Mark 13:17 Meaning: Why Woe for Pregnant Mothers?
But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days!
But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!
`And woe to those with child, and to those giving suck, in those days;
But woe to those that are with child and to those that give suck in those days!
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Jesus warn pregnant mothers in Mark 13:17? Their condition made flight almost impossible.
Context
Jesus is sitting on the Mount of Olives, looking across at the temple in Jerusalem. His disciples have just pointed out the magnificent stones of the building, and He has shocked them by saying it will all be torn down. The chapter that follows, Mark 13, is often called the Olivet Discourse. Jesus speaks of wars, earthquakes, and betrayal, then warns of a coming tribulation unlike anything the world has seen.
In the middle of these warnings, He gives very practical instructions. When the sign appears, do not go back into the house. Do not return for your cloak. Flee to the mountains. Then He pauses to say something tender. A woe for women who are carrying or nursing babies. The warning is not a curse; it is a cry of compassion. He knows what is coming, and He knows who will suffer most.
Key Words
Two Greek words carry the heart of this verse. The first is ouai, usually translated “woe.” It is not a threat but a cry of grief, something like “Alas!” Jesus is not pronouncing judgment on these mothers. He is lamenting what they will face. The word comes from deep sorrow, not anger.
Then there is the word behind “with child”: gastri, meaning womb or belly. It points to a specific, heavy condition. The women are carrying new life when their own lives are at risk. And thēlazousais, “nursing infants,” pictures a mother holding a hungry baby to her breast. Both words describe total dependence: the mother is tethered to her child, and fleeing fast is almost impossible.
Jesus is not scolding. He is naming the exact kind of suffering that makes your stomach tighten. He sees the mother who cannot move quickly, the baby who cannot be left. And He grieves because He knows what is ahead. The same Jesus who feeds the crowd also counts the steps of a pregnant woman.
How Christians Read This Verse
Most Christians agree that this verse applies first to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. The Jewish historian Josephus recorded that during the Roman siege, mothers were so desperate that they boiled and ate their own children, a horror the Old Testament prophets had also predicted (Lamentations 4:10; Deuteronomy 28:56-57). Jesus saw that coming and wept in advance.
Many traditions also read this as pointing to a future end-time tribulation. The same urgency appears: when the abomination of desolation appears, flee without delay. In either reading, the point is the same. Jesus has special care for those who are unable to run, and He wants His hearers to pray and prepare in ways that protect the most vulnerable. Some Christians see a call here to advocate for pregnant women and nursing mothers in crisis situations today.
A common misunderstanding
A common reading is that Jesus is cursing pregnant women, as if He is blaming them for being in that condition. In fact, the word “woe” in Greek (ouai) is an exclamation of grief, not a sentence of punishment. Jesus is sorrowful about what will happen to them, not angry at them. He singles them out because their situation is hardest, not because they are at fault.
Living This Out
This week, maybe you are not in a flight for your life, but you are in a season where you cannot move quickly. You carry a heavy burden, a sick parent, a child with special needs, a job that leaves you bone-tired. You wonder if anyone sees how hard this is.
Jesus sees. He does not scold you for being slow. He says, “Woe to those who are with child,” and He means: I know you are carrying something precious and it makes you vulnerable. I am not going to pretend it is easy. If you are the one who feels stuck, let His lament be your comfort. And if you are able to run, look for those who cannot. Ask how to lighten their load. That is what Jesus did.
Main takeaway: Jesus grieves for the vulnerable who cannot escape, and He calls His people to see them and care for them in their hardest hour.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus talked about some very hard days. He said it would be especially hard for moms who are pregnant or have little babies because they cannot run fast. Jesus loves those moms and babies very much. He wants us to help people who have a hard time getting away from danger.
For ages 9, 12
In a big speech about hard times, Jesus paused to talk about pregnant women and nursing mothers. He was not angry at them. He was sad because He knew they would have the hardest time escaping. The Bible shows us that God always pays attention to people who are most in danger. Sometimes we think about ourselves first, but Jesus wants us to notice who is struggling most and do what we can to help them, even if helping just means staying close and praying.
Questions People Ask
Is Jesus cursing pregnant women in Mark 13:17?
No. The Greek word translated 'woe' (ouai) is a cry of grief, not a curse. Jesus is lamenting what these mothers will suffer, not condemning them. He singles them out because their situation is hardest, not because they have done wrong.
Does this verse only apply to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70?
Many Christians believe its first meaning was the Roman siege of Jerusalem, as described by the historian Josephus. But most also see it as a warning for any time of great tribulation, including a future end-times crisis. The principle, God cares for the vulnerable and calls for urgent action, applies across eras.
What does the word 'woe' mean in the Bible?
The Greek word ouai is an exclamation of sorrow or alarm. It is used when a person is horrified at what they see coming. Jesus is not pronouncing a punishment but joining in the grief of those who will suffer.
How does this verse relate to mothers today?
The verse does not say that all pregnant women will suffer. But it shows that Jesus is aware of the unique challenges of motherhood, especially in crisis. For mothers who feel slow, burdened, or overwhelmed, Jesus offers compassion rather than frustration.
Why did Jesus have to warn about fleeing to the mountains?
In both ancient warfare and future tribulation, speed is essential. A pregnant or nursing mother cannot move quickly, carry supplies, or abandon her child. Jesus gave this warning so that believers would pray for favorable conditions (Mark 13:18) and plan ahead to protect the most vulnerable.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study