Mark 13:17 Meaning and Explanation
“But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus grieves for those who will be pregnant or nursing infants in those days of flight.
What Does Mark 13:17 Mean?
In the middle of urgent commands, Jesus pauses over the most vulnerable: expectant mothers and mothers with babies at the breast, for whom sudden flight would be slow, dangerous, and heartbreaking. 'Woe' here is not a curse pronounced on them but a lament for them — the ache of compassion.
The verse opens a window into the heart of Christ. Foretelling judgment on a city, he feels its weight where it will press hardest — on women and infants. Nothing about coming tribulation makes him callous toward individual suffering. The Lord who sees history's vast movements also sees the mother trying to run with a child in her arms. No one is a statistic to him; his prophecies carry tears in them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 13:17
What does Mark 13:17 mean?
Jesus grieves for those who will be pregnant or nursing infants in those days of flight.