time of crisis.
* **give suck (Greek, _thēlázō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "nipple," this verb means "to suckle" or "to suck." It refers to a nursing mother, highlighting the physical and logistical challenges of caring for an infant who requires constant nourishment and cannot move independently, making urgent flight perilous for both mother and child.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And woe unto them that are with child,"**: Jesus begins with an expression of profound sorrow and pity, not a curse, for pregnant women. Their physical condition, including reduced mobility, increased vulnerability, and the imminent need for childbirth, would render them severely disadvantaged during a period requiring immediate, desperate flight and survival. The "woe" underscores the immense suffering and danger they would face.
* **"and to them that give suck in those days!"**: The lament extends to nursing mothers, who would likewise face extraordinary difficulties. The necessity of carrying and caring for an infant, who is dependent on the mother for nourishment and cannot keep pace during a rapid escape, would severely hinder their ability to flee to safety. This highlights the additional burden and danger for both mother and child in such a desperate situation.
* **"in those days!"**: This phrase emphasizes the specific, intense, and unprecedented nature of the impending tribulation. It points to a time of unparalleled distress and urgency, where normal human conditions like pregnancy and nursing would become significant liabilities, compounding the suffering of those involved.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 24:19 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Lamentation**, expressed through the Greek interjection "woe" (_ouaí_). This is not a curse, but a cry of deep sorrow and pity from Jesus, highlighting the tragic and severe nature of the suffering to come. This creates a strong sense of **Pathos**, evoking empathy in the listener for the vulnerable groups mentioned. The verse also functions as **Prophecy**, a direct and specific foretelling of the unique hardships that pregnant and nursing women would endure during the impending tribulation, demonstrating Jesus' divine foresight. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** or **Tragic Contrast**: conditions that are normally associated with life and nurturing (pregnancy, nursing) become profound impediments and sources of extreme danger in the context of the "days" of tribulation, underscoring the inversion of normal life during such catastrophic times.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly reveals God's intimate knowledge of human suffering and His compassionate heart, even amidst prophecies of judgment. It underscores that divine judgment, when it comes, affects all aspects of human life, including the most vulnerable. Jesus' "woe" is not a condemnation but a lament, reflecting the sorrow of God over the consequences of a fallen world and the severe impact of tribulation on the innocent. It calls believers to a posture of spiritual discernment and preparedness, recognizing that while we do not know the exact timing of future events, the reality of hardship and the need for reliance on God's providence remain constant. The specific mention of pregnant and nursing women also serves as a powerful reminder of the particular burdens faced by those with unique physical vulnerabilities during times of crisis, urging compassion and practical support within the community of faith.

* [Luke 21:23](/luke/21-23 "Luke 21:23 - Woe to Pregnant and Nursing Women")
* [Lamentations 2:19](/lamentations/2-19 "Lamentations 2:19 - Mothers Crying for Food")
* [Isaiah 13:18](/isaiah/13-18 "Isaiah 13:18 - No Pity for Children")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 24:19 stands as a stark and compassionate reminder of the profound realities of human suffering, especially during times of immense crisis. Jesus' lament for pregnant and nursing mothers reveals His deep empathy and foresight, demonstrating that even in delivering difficult prophecies, His heart is for the vulnerable. For believers today, this passage serves as a call to spiritual vigilance and practical compassion. While we do not know the exact day or hour of the Lord's return or future tribulations ([Matthew 24:36](/matthew/24-36 "Matthew 24:36 - No One Knows the Day or Hour")), this verse encourages us to live in a state of readiness, both spiritually and practically. It compels us to cultivate a profound sense of empathy for those who are most vulnerable in society, recognizing that physical limitations, age, or other conditions can exacerbate suffering during times of hardship. We are called to be a people who not only discern the signs of the times but also actively extend mercy and aid to those who are most in need, reflecting the compassionate heart of Christ in our actions and preparedness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' lament in this verse shape our understanding of divine compassion in the face of suffering and judgment?**
* **What practical steps can we take to be spiritually prepared for times of hardship or crisis, even if we do not know their specific nature or timing?**
* **How can we cultivate greater empathy and support for vulnerable populations in our communities, especially during times of distress or societal upheaval?**

### FAQ
**Is this prophecy only about the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, or does it have a broader meaning?**

Answer: While Matthew 24:19, along with much of the [Olivet Discourse](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse"), found a significant and immediate fulfillment in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, biblical prophecy often operates on multiple levels. Many scholars interpret these prophecies as having both a historical fulfillment (the fall of Jerusalem) and an eschatological fulfillment (referring to the end times before Christ's second coming). The language of "great tribulation" ([Matthew 24:21](/matthew/24-21 "Matthew 24:21 - The Great Tribulation")) is so intense that it suggests a future, ultimate period of distress unparalleled in history. Therefore, while the initial audience would have understood it in light of the impending Roman-Jewish War, the "woe" also speaks to the universal and severe nature of tribulation that will characterize the very end of the age, serving as a timeless warning and a call to vigilance for all generations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 24:19, with its poignant "woe" for the vulnerable, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a curse, but in the compassionate heart of the Savior who willingly entered into human suffering to redeem it. Jesus' lament here foreshadows His own identification with human pain, culminating in His bearing the ultimate "woe" of sin and death on the cross. He is the one who, though God, became flesh and experienced the full spectrum of human vulnerability, from birth in humble circumstances to the agony of Gethsemane and Calvary. His capacity to utter such a lament stems from His perfect empathy, as our "high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest")). He took upon Himself the sorrows and griefs of humanity ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - Christ Bore Our Sorrows")), offering Himself as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), thereby providing the ultimate escape from the eternal consequences of sin. Ultimately, the "woe" of tribulation in this age points forward to the new heavens and new earth, where Christ will finally wipe away every tear, and "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")), fulfilling His promise to bring ultimate comfort and deliverance from all suffering.

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.

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.