Jesus describes the end of Jerusalem.
Luke 21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
Luke 21:23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.
Too bad for the ones carrying in a womb and the ones nursing in those days there. Because there will be a great natural need upon the earth also a natural impulse in the multitude, this one.
The words translated as "wrath" and "people" are used by Jesus only here. The word translated as "wrath" more commonly means a "natural impulse". The word translated as "people" means something more like "multitude", referring to a crowd of people assembled.
The word meaning "natural impulse" is balanced against another word that Jesus only uses twice. It is translated as "distress" but its primary meaning is "natural need".
We can be overwhelmed by our impulses and needs.
οὐαὶ ταῖς ἐν γαστρὶ ἐχούσαις καὶ ταῖς θηλαζούσαις ἐν ἐκείναις ταῖς ἡμέραις:
Too bad for the ones in a womb carrying and the ones nursing in there those days .
ἔσται γὰρ ἀνάγκη μεγάλη ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ὀργὴ τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ,
there will be Because a natural need, great upon the earth and a natural impulse in the multitude, this one.
But(OS) woe unto them(CW) that(IW) [are with child(PP)], and to them(CW) that(IW) give suck(WF), in those(CW) (MW) days! for there shall be great distress(CW) in(CW) the land(WW), and wrath upon this(CW) (MW) people(CW).
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "but" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today..
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "them",
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- PP -- Paraphrase - The phrase "carrying in in a womb" exists in the source but "are with child" doesn't.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "them".
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "sucking".
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "those".
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "these/those/the" before "days" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "distress" should be something more like "force".
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "in".
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "land" should be something more like "earth".
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "this".
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "people" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "people" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "those".
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "these/those/the" before "days" is not shown in the English translation.
- PP3 -- Paraphrase - The phrase "the ones carrying in a womb" exists in the source but "are with child" doesn't.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the ones" before "nursing" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "mothers" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "for" before "there" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "distress" should be something more like "force".
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "in".
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "land" should be something more like "earth".
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "against".
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "this".
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "people" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "people".
But -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as this in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
woe - "Woe" is from an exclamation of grief, meaning "woe" or "alas". Jesus uses it humorously. Today we would say "so sad for you" or "boo-hoo to you". The word is very like the Jewish, "oy vey" which can be used to express sorrow but is more commonly used cynically. More about this phrase in this article on Christ's humor, under the subtitle, "exaggeration".
unto -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
them -- (CW) The word translated as "them " is from the Greek article, "the", which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." This is not the word usually translated as "them".
that -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
are with child -- (PP) The Greek words meaning "carrying in in a womb" here are not translated but instead their assumed meaning is paraphrased into different words. The untranslated word for "have" appears here, but it is in the form of an adjective, "carrying in in a womb". The word translated as "with" is from a word that means "in" but also means "within", "with" or "among". The word translated as "child" means "paunch", "belly",998 "gluttony" with en, or "womb". With the verb "to have" and the preposition en, it means "have in the belly" in the sense of "big with child." Until the next word, these two words mean "gluttony".
and -- The "and" here is the normal conjunction "and" which can also be used as "also".
to -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
them -- (CW) The word translated as "them " is from the Greek article, "the", which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones". This is not the word usually translated as "them".
that -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
give suck -- (WF) "To them that give suck" is from a noun form of the verb that means "to suck". We would say, "the ones sucking or nursing'. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "sucking".
in -- The word translated as "in" is the same one as used above, emphasizing the repetition of the verse.
those -- (CW) The word translated as "those" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there". It seems to indicate that the "days" are about a certain place as well as time. This is not the word usually translated as "those".
missing "these/those/the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these" and "those"). See this article for more.
days -- The Greek word translated as "days" also means "time", in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime".
for -- The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why". However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause".
there -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
be -- The verb "be" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. This is the first active verb in this verse. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.
great - The word translated as "great" means "big", "high", "great" and "impressive".
distress -- (WW) "Distress" is a noun that is uncommon for Jesus. It doesn't means "distress" but "force", "constraint", "necessity" and "natural need". It means the natural forces that require things to be as they are. The contrast in this verse is between the natural force of nature on the earth and the natural impulses within people. This word doesn't mean "distress".
in -- The word translated as "in" means "on", "over", "upon", "against", "before", "after", "during", "by" or "on". When used with "the earth" it is almost always translated as "upon". This is not the word usually translated as "in".
