Devine Scripture

Matthew 24:8

What does Matthew 24:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 24:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 24:8 means

Jesus summarizes the preceding signs—false Christs, wars, famines, and earthquakes—by declaring, "But all these things are the beginning of travail." The Greek word for 'travail' refers to birth pains, vividly illustrating that these events are not the end itself but rather increasingly intense and frequent precursors to a greater event, just as labor pains precede childbirth. This metaphor provides a vital interpretative key, helping believers understand that the true end will be preceded by a period of escalating global distress.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But all these things are the beginning of travail.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

All these are the beginning of sorrows.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But all these things are the beginning of travail.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But all these things are the first of the troubles.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and all these <FI>are<Fi> the beginning of sorrows;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now all these are the beginnings of sorrows.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But all these [are the] beginning of throes.

Context

This verse serves as a crucial interpretative conclusion to the preceding enumeration of signs—false Christs, wars, famines, and earthquakes. By labeling them the 'beginning of travail,' Jesus offers a framework for understanding their significance, distinguishing these initial indicators from the intensified suffering and persecution He is about to describe, which will directly follow these birth pains.

v.7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and earthquakes in divers places.

v.8This passage

v.9Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name’s sake.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 9:17

    Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for every one is profane and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:3

    When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.

  • Deuteronomy 28:59

    then Jehovah will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.

  • Isaiah 9:21

    Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

  • Isaiah 9:12

    the Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

  • Isaiah 10:4

    They shall only bow down under the prisoners, and shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

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