Mark 13:17

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

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

13:14-23 The Jews in rebelling against the Romans, and in persecuting the Christians, hastened their own ruin apace. Here we have a prediction of that ruin which came upon them within less than forty years after this. Such destruction and desolation, that the like cannot be found in any history. Promises of power to persevere, and cautions against falling away, well agree with each other. But the more we consider these things, the more we shall see abundant cause to flee without delay for refuge to Christ, and to renounce every earthly object, for the salvation of our souls.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

On the house-top - See the notes at Matthew 9:1-8.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

17. But woe to them—or, "alas for them."

that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days—in consequence of the aggravated suffering which those conditions would involve.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Mark 13:15"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But woe to them that are with child,.... Who because of their burdens, would be very unfit for, and very incapable of fleeing with any haste; and therefore very liable to fall into the hands of the enemy, and become their prey:

and to them that give suck in those days; who could not bear to leave their children behind, and yet would not be able to carry them with them; at least not without great trouble, and which would much retard their flight, and endanger their being taken by the enemy; See Gill on Matthew 24:19.

Geneva Study Bible

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

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! Women in this condition would be specially objects of pity, for they would be more exposed to danger. The words, "Woe to them (οὐαι)!" are an exclamation of pity, as, though it was said, "Alas! for them." Josephus (7:8) mentions that some mothers, constrained by hunger during the siege, devoured their own infants! Mark 13:17