The Meaning of Mark 13:17 Explained

Mark 13:17

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

YLT: 'And woe to those with child, and to those giving suck, in those days;

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

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

What is the context of Mark 13:17?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Mark 13:17 Mean?

Context Summary

Mark 13:14-37 - "watch!"
The fall of Jerusalem, Mark 13:14-23. This abomination had been predicted by Daniel, Daniel 9:27, Josephus says that the Romans brought their standards into the Temple, and offered sacrifices to them, and proclaimed Titus emperor. Probably there is to be a yet further fulfillment of these significant words. Houses in the East are, for the most part, provided with staircases outside the wall, so that the occupants, seeing the approach of danger, could flee without going through their homes, Mark 13:15. The ungodly owe more than they realize to the elect who dwell among them, Mark 13:20. Let us not be deceived by the appearance of false doctrines or teachers; there are also false Christs, Mark 13:22.
The second advent, Mark 13:24-27. These signs may refer to the disorganization of political rule, or to literal convulsions of the elements. The ministry of angels was very real to Jesus, and their function in the future ages is clearly defined. As Enoch was translated before the deluge, so will the saints be gathered before the final sorrows, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17. It would seem as if Christ's coming is to bring summer to our world. This generation may refer to the fact that the Jewish people would remain as a distinct people. Our Lord had so emptied Himself, that in His human nature He knew not the hour, and was content to know only as the Father told Him. He has now resumed the glory of the knowledge which He had before all worlds. Have we each one found our work? Let us watch! [source]

Chapter Summary: Mark 13

1  Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple;
9  the persecutions for the gospel;
10  that the gospel must be preached to all nations;
14  that great calamities shall happen to the Jews;
24  and the manner of his coming to judgment;
32  the hour whereof being known to none, every man is to watch and pray

What do the individual words in Mark 13:17 mean?

Woe then to those in womb having and to the [ones] nursing infants those - days
Οὐαὶ δὲ ταῖς ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσαις καὶ ταῖς θηλαζούσαις ἐκείναις ταῖς ἡμέραις

Οὐαὶ  Woe 
Parse: Interjection
Root: οὐαί  
Sense: alas, woe.
ταῖς  to  those 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
γαστρὶ  womb 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: γαστήρ  
Sense: the belly.
ταῖς  to  the  [ones] 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
θηλαζούσαις  nursing  infants 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: θηλάζω  
Sense: to give the breast, give suck, to suckle.
ἐκείναις  those 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ἐκεῖνος  
Sense: he, she it, etc.
ταῖς  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἡμέραις  days 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ἡμέρα  
Sense: the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.