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more.
land -- (WW) The word translated as "land" means "earth", "ground" and "dirt". It refers to the physical planet, not society, which Christ describes as the world. See this article for more on these words. This word doesn't mean "land".
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
wrath -- "Wrath" is a word that Jesus uses uniquely here. It means a "natural impulse", " propensity", "temperament", "disposition", "mood", "anger" and "wrath". The "natural" connects it to the "distress" word above. This is the natural impulse within people. We might say "moodiness".
upon -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word "people" that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with", "in", "of", "as", "by", "for", "at" or "on" depending on the context.
this -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" or "this/that thing".
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these" and "those"). See this article for more.
people - (CW) "People" is another word that Jesus only uses here. The word is used throughout the Gospels to refer to the crowds of people that Jesus draws, but Jesus only uses it here. It means "men", "people assembled", "the multitude", and"people" of one name. The phrase "wrath of the people" describes the moodiness of crowds.
How dreadful - "How dreadful" is from an exclamation of grief, meaning "woe" or "alas". Jesus uses it humorously. Today we would say "so sad for you" or "boo-hoo to you." The word is very like the Jewish, "oy vey" which can be used to express sorrow but is more commonly used cynically. More about this phrase in this article on Christ's humor, under the subtitle, "exaggeration".
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
be -- The verb "be" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. This is the first active verb in this verse. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.
in -- The word translated as "in" is the same one as used above, emphasizing the repetition of the verse.
those -- (CW) The word translated as "those" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there". It seems to indicate that the "days" are about a certain place as well as time. This is not the word usually translated as "those".
missing "these/those/the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these" and "those"). See this article for more.
days -- The Greek word translated as "days" also means "time", in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime".
for -- This word "for" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with", "in", "of", "as", "by", "for", "at" or "on" depending on the context.
pregnant women -- -- (PP) The Greek words meaning "the ones carrying in a womb" here are not translated but instead their assumed meaning is paraphrased into different words. The word translated as "the ones" is from the Greek article, "the", which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones". This is not the word usually translated as "them". The untranslated word for "have" appears here, but it also means "to carry", is in the form of an adjective, "carrying". The word translated as "in" is from a word that means "in" but also means "within", "with" or "among". The word translated as "child" means "paunch", "belly", "gluttony" or "womb".
and -- The "and" here is the normal conjunction "and" which can also be used as "also".
missing "the ones" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the ones", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these" and "those"). See this article for more.
nursing -- "Nursing" is from a noun form of the verb that means "to suck". We would say, "the ones sucking or nursing". This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "nursing".
mothers -- -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
missing "for" -- (MW) The untranslated word "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why". However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause".
there -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
be -- The verb "be" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. This is the first active verb in this verse. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.
great - The word translated as "great" means "big", "high", "great" and "impressive".
distress -- (WW) "Distress" is a noun that is uncommon for Jesus. It doesn't mean "distress", but "force", "constraint", "necessity" and "natural need". It means the natural forces that require things to be as they are. The contrast in this verse is between the natural force of nature on the earth and the natural impulses within people. This word doesn't mean "distress".
in -- The word translated as "in" means "on", "over", "upon", "against", "before", "after", "during", "by" or "on". When used with "the earth" it is almost always translated as "upon". This is not the word usually translated as "in".
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") than the English "the". See this article for more.
land -- (WW) The word translated as "land" means "earth", "ground" and "dirt". It refers to the physical planet, not society, which Christ describes as the world. See this article for more on these words. This word doesn't mean "land".
