Matthew 24 19

Matthew 24:19 kjv

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

Matthew 24:19 nkjv

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

Matthew 24:19 niv

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

Matthew 24:19 esv

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

Matthew 24:19 nlt

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

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 19 Meaning

This verse expresses a profound lament and severe warning from Jesus concerning the extreme hardships of the coming tribulation, particularly for women who are pregnant or nursing infants. The "woe" highlights the intense suffering and practical impossibility of quick escape for these vulnerable groups, as movement would be greatly hampered during a time requiring urgent flight from immediate danger and widespread calamity. It conveys the immense compassion of Jesus while simultaneously portraying the unprecedented severity of "those days."

Matthew 24 19 Context

Matthew 24:19 is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), a pivotal prophecy given on the Mount of Olives. The disciples had asked two key questions: when would the Temple be destroyed, and what would be the signs of Jesus' coming and the end of the age (Mt 24:3). Jesus' answer intertwines these events, speaking of immediate judgments on Jerusalem (fulfilled in AD 70) and ultimate eschatological events.

This verse specifically describes the horrors of the "great tribulation" (Mt 24:21). Following His warning to flee Judea when they see the "abomination of desolation," Jesus details the urgency of that flight (Mt 24:16-18), where time would be of the essence. For the original Jewish audience, who were rooted in their homeland and familial structures, this warning underscores the severity of a coming event so cataclysmic that even fundamental aspects of life, like pregnancy and nursing, would become immense burdens for survival. The practical challenges for pregnant and nursing women—their slower pace, greater physical needs, and the utter helplessness of infants—would render them especially vulnerable during a sudden, desperate exodus from besieged Jerusalem, which experienced immense suffering and famine during the Roman siege (AD 66-70). This prophetic warning is therefore both an expression of divine foresight and profound empathy for those who would face unparalleled hardship.

Matthew 24 19 Word analysis

• And woe (καὶ οὐαὶ - kai ouai):
  • καὶ (kai): A simple conjunction, "and," connecting this particular hardship to the broader context of tribulation.
  • οὐαὶ (ouai): Transliterated "ouai," meaning "woe," "alas," or "grief." This is a strong interjection of lament, profound sorrow, or a dire pronouncement of judgment or misfortune. It signifies a terrible, grievous state. It is not merely an expression of pity, but a declaration of the calamitous fate awaiting those affected by circumstances described. Often used by prophets for pronouncements of judgment.
• unto them that are with child (ταῖς ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσαις - tais en gastri echousais):
  • ταῖς (tais): Dative feminine plural article, referring to "those" specific ones.
  • ἐν (en): "In."
  • γαστρὶ (gastri): "Womb," "belly."
  • ἐχούσαις (echousais): "Having," "holding." This is a present active participle, denoting a continuous state. Literally, "those having in belly." Refers to pregnant women. The physical burden, reduced mobility, and special needs of pregnancy would severely impede rapid escape during a time requiring swift movement and exposure.
• and to them that give suck (καὶ ταῖς θηλαζούσαις - kai tais thēlazousais):
  • καὶ (kai): "And."
  • ταῖς (tais): Dative feminine plural article, again specifying these women.
  • θηλαζούσαις (thēlazousais): "Nursing," "suckling." This is also a present active participle, indicating ongoing nursing. Refers to nursing mothers. They would face immense difficulties, as they must carry and feed an infant, whose constant needs (feeding, comfort, changing) and slow pace would make flight agonizingly difficult and perilous in a desperate situation. The infant's vulnerability puts the mother at even greater risk.
• in those days (ἐν ἐκείναις ταῖς ἡμέραις - en ekeinais tais hēmerais):
  • ἐν (en): "In."
  • ἐκείναις (ekeinais): "Those," demonstrative pronoun.
  • ταῖς (tais): Article.
  • ἡμέραις (hēmerais): "Days." The phrase refers directly to the "great tribulation" previously mentioned (Mt 24:21) and the specific period requiring flight from danger. While having an initial fulfillment in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, it also points to a broader eschatological "great tribulation" preceding Christ's return, indicating the severity and unprecedented nature of these times across its fulfillments.

• Words-group analysis:
  • "Woe unto them...": This phrase conveys both Jesus' deep empathy for the suffering of vulnerable individuals and His stark proclamation of the dire consequences awaiting. It underscores the severity of God's righteous judgment and the catastrophic human cost of a fallen world in rebellion against God. The lament reflects not only physical hardship but also the emotional and psychological trauma that such a period would inflict.
  • "them that are with child, and to them that give suck": The specific mention of these two groups highlights their unique vulnerability. Pregnancy and infancy inherently require a slower pace, additional resources, and careful conditions for survival. In a chaotic flight, where haste, agility, and minimal burdens are critical, these conditions are completely contravened. This specific warning implies the utter devastation and lack of mercy in "those days" where even the most vulnerable will endure unimaginable suffering and obstacles to survival. It paints a picture of societal breakdown and a direct assault on the fundamental life processes.
  • "in those days": This temporal marker emphasizes the distinct nature and unparalleled difficulty of this prophetic period. It sets the described suffering apart from ordinary hardships, linking it directly to the unique, divine judgment and eschatological events being described by Jesus. The precision of "those days" points to a time of concentrated distress, making the "woe" even more potent.

Matthew 24 19 Bonus section

This verse subtly reveals the divine perspective on human suffering within prophecy. While describing events that are decreed in judgment, Jesus also expresses profound empathy, personalizing the tribulation's impact on the most vulnerable members of society. The choice to single out pregnant and nursing women is not random; it highlights the depth of human misery that comes when natural life-giving processes are jeopardized by widespread destruction. This contrasts with images of normal, flourishing life and instead points to an existence where the simplest acts become a burden. This specific lament serves as a poignant reminder that even amidst foretold judgment, divine compassion acknowledges the immense human cost. The verse is also an implied call for practical readiness and vigilance on the part of the believer, emphasizing the need for unhindered obedience to prophetic warnings.

Matthew 24 19 Commentary

Matthew 24:19 serves as a stark illustration of the intense, practical difficulties during a period of divine judgment and great tribulation. Jesus, with profound compassion, articulates a "woe"—a lament expressing sorrow and distress—for pregnant women and nursing mothers. This is not a curse upon them, but a pronouncement of the immense suffering and hardship they would inevitably face. Their condition naturally limits speed and agility, necessitating specific needs and extreme care for infants, making urgent flight perilous if not impossible. The verse points primarily to the horrific events surrounding the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, where swift escape from the besieged city was crucial for survival, and where prolonged famine and violence afflicted the populace. Furthermore, it foreshadows any ultimate "great tribulation" prior to the Lord's return, highlighting the unparalleled suffering to be experienced globally, demanding immediate response and endurance from believers. The practical warning embedded within the "woe" underscores the severity of a time when the very act of bringing forth and sustaining new life would become an overwhelming burden due to chaos and impending judgment. It underscores God's prophetic precision and His warning for those who hear His words.