Devine Scripture

Mark 13:17

What does Mark 13:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 13:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 13:17 means

Jesus expressed deep sorrow for those who would be especially vulnerable during this period of intense tribulation: "woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!" This lament reflects the extreme hardship and suffering that pregnant women and nursing mothers would face during such a sudden and desperate flight. Their physical condition would severely hinder their ability to escape quickly and endure the rigors of flight, highlighting the profound severity of the impending crisis.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And it will be hard for women who are with child and for her who has a baby at the breast in those days.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And woe to those with child, and to those giving suck, in those days;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And woe to them that are with child and that give suck in those days.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But woe to those that are with child and to those that give suck in those days!

Context

After detailing urgent instructions for flight in verses 14-16, this verse expresses Jesus' compassionate concern for those most vulnerable during the tribulation. It highlights the extreme severity of the impending crisis by considering the acute difficulties faced by pregnant and nursing mothers. This lament further emphasizes the desperate nature of the flight, leading into the plea for prayer concerning specific difficult circumstances in the next verse.

v.16and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak.

v.17This passage

v.18And pray ye that it be not in the winter.

Cross references

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

  • Deuteronomy 28:56

    The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,

  • Luke 21:23

    Woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! for there shall be great distress upon the land, and wrath unto this people.

  • Hosea 9:14

    Give them, O Jehovah—what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.

  • Lamentations 4:10

    The hands of the pitiful women have boiled their own children; They were their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

  • Hosea 13:16

    Samaria shall bear her guilt; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword; their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.

  • Lamentations 4:3

    Even the jackals draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: The daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

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