John 16:21
New International Version
A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

New Living Translation
It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world.

English Standard Version
When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

Berean Standard Bible
A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.

Berean Literal Bible
The woman has pain when she is giving birth, because her hour has come; but when she brings forth the child, she remembers the tribulation no longer, on account of the joy that a man has been born into the world.

King James Bible
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

New King James Version
A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

New American Standard Bible
Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.

NASB 1995
“Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.

NASB 1977
“Whenever a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she remembers the anguish no more, for joy that a child has been born into the world.

Legacy Standard Bible
Whenever a woman is in labor she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.

Amplified Bible
A woman, when she is in labor, has pain because her time [to give birth] has come; but when she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of her joy that a child has come into the world.

Christian Standard Bible
When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When a woman is in labor she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world.

American Standard Version
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world.

Contemporary English Version
When a woman is about to give birth, she is in great pain. But after it is all over, she forgets the pain and is happy, because she has brought a child into the world.

English Revised Version
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A woman has pain when her time to give birth comes. But after the child is born, she doesn't remember the pain anymore because she's happy that a child has been brought into the world.

Good News Translation
When a woman is about to give birth, she is sad because her hour of suffering has come; but when the baby is born, she forgets her suffering, because she is happy that a baby has been born into the world.

International Standard Version
When a woman is in labor she has pain, because her time has come. Yet when she has given birth to her child, she doesn't remember the agony anymore because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world.

Majority Standard Bible
A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.

NET Bible
When a woman gives birth, she has distress because her time has come, but when her child is born, she no longer remembers the suffering because of her joy that a human being has been born into the world.

New Heart English Bible
A woman, when she gives birth, has pain, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she does not remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.

Webster's Bible Translation
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

Weymouth New Testament
A woman, when she is in labour, has sorrow, because her time has come. But when she has given birth to the babe, she no longer remembers the pain, because of her joy at a child being born into the world.

World English Bible
A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The woman, when she may bear, has sorrow, because her hour came, and when she may bear the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, because of the joy that a man was born into the world.

Berean Literal Bible
The woman has pain when she is giving birth, because her hour has come; but when she brings forth the child, she remembers the tribulation no longer, on account of the joy that a man has been born into the world.

Young's Literal Translation
'The woman, when she may bear, hath sorrow, because her hour did come, and when she may bear the child, no more doth she remember the anguish, because of the joy that a man was born to the world.

Smith's Literal Translation
A woman when she should bring forth, has grief, because her hour has come: and when the child should be born, she no more remembers the anguish, for the joy that a man was born into the world.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A woman, when she is in labour, hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but when she hath brought forth the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world.

New American Bible
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.

New Revised Standard Version
When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When a woman is in travail, she is depressed, because her day has arrived; but when she has given birth to a son, she no longer remembers her troubles, because of the joy that a male child is born into the world.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because the day for her delivery has arrived, but when she has delivered a son, she does not remember the distress for the joy that a son has been born into the world.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow, be cause her hour has come; but when the child is born, she no longer remembers the pain, for joy that a man is born into the world.

Godbey New Testament
When a woman may bring forth she has sorrow, because her hour has come: but when the little child may be born, she remembers her suffering no more, for the joy that a man has been born into the world.

Haweis New Testament
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when the little son is born, she no more remembers the anguish, for joy that a man is brought into the world.

Mace New Testament
a woman when she is in travail, is afflicted at the approach of her pains: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, the remembrance of her anguish, is lost in her joy, that a man is born into the world.

Weymouth New Testament
A woman, when she is in labour, has sorrow, because her time has come. But when she has given birth to the babe, she no longer remembers the pain, because of her joy at a child being born into the world.

Worrell New Testament
A woman, when she is in travail, has sorrow, because her hour came; but, when she bears the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, because of the joy that a man was born into the world.

Worsley New Testament
A woman when she is in labor, hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but when she is delivered of the child, she thinks no more of the anguish, for joy, that a man is born into the world.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Grief to Joy
20Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. 22So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.…

Cross References
Isaiah 26:17
As a woman with child about to give birth writhes and cries out in pain, so were we in Your presence, O LORD.

Isaiah 66:7-9
“Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before she was in pain, she delivered a boy. / Who has heard of such as this? Who has seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be delivered in an instant? Yet as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children. / Shall I bring a baby to the point of birth and not deliver it?” says the LORD. “Or will I who deliver close the womb?” says your God.

Micah 4:9-10
Why do you now cry aloud? Is there no king among you? Has your counselor perished so that anguish grips you like a woman in labor? / Writhe in agony, O Daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor. For now you will leave the city and camp in the open fields. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued; there the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies!

Genesis 3:16
To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

Jeremiah 30:6
Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale?

Hosea 13:13
Labor pains come upon him, but he is an unwise son. When the time arrives, he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb.

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Romans 8:22
We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.

Galatians 4:19
My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

Revelation 12:2
She was pregnant and crying out in the pain and agony of giving birth.

Matthew 24:8
All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Mark 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

John 3:3-6
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” / “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?” / Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. ...

John 7:33-34
So Jesus said, “I am with you only a little while longer, and then I am going to the One who sent Me. / You will look for Me, but you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.”

John 14:18-20
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. / In a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. / On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.


Treasury of Scripture

A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

woman.

Genesis 3:16
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Isaiah 26:16-18
LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them…

Jeremiah 30:6,7
Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? …

for.

