She was pregnantThis phrase symbolizes the nation of Israel, often depicted as a woman in labor throughout the Old Testament (
Isaiah 26:17-18,
Micah 4:10). The imagery of pregnancy represents the anticipation of the coming Messiah, who would be born from the lineage of Israel. This aligns with the prophecy in
Genesis 3:15, where the seed of the woman is foretold to crush the serpent's head, indicating the birth of Christ.
and crying out
The crying out signifies the intense longing and expectation for deliverance and redemption. This can be seen as a reflection of Israel's historical struggles and their yearning for the Messiah. It also echoes the groaning of creation mentioned inRomans 8:22, where all creation is described as groaning in the pains of childbirth, awaiting redemption.
in the pain and agony of giving birth.
The pain and agony highlight the suffering and tribulation that precede the birth of something new and significant. This can be connected to the trials faced by Israel throughout history, including oppression and exile, as they awaited the Messiah. It also foreshadows the suffering of Christ, who endured agony for the redemption of humanity. The imagery of birth pains is used elsewhere in Scripture to describe the end times and the coming of God's kingdom (Matthew 24:8,Mark 13:8).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The WomanSymbolically represents God's people, often interpreted as Israel or the Church. In the context of Revelation, she is depicted as a heavenly figure clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head (
Revelation 12:1).
2.
The ChildRepresents Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who is to rule all nations with an iron scepter. The birth of the child signifies the coming of the Savior into the world.
3.
The DragonAlthough not mentioned in verse 2, the dragon is a significant figure in the surrounding context, representing Satan, who seeks to devour the child upon birth.
4.
The BirthSymbolizes the coming of Christ and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The labor pains reflect the struggles and challenges faced by God's people throughout history.
5.
Heavenly RealmThe vision takes place in a heavenly setting, indicating the cosmic significance of the events described.
Teaching Points
The Struggle of God's PeopleThe labor pains symbolize the struggles and tribulations faced by God's people throughout history. Believers are called to endure and remain faithful amidst trials.
The Fulfillment of God's PromisesThe birth of the child signifies the fulfillment of God's promises. Just as the Messiah came, believers can trust in the fulfillment of God's future promises.
Spiritual WarfareThe presence of the dragon highlights the reality of spiritual warfare. Christians must be vigilant and equipped with the armor of God to stand against the enemy.
Hope in SufferingThe agony of labor is temporary and leads to the joy of new life. In the same way, believers can find hope in their suffering, knowing it leads to eternal glory.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Revelation 12:2?
2.How does Revelation 12:2 symbolize the church's struggles and triumphs today?
3.What parallels exist between Revelation 12:2 and Genesis 3:15 regarding spiritual conflict?
4.How can believers find hope in the imagery of "crying out in pain"?
5.How does Revelation 12:2 encourage perseverance during personal trials and tribulations?
6.In what ways can the church support those experiencing "the agony of giving birth"?
7.What is the significance of the woman in Revelation 12:2?
8.How does Revelation 12:2 relate to the birth of Jesus?
9.What does the labor pain symbolize in Revelation 12:2?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Revelation 12?
11.What is the significance of the woman and the dragon?
12.What does 'travail' mean in the Bible?
13.What causes infant mortality?
14.What does the Bible say about chronic pain?What Does Revelation 12:2 Mean
She was pregnant- The woman introduced inRevelation 12:1 is seen “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars,” a picture that echoes Joseph’s dream of Israel’s tribes inGenesis 37:9–11. The text then says, “She was pregnant,” highlighting a literal expectancy within the nation of Israel for the promised Messiah.
- From the fall of humanity, God’s people have lived in anticipation of a Deliverer (Genesis 3:15;Isaiah 7:14, “Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son”). That promise moved from prophecy to history when “when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4).
- The pregnancy image speaks not only of Mary’s literal maternity but also of Israel’s centuries-long role as the covenant people through whom Christ would come (Romans 9:4–5).
Crying out in the pain- “Crying out” captures the distress Israel experienced leading up to Christ’s birth. Roman occupation, Herod’s tyranny (Matthew 2:16–18), and spiritual barrenness created intense longing for deliverance.
