Mark 13:17 - Printer Friendly

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

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

NASB: But woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days!

CSB: Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days!

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

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

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

The warnings to flee Jerusalem applied to the Roman siege in AD 70, but much more so to the end times. Before the midpoint of the tribulation, it's apparent that Judaism will have somewhat of a renewal. Israel will have a treaty with her enemies (Daniel 9:27). The temple will be rebuilt and sacrifices will resume. But after three and a half years, the Antichrist will show his true colors. He will make an image for the world to worship (Revelation 13:14). His abominations will desolate the practice of Judaism (Daniel 9:27). But Jesus promises that if they are paying attention, the people in Judea will have time to flee (Mark 13:14).

This verse has made some afraid to get pregnant and have children. Such fear reveals the dangers of taking Scripture out of context. The warning is for inhabitants of Israel during the tribulation. It will naturally be difficult for those who are pregnant or have infants to flee the area and attempt to find shelter and provision in the mountains. But this warning has nothing to do with those of us who are not in this situation. The church will be raptured before the tribulation begins, and most of the world doesn't live in Israel, anyway.

Another verse with a similar issue is Paul's suggestion to remain unmarried in 1 Corinthians 7:25–40. Some modern-day believers think this means God doesn't want us to marry, but that's not what the passage says. At that time, around AD 55, in Corinth, in southern Greece, Paul suggests that people may not want to get married. If they do, that's fine. But nine years from Nero's persecution against Christians and even certain Romans, at a time where spreading the gospel and planting churches was especially vital, getting married might be optional.

Mark 13:14–23 describes Peter, James, John, and Andrew asking Jesus for the signs that the temple will be destroyed and He will return to establish His kingdom (Matthew 24:3). Jesus has explained that wars, natural disasters, false teaching, and persecution will increase (Mark 13:5–13). Now He speaks of the second half of the end-times tribulation. It will start with the Antichrist erecting the abomination of desolation in the temple and end right before war and natural and supernatural disasters would cause worldwide extinction. Matthew talks a bit more about false prophets in Matthew 24:15–28 while Luke gives a shortened version in Luke 21:20–24.

Days before the crucifixion, the disciples praise the glory of the temple. When Jesus tells them the temple will be destroyed, they ask for signs of that coming destruction and of His return (Matthew 24:3). Jesus answers their second question with information crucial for believers in the end times, and any time. Tribulation Christians will face horrifying hardships and violence, as may believers of any era, but they must remember that the hardships will not last. Jesus will return so quickly, any attempt to live by the world's rules will be futile.

The prior chapter contained several parables and Jesus' answer to assorted questions. In this section, Jesus turns His teaching towards the disciples. He explains concepts related to the end times: the still-future period when God will complete His plan for judgment on sin. Those details include a prophecy about the impending destruction of the temple. The final chapters of Mark then describe events up to and after the crucifixion of Jesus at the hands of His enemies.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.