Genesis 21:6,7
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me…

Genesis 30:23,24
And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: …

1 Samuel 1:26,27
And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD…

Jump to Previous
Account Anguish Babe Baby Bear Birth Born Child Delivered Forgets Gives Hour Human Joy Labour Remember Remembereth Remembers Soon Sorrow Time Travail Trouble World
Jump to Next
Account Anguish Babe Baby Bear Birth Born Child Delivered Forgets Gives Hour Human Joy Labour Remember Remembereth Remembers Soon Sorrow Time Travail Trouble World
John 16
1. Jesus comforts his disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit, and his ascension;
23. assures their prayers made in his name to be acceptable.
33. Peace in Jesus, and in the world affliction.














A woman has pain in childbirth
The phrase "a woman has pain in childbirth" draws from the Greek word "λύπη" (lypē), which signifies sorrow or pain. This imagery is deeply rooted in the Genesis account, where childbirth pain is part of the curse following the Fall (Genesis 3:16). Historically, childbirth has been a perilous and painful process, symbolizing the trials and tribulations faced in life. In a broader spiritual context, this pain can be seen as the suffering and struggles believers endure in the world, awaiting the fulfillment of God's promises.

because her time has come
The phrase "because her time has come" uses the Greek "ὥρα" (hōra), meaning hour or time. This indicates a divinely appointed moment, much like the "hour" of Jesus' own suffering and glorification. It suggests that there is a purpose and a season for every trial, ordained by God. Theologically, it reassures believers that their sufferings are not random but are part of God's sovereign plan.

but when she brings forth her child
The transition "but when she brings forth her child" introduces a shift from pain to joy. The Greek "γεννήσῃ" (gennēsē) means to give birth, emphasizing the culmination of the labor process. This reflects the biblical theme of redemption and new beginnings, where suffering leads to the birth of something new and glorious. It is a metaphor for the resurrection and the new life believers have in Christ.

she forgets her anguish
The phrase "she forgets her anguish" uses the Greek "μνημονεύει" (mnēmoneuei), meaning to remember or recall. The forgetting here is not literal but signifies the overwhelming joy that overshadows past pain. This mirrors the Christian hope that the glory to come will far outweigh present sufferings (Romans 8:18). It is a promise of divine comfort and restoration.

because of her joy
"Because of her joy" highlights the Greek "χαρά" (chara), meaning joy or gladness. This joy is profound and transformative, rooted in the fulfillment of God's promises. It is a foretaste of the eternal joy believers will experience in God's presence. Theologically, it underscores the Christian belief in joy as a fruit of the Spirit, transcending circumstances.

that a man is born into the world
Finally, "that a man is born into the world" uses the Greek "ἄνθρωπος" (anthrōpos), meaning human or man. This birth signifies the arrival of new life and hope. In a Christological sense, it echoes the incarnation of Christ, the ultimate "man" born into the world to bring salvation. It serves as a reminder of the new creation believers become in Christ, symbolizing the hope and renewal available through Him.

(21) A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow.--The Greek is more exactly, the woman . . . hath pangs--that is, "the woman in the well-known illustration." (See Note on John 15:15.) This figure was of frequent use in the prophets. (Comp. Isaiah 21:3; Isaiah 26:17-18, and especially Isaiah 66:7-8; Jeremiah 4:31; Jeremiah 22:23; Jeremiah 30:6; Hosea 13:13-14; Micah 4:9-10.) . . . Verse 21. - The next illustration is very remarkable, and surely cannot be a simple analogy of the supervening of joy on sorrow. The woman (the article does not point to any special γυνή, but refers to a universal fact and law of womanhood, cf. ὁ δοῦλος, John 15:15) when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come. So now there are the travail-pangs of the new humanity, the new theocracy, bitter and terrible, But as soon as she has brought forth the child, she remembereth no longer the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world. The old prophets often compared the grief of Israel or her peril to the pangs of a travailing woman preluding deliverance (Isaiah 21:3; Isaiah 26:17; Isaiah 66:6, 7; Hosea 13:13) and even joy - the joy of bringing manhood into the world and the new consciousness of maternity. Meyer and others rebel against any meaning beyond that of the following of joy upon sorrow; but Tholuck, De Wette, Ebrard, and Moulton see here the obvious reference to those "travail-pangs of death" with which St. Peter (Acts 3:24) said that the Holy One could not be restrained, agonies in which for a while every apostle must have wept and lamented, dying and being crucified with him, and to the glorious deliverance of all who suffered with him, when they live again in newness of life by the power of his resurrection.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
A woman
γυνὴ (gynē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

has
ἔχει (echei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

pain
λύπην (lypēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3077: Pain, grief, sorrow, affliction. Apparently a primary word; sadness.

in childbirth
τίκτῃ (tiktē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5088: A strengthened form of a primary teko tek'-o; to produce, literally or figuratively.

because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

her
αὐτῆς (autēs)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

time
ὥρα (hōra)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5610: Apparently a primary word; an 'hour'.

has come;
ἦλθεν (ēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

when
ὅταν (hotan)
Conjunction
Strong's 3752: When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.

she brings forth
γεννήσῃ (gennēsē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1080: From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.

[her]
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

child,
παιδίον (paidion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3813: Neuter diminutive of pais; a childling, i.e., an infant, or a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature Christian.

she forgets
μνημονεύει (mnēmoneuei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3421: From a derivative of mneme; to exercise memory, i.e. Recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse.

[her]
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

anguish
θλίψεως (thlipseōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2347: Persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation. From thlibo; pressure.

because of
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

[her]
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

joy
χαρὰν (charan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5479: Joy, gladness, a source of joy. From chairo; cheerfulness, i.e. Calm delight.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

a child
ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

has been born
ἐγεννήθη (egennēthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1080: From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

world.
κόσμον (kosmon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).


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NT Gospels: John 16:21 A woman when she gives birth has (Jhn Jo Jn)
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