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
wrath -- "Wrath" is a word that Jesus uses uniquely here. It means a "natural impulse", "propensity", "temperament", "disposition", "mood", "anger" and "wrath". The "natural" connects it to the "distress" word above. This is the natural impulse within people. We might say "moodiness".
against -- (CW) This word "against" comes from the indirect object form of the following word "people" that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with", "in", "of", "as", "by", "for", "at" or "on" depending on the context. This is not one of the common words usually translated as "against".
this -- The word translated as "this" means "from here" or "this/that thing".
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these" and "those"). See this article for more.
people - (CW) "People" is another word that Jesus only uses here. The word is used throughout the Gospels to refer to the crowds of people that Jesus draws, but Jesus only uses it here. It means "men", "people assembled", "the multitude" and"people" of one name. The phrase "wrath of the people" describes the moodiness of crowds.
οὐαὶ (exclam) "Woe" is from ouai, which is an exclamation of pain or anger meaning "woe" or "alas" but it can be used sarcastically.
ταῖς (article pl fem dat) "Unto them that" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
ἐν "With" is from en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power" and "with".
γαστρὶ (noun sg fem dat) "Child" is from gaster, which means "paunch", "belly", "gluttony", with en, or "womb". With the verb "to have" and the preposition en, it usually means "big with child".
ἐχούσαις (part pl pres act fem dat) "Have" is from echo, which means "to have", "to hold", "to possess", "to keep", "to have charge of", "to maintain", "to hold fast", "to bear", "to carry", "to keep close", "to keep safe" and "to have means to do".
καὶ "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and" or "also". After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also". Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also" and "just".
ταῖς [821 verses](article sg fem dat) "Them" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
θηλαζούσαις (part pl pres act fem dat) "To them that give suck" is from thelazo, which means "to suckle", "to nurse" and "to suck" (for animals)". This is the present participle form used as a female dative noun.
ἐν "With" is from en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power" and "with".
ἐκείναις (adj pl fem dat) "Those" is from ekeinos, which means "the person there", "that person", "that thing", "in that case", "in that way", "at that place" and "in that manner".
ταῖς [821 verses](article pl fem dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
ἡμέραις. (noun pl fem dat) "Day" is from hemera, which, as a noun, means "day", "a state or time of life", "a time" (poetic), "day break" and "day time". It is also has a second meaning, of "quiet", "tame" (animals), "cultivated" (crops), and "civilized" (people).
ἔσται ( verb 3rd sg fut ind mid ) "There shall be" is eimi, which means "to be", "to exist", "to be the case", of circumstance and events "to happen" and "is possible".
γὰρ (partic) "For" comes from gar which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for", "since" and "as". In an abrupt question, it means "why" and "what".
ἀνάγκη [2 verses] (noun sg fem nom ) "Distress" is from ananke which means "force", "constraint", " necessity" and "natural need". It means the natural forces that require things to be as they are.
μεγάλη ( adj sg fem nom ) "Great" is megas, which means "big", "full-grown", "vast", "high", "great", "mighty", "strong" (of the elements),"loud" (of sounds), "over-great" (with a bad sense), "impressive" (of style), and "long" ( of days).
ἐπὶ (prep) "In" is epi, which means "on", "over", "upon", "at", "by", "before", "across", "after" in position, "during" and "against".
τῆς [821 verses](article sg fem gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
γῆς ( noun sg fem gen ) "Land" is ge, which means "the element of earth", "land" (country), "arable land", "the ground" and "the world" as the opposite of the sky. Like our English word "earth", it means both dirt and the planet.
καὶ (conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and" or "also". After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also". Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also" and "just".
ὀργὴ [1 verse]( noun sg fem nom ) "Wrath" is orge, which means a "natural impulse", "propensity", "temperament", "disposition", "mood", "anger" and "wrath".
τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
λαῷ [[1 verse]]( noun sg masc dat ) "People" is from laos, which means "men", "people assembled", "the multitude" and "people" of one name.
τούτῳ, ( adj sg masc dat ) "This" is touto, which means "from here", "from there", "this" [thing], or "that [thing].
The first part of this verse is nearly the same as Matthew 24:19 and Mark 13:17.