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.
Original Language Analysis
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γαστρὶ
them that are with child
G1064
γαστρὶ
them that are with child
Strong's:
G1064
Word #:
5 of 26
the stomach; by analogy, the matrix; figuratively, a gourmand
ἐχούσαις
G2192
ἐχούσαις
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
6 of 26
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θηλαζούσαις
to them that give suck
G2337
θηλαζούσαις
to them that give suck
Strong's:
G2337
Word #:
9 of 26
to suckle, (by implication) to suck
ἐκείναις
those
G1565
ἐκείναις
those
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
11 of 26
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραις·
days
G2250
ἡμέραις·
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
13 of 26
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
γὰρ
! for
G1063
γὰρ
! for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
15 of 26
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἀνάγκη
distress
G318
ἀνάγκη
distress
Strong's:
G318
Word #:
16 of 26
constraint (literally or figuratively); by implication, distress
μεγάλη
great
G3173
μεγάλη
great
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
17 of 26
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
18 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
the land
G1093
γῆς
the land
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
20 of 26
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὀργὴ
wrath
G3709
ὀργὴ
wrath
Strong's:
G3709
Word #:
22 of 26
properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e., (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implicati
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 23:29For, 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.Lamentations 4:10The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.Mark 13:17But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!Matthew 24:19And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!1 Thessalonians 2:16Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.James 5:1Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.1 Peter 4:17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Historical Context
The AD 70 siege created conditions exactly matching Jesus' prophecy. Josephus records that the siege began at Passover, when Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims—increasing the death toll. Roman legions encircled the city with siege walls, preventing escape or supply. Starvation became so severe that people fought over garbage, leather, and eventually turned to cannibalism. Josephus describes a noblewoman named Mary who killed and ate her infant son—a horror that shocked even battle-hardened Roman soldiers. Pregnant women and nursing mothers faced impossible choices: flee and risk losing children, or stay and face starvation. The 'great distress' and 'wrath upon this people' were historically documented realities, not hyperbole.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus' specific compassion for pregnant and nursing women reveal about His concern for the vulnerable even in the midst of divine judgment?
- How does the literal fulfillment of 'great distress' and Moses' warnings about cannibalism demonstrate the seriousness of covenant-breaking?
- How should the reality of divine wrath against sin inform both Christian evangelism and personal holiness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. Jesus expresses compassionate lament—ouai (οὐαί, "woe") is a cry of grief and warning. Pregnant women (en gastri echousais, ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσαις, "having in womb") and nursing mothers (tais thēlazousais, ταῖς θηλαζούσαις, "those giving suck") face particular vulnerability during siege and flight. Pregnancy and infant care make rapid escape nearly impossible—these women cannot flee quickly to the mountains (v. 21).
The phrase estai gar anagkē megalē epi tēs gēs (ἔσται γὰρ ἀνάγκη μεγάλη ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, "for there shall be great distress upon the land") describes unprecedented suffering. The noun anagkē (ἀνάγκη) means necessity, constraint, calamity—unavoidable suffering pressing down. The specification epi tēs gēs ("upon the land") likely refers specifically to the land of Israel, though some interpret it as earth generally. The phrase orgē tō laō toutō (ὀργὴ τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ, "wrath upon this people") identifies divine anger directed at covenant-breaking Israel—not humanity generally but specifically "this people" who rejected Messiah.
Josephus's account confirms the horror. He describes mothers eating their own children during the famine (Jewish War 6.3.4), fulfilling Moses' graphic warning (Deuteronomy 28:53-57). The phrase "great distress" proved tragically literal—over one million Jews died during the siege and its aftermath.