Mark 13 17

Mark 13:17 kjv

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

Mark 13:17 nkjv

But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!

Mark 13:17 niv

How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!

Mark 13:17 esv

And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!

Mark 13:17 nlt

How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days.

Mark 13 verses

Mark 13 17 Meaning

Mark 13:17 expresses a profound lamentation over the severe hardship and specific challenges that pregnant and nursing women would face during the predicted period of immense tribulation. It highlights their particular vulnerability, making urgent flight perilous and exceptionally difficult due to their physical condition and the dependency of infants. This statement is a declaration of sorrow over their plight, not a judgment against them, underscoring the extreme distress and urgency of the time.

Mark 13 17 Context

Mark chapter 13, often referred to as the Olivet Discourse, is Jesus's extensive prophetic sermon delivered on the Mount of Olives concerning the destruction of the Second Temple, the signs preceding His second coming, and the end of the age. Verse 17 follows immediately after Jesus's urgent instructions for His disciples to flee Jerusalem when they see the "abomination of desolation standing where it ought not to be" (Mark 13:14). The entire discourse is framed by questions from His disciples regarding the timing and signs of these monumental events. The command to flee without delay (Mark 13:15-16) sets the stage for the severe implications of being ill-equipped for such an immediate and desperate exodus. The verse's dire warning is part of a series of signs and descriptions of the great tribulation that would lead to unprecedented suffering for Jerusalem and, prophetically, for humanity at the end of days. This tribulation period finds its immediate historical fulfillment in the Roman-Jewish War (66-70 AD), culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, but also points forward to a greater, final tribulation before Christ's ultimate return.

Mark 13 17 Word analysis

• Woe (οὐαί, ouai): This is a powerful Greek interjection, functioning as an exclamation of deep sorrow, lament, or impending doom. It conveys extreme regret or pity regarding the misfortune that is to come upon those mentioned, rather than being a moral condemnation. It highlights the speaker's compassion and foresight concerning the terrible circumstances. In this context, it is a cry of anguish for their plight.
• to those who are pregnant (ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσαις, en gastri echousais): Literally meaning "having in the belly." This phrase refers to women who are pregnant, particularly in the later stages, which would severely impede swift and prolonged flight. Their physical condition makes rapid movement challenging, perilous, and exposes them to greater danger during conflict or urgent evacuation.
• and to those who are nursing babies (καὶ ταῖς θηλαζούσαις, kai tais thēlazoūsais): Refers to women who are breast-feeding infants. The presence of an infant introduces significant logistical challenges to fleeing: slow pace, frequent stops, difficulty finding adequate food and water, inability to travel light, and the need for shelter and rest that may not be available during a rapid escape. It points to extreme vulnerability.
• in those days (ἐν ἐκείναις ταῖς ἡμέραις, en ekeinais tais hēmerais): This temporal phrase directly connects the "woe" to the specific period of the prophesied tribulation. It emphasizes that this hardship is particular to "those days" of unprecedented distress (Mark 13:19). This highlights the severity of the coming events that turn natural acts like pregnancy and child-rearing into major impediments to survival.
• Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies: This phrase group emphasizes a specific subset of the population whose natural conditions would become extraordinary burdens during the intense, rapid, and brutal period of tribulation. It underscores Jesus’ compassionate awareness of the physical and logistical difficulties they would face, indicating the scale of suffering and the desperate nature of the flight.

Mark 13 17 Bonus section

The direct parallels to this verse in Matt 24:19 and Luke 21:23 indicate the consensus in the Synoptic Gospels regarding the unique plight of these women during the tribulation. This concern for vulnerable groups reflects God's overall concern for the weak, marginalized, and helpless throughout Scripture. The "woe" not only expresses sympathy but also implies the severity of a situation where ordinary blessings become burdens. Historically, Josephus records horrifying details of the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, including extreme famine and mothers resorting to cannibalism of their own children, tragically fulfilling aspects of these warnings and older prophecies like Deut 28:56-57 and Lam 4:10. This verse also serves as a potent reminder for believers today about the reality of persecution and tribulation, and the importance of discernment and spiritual preparedness, understanding that in such times, every aspect of life can become profoundly impacted by external circumstances.

Mark 13 17 Commentary

Mark 13:17 offers a poignant glimpse into the extraordinary nature of the tribulation described by Jesus. The "woe" is a compassionate outcry, not a curse, recognizing the profound disadvantages faced by pregnant and nursing women in a desperate flight for survival. This group represents the ultimate vulnerability during times of chaos and war; their physical state and the dependency of their infants make rapid escape, concealment, and enduring hardship immensely more difficult than for others. Jesus's lament underscores the unparalleled severity of "those days" (Mark 13:19), a period of distress so intense that the natural, life-affirming acts of bearing and nurturing children become agonizing liabilities. This serves as a stark warning, compelling urgency and preparedness for those who would heed His words, reinforcing the idea that when the predicted signs occur, delay will prove catastrophic, especially for the most vulnerable. It also paints a grim picture of societal breakdown and a lack of compassion that typically accompanies such upheavals, where no provision or sanctuary could be assumed for such tender lives.