Matthew 24:19 - 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: And woe unto 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!

Jesus has warned His disciples of a moment when Jerusalem and the temple will be destroyed. When the temple is desecrated by an abomination, Jesus has said, all in Jerusalem should run for their lives to the mountainous regions to hide. It will happen so quickly, Jesus has said, that someone on the rooftop of his house must not go back inside to get supplies and a person working in a field should not take the time to run in the wrong direction to get his cloak (Matthew 24:15–18).

The purpose of that imagery is to emphasize the level of danger that this moment will announce. Here, Christ adds an "alas" of sadness for women who are pregnant or nursing in those days. It is especially difficult to run quickly and hide in the mountains while pregnant or caring for an infant. Even worse, pregnant and nursing women are especially vulnerable when supplies of food are cut off during incidents such as war, siege, persecution, or famine.

In AD 66—70, a Jewish rebellion resulted in Roman retaliation. The end of that conflict included a siege of Jerusalem, trapping those who could not escape in time, and the eventual demolition of the temple. The temple was first desecrated by Romans stealing from it and, more seriously, by Jewish Zealots murdering priests in the temple. That has led some to believe Jesus was referring to AD 70 when making these predictions.

However, that does not fit the context of end times (Matthew 24:14) or the earth-shattering level of danger implied (Matthew 24:21–22). Roman defilement of the temple happened after the siege of Jerusalem, making it useless as a warning sign. More likely, similar events will occur again at the end of the age in another time of tribulation.

Matthew 24:15–28 begins with a warning to all in Jerusalem to flee to the mountains when the abomination that will bring desolation to the temple stands in the holy place. This will be a terrible time, especially for those who are particularly vulnerable. That tribulation will be worse than anything ever, though another tribulation will come right before Jesus' return. It will be cut short to save some of humanity and for the sake of the elect, all those who truly believe in Christ. When He returns, everyone will know.

Jesus makes a dire prediction about the destruction of the temple. Immediately after this, while seated on the Mount of Olives, Jesus responds to a question from the disciples. They ask when judgment will come and what signs will signal His return. Christ describes a season of unimaginable world turmoil and persecution. He points to a specific moment of defilement of the temple, at which point people should run for their lives. Jesus speaks of world-threatening tribulation which will be cut short right before He returns as King and Judge. Since nobody can possibly know when He will return, His followers must live in readiness.

Jesus has just left the temple area, after delivering a blistering criticism of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23). After predicting that the temple would be destroyed, He answers their questions about the end times. He speaks of a period when He will be gone from earth and they will be persecuted and killed. The world will be in turmoil, but the gospel will be preached everywhere. Nobody knows exactly when Jesus' return will be completed, so his followers should constantly be prepared. Jesus continues to teach on these themes in the next chapter.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.