How miserable those days will beThis phrase refers to the period of great tribulation that Jesus describes in
Matthew 24, often interpreted as a time of intense suffering and distress. The context is the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus speaks about the end times and the signs of His coming. The term "miserable" underscores the severity of the trials and hardships that will be experienced. This aligns with prophetic literature in the Old Testament, such as
Daniel 12:1, which speaks of a time of unprecedented trouble. The use of "those days" indicates a specific period, often associated with the Great Tribulation mentioned in
Revelation 7:14.
for pregnant and nursing mothers!
Pregnant and nursing mothers are highlighted to emphasize the vulnerability and added burden they would face during such tumultuous times. In the cultural and historical context of the first century, women in these conditions would have been particularly susceptible to the hardships of war, famine, or persecution due to their physical state and the need to care for young children. This reflects a broader biblical theme of compassion for the vulnerable, as seen in passages likeIsaiah 40:11, where God is depicted as a shepherd caring for His flock, including those with young. The mention of mothers also serves to illustrate the indiscriminate nature of the suffering that will occur, affecting all segments of society.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of this prophecy, Jesus is addressing His disciples on the Mount of Olives, providing them with insights into future events, including the destruction of the temple and signs of the end times.
2.
DisciplesThe immediate audience of Jesus' discourse, they are seeking understanding about the future and the signs of His coming and the end of the age.
3.
Mount of OlivesThe location where Jesus delivers this prophetic discourse, a significant place in biblical prophecy and Jesus' ministry.
4.
Pregnant and Nursing MothersRepresenting vulnerable groups during times of distress, highlighting the increased difficulty and suffering they will face during the prophesied tribulations.
5.
The Great TribulationThe period of intense suffering and distress that Jesus is describing, which will precede His second coming.
Teaching Points
Understanding Prophetic WarningsJesus' words serve as a warning to be spiritually prepared for times of tribulation. Believers should remain vigilant and steadfast in their faith.
Compassion for the VulnerableThe mention of pregnant and nursing mothers highlights the need for compassion and support for those who are most vulnerable during difficult times.
Trust in God's SovereigntyDespite the predicted hardships, believers are called to trust in God's ultimate plan and sovereignty, knowing that He is in control even in times of great distress.
Preparation for End TimesThis passage encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, preparing their hearts and lives for the return of Christ.
Community Support and CareThe church is called to be a community that supports and cares for one another, especially those who are most vulnerable, during times of crisis.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 24:19?
2.How does Matthew 24:19 emphasize the challenges for mothers during tribulation times?
3.What can we learn about God's compassion from Matthew 24:19's focus on mothers?
4.How does Matthew 24:19 connect with Old Testament prophecies about end times?
5.How should Matthew 24:19 influence our prayers for families facing hardships today?
6.What practical steps can we take to support mothers in crisis, as highlighted in Matthew 24:19?
7.What does Matthew 24:19 mean for expectant mothers during end times?
8.How does Matthew 24:19 reflect God's compassion or judgment?
9.Why are pregnant women specifically mentioned in Matthew 24:19?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 24?
11.Who was Bathsheba in the Bible?
12.In Luke 21:20-24, was Jesus prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem before it happened, or was this written after the fact?
13.Why does Jesus's restrictive view on divorce (Matthew 19:3-9) seem to conflict with more lenient provisions in Deuteronomy 24:1-4?
14.How do denominations interpret Matthew 19:9's Exception Clause?What Does Matthew 24:19 Mean
How miserable• Jesus voices a heartfelt lament: “How miserable…” (Matthew 24:19).
• The word choice signals real sorrow, echoing similar prophetic woes (Luke 6:24-26;Revelation 8:13).
• His compassion stands out; even while announcing judgment He grieves for the vulnerable (Matthew 23:37).
those days• The phrase links directly to the “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21), beginning with the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 and foreshadowing the climactic end-time distress (Daniel 12:1;Revelation 7:14).
• Mark’s parallel text repeats the warning (Mark 13:17), and Luke adds, “For great distress will be upon the land and wrath against this people” (Luke 21:23).
• Scripture consistently portrays these days as unparalleled in intensity (Jeremiah 30:7;1 Thessalonians 5:3).
will be• Jesus speaks in the indicative, underscoring absolute certainty (Matthew 24:35).
• The doom is not hypothetical; it is a fixed element in God’s prophetic timetable (Isaiah 46:9-10;Acts 17:31).
for pregnant and nursing mothers!• Expectant and nursing women face obvious challenges in sudden flight:
– Limited mobility when every hour counts (Luke 21:21).
– Added responsibility of protecting fragile life (2 Kings 6:28-29;Lamentations 4:3-4 highlight past siege horrors).
• Their plight magnifies the severity of the crisis and reminds believers to pray for divine mercy on the weakest (Psalm 37:25-26;James 1:27).
• Jesus’ counsel to pray that escape might not occur in winter or on a Sabbath (Matthew 24:20) further reveals His concern for practical hardships.
summaryMatthew 24:19 delivers a sobering yet compassionate warning. Jesus, foreseeing the crushing upheaval of both the first-century siege and the future global tribulation, grieves for mothers whose physical limitations heighten their peril. The verse underscores the certainty of God’s prophetic plan, the unparalleled severity of those days, and the Lord’s tender heart for the vulnerable. Believers today are reminded to trust His Word, remain watchful, and extend Christ-like care to those least able to protect themselves.
(19)
Woe unto them.--Better,
alas for them, or
woe for them. The tone is that of pity rather than denunciation. The hardships of a hurried flight would press most heavily on those who were encumbered with infant children, or were expecting childbirth. The same tenderness of sympathy shows itself in the words spoken to the daughters of Jerusalem in
Luke 23:28-29. Perhaps the words point to the darker horrors of the siege, when mothers were driven, in the frenzy of starvation, to feed on their infants' flesh (Jos.
Wars, vi. 3, ? 4).
Verse 19. -
Woe unto them that are with child! The Lord, while he counsels flight, has a word of compassion for those poor mothers who are forced to have recourse thereto. The circumstances mentioned would impede flight and greatly increase danger and distress. The sufferings of mothers and children in the siege are narrated by the historian, and even such horrors as are indicated in
Deuteronomy 28:53-56 were not unknown (see Josephus, 'Bell. Jud.,' 5:10, 3; 6:3, 4; Eusobius, 'Hist. Eccl.,' 3:6, 7).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Howδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.miserableΟὐαὶ(Ouai)Interjection
Strong's 3759:Woe!, alas!, uttered in grief or denunciation. A primary exclamation of grief; 'woe'.thoseἐκείναις(ekeinais)Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1565:That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.days [will be]ἡμέραις(hēmerais)Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250:A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.forταῖς(tais)Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.pregnantἐχούσαις(echousais)Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2192:To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.nursing [mothers]!θηλαζούσαις(thēlazousais)Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2337:(a) I give suck, (b) I suck. From thele; to suckle, to suck.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 24:19 But woe to those who are (Matt. Mat Mt) 