- Scripture often links Israel’s suffering with labor-like groans (Jeremiah 30:6–7;Micah 4:9–10). Paul expands the thought to the whole creation: “We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time” (Romans 8:22).
- The phrase also foreshadows a future season of unparalleled anguish—the “time of Jacob’s distress” (Jeremiah 30:7) and the “great tribulation” Jesus describes inMatthew 24:21. Such anguish propels God’s redemptive plan forward and reminds believers that suffering here is temporary and purposeful (John 16:21).
Agony of giving birth- Labor pain intensifies just before delivery. Likewise, Israel’s fiercest hardships immediately preceded Jesus’ first coming and will climax before His second (Matthew 24:8, “All these are the beginning of birth pains”;1 Thessalonians 5:3).
-Micah 5:3 mirrorsRevelation 12’s language: “Therefore Israel will be abandoned until she who is in labor gives birth.” The agony ends with the appearance of the Messiah who will “be their peace” (Micah 5:5).
- On a personal level, believers experience “momentary, light affliction” that “is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). God uses pain to birth His purposes, assuring us that what He begins He finishes (Philippians 1:6).
summaryRevelation 12:2 portrays Israel as a woman literally carrying the Messiah, enduring increasing anguish that both reflects her historical sufferings and anticipates future tribulation. The pregnancy spotlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises; the cries reveal the real cost of redemption; the agony underscores that deliverance often emerges from distress. In every stage, the passage assures us that God brings life out of pain, hope out of hardship, and ultimate victory through the One Israel delivered to the world—Jesus Christ.
(2)
And she . . .--Better,
And being with child,
she crieth, travailing,
and tormented to bring forth. All life dawns in anguish, according to the ancient fiat (
Genesis 3:16); but this is not all. There is an anguish of the Church which Christ laid upon her; it is the law of her life that she must bring forth Christ to the world; it is not simply that she must encounter pain, but that she cannot work deliverance without knowing suffering. Thus the Apostles felt: the love of Christ constrained them; woe it would be to them if they did not preach the Gospel; necessity was laid upon them; they spoke of themselves as travailing in birth over their children till Christ was formed in them. This, then, is the picture, the Church fulfilling her destiny even in pain. The work was to bring forth Christ to men, and never to be satisfied till Christ was formed in them,
i.e., till the spirit of Christ, and the teaching of Christ, and the example of Christ were received, loved, and obeyed, and men transformed to the same image, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
But there was to be opposition; the enemy is on the watch to destroy the likeness of Christ wherever it was seen.
Verse 2. -
And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. The present, "crieth,"
κρὰζει, is found in
א, A, P, Coptic, Andreas in
a et
bav., etc.; the imperfect,
ἐκράζεν, is read in C, Vulgate, 7, 8, 31, etc., Andreas in
c et
p, Primasius; the aorist,
ἐκράζεν, in B, twelve cursives (cf. the words of our Lord in
John 16:21, 22). A similar image occurs in
Isaiah 26:17;
Isaiah 66:7, 8;
Micah 4:10. The trouble which afflicted the Jewish Church, and the longing of the patriarchs for the advent of the Saviour, are here depicted. So also St. Paul, encouraging the Romans to bear patiently their sufferings, says, "The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (
Romans 8:22).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
She was pregnantἔχουσα(echousa)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
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.crying outκράζει(krazei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2896:To cry aloud, shriek. A primary verb; properly, to 'croak' or scream, i.e. to call aloud.in the painὠδίνουσα(ōdinousa)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5605:To be in travail, suffer birth-pangs. From odin; to experience the pains of parturition.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.agonyβασανιζομένη(basanizomenē)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 928:To examine, as by torture; I torment; I buffet, as of waves. From basanos; to torture.of giving birth.τεκεῖν(tekein)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 5088:A strengthened form of a primary teko tek'-o; to produce, literally or figuratively.
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NT Prophecy: Revelation 12:2 She was with child (Rev. Re Apocalypse) 
