A long section about "the end of the world" or, more precisely, "the culmination of an era."
Matthew 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Matthew 24:19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!
So sad, however, the ones in belly holding, also, the ones nursing in those the days.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers have more problems during a crises.
There are several signs that this verse was said in a much lighter tone that the translation. There are no verbs used as verbs here. It is a great example of a verse that is spoken, not written. The effect is that every key word rhymes because they are in the form of a female indirect object, all plural except for one. So when spoken, it would be heard as the repetition of rhyming words, list all ending the same sound. There is a classic play on words.
Even the "woe" that starts this verse is potentially light-hearted. The word is very like the Jewish, "oy vey" which can be used to express sorrow but is more commonly used somewhat lightly. In English, we might say "so sad" or "boo-hoo" depending on how we wanted to express the idea.
The phrase translated as "with child" in the KJV and "pregnant" in the NIV doesn't contain any of those words in Greek, but it does have that sense, but only after the final word of the phrase, the verb "have," which is translated as "are" in the KJV. If the verb was actually "to be" the phrase would refer to being fat. The word translated as "child" actually means "belly." It is hard to know if this phrasing was humorous or merely polite.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "however."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "them" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "are" should be something more like "having."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "are" is not an active verb but a participle, "having."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "child" should be something more like "belly."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "them" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "give suck" is not an active verb but a participle, "nursing."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "days" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "however" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "How" doesn't exist in the source.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "it will be" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "days" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "pregnant" is not an adjective, but a phrase "having in belly."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "women" is not the common word usually translated as "women."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "mothers" should be something more like "the ones."
And -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" joins phrases in an adversarial way and it is usually translated as "but." Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
woe - "Woe" is from an exclamation of grief, meaning "woe" or "alas." However, Jesus seems to use it humorously. Most verses in which it appears have the hallmarks of Christ's humor. However, this one may be an exception. More about this phrase in this article on Christ's humor, under the subtitle, "exaggeration."
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word(s) that requires the addition of a preposition in English: a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for area of effect.
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." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. Since the article is feminine, the sense is "those women.
that -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than a participle.
are -- (WW, WF) The word translated as "are" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "have means to do," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as it is in English. This is not an active verb, but a verbal adjective, "having." This word follows the phrase "in/with belly,"
with -- The word translated as "with" is from a word that means "in" but also means "within," "with," or "among." The sense may well be "in" belly because of the "having" verb.
child, -- (WW) The word translated as "child" actually means "paunch," "belly," "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 verb "to have," which follows in the Greek, these phrase "in/with belly" 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 dative case of the following word(s) that requires the addition of a preposition in English: a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for area of effect.
them -- (CW) The word translated as "unto them that" 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." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. Since the article is feminine, the sense is "those women.
that -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than a participle.
give suck -- (WF) "Give suck" is the adjective form of the verb that means "to nurse" or "to suckle." The sense is "nursing." We would say, "the ones nursing." Again, the form is obviously female. This is not an active verb, but a verbal adjective, "nursing." This word follows the phrase "in/with belly,"
in -- The word translated as "in" is the same preposition translated as "with" earlier, emphasizing the repetition of the verse.
those -- 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.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
days! -- The Greek word translated as "days" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."
missing "however" -- (MW) The untranslated word "however" joins phrases in an adversarial way and it is usually translated as "but." Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. When used in writing, it creates complex sentences, but when spoken, it makes a good pausing point so that an important or humorous word can follow. Its use seems to indicates this verse expresses a different feeling than the one before.
How -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "how" in the Greek source.
dreadful - "Dreadful " is from an exclamation of grief, meaning "woe" or "alas." However, Jesus seems to use it humorously. Most verses in which it appears have the hallmarks of Christ's humor. However, this one may be an exception. More about this phrase in this article on Christ's humor, under the subtitle, "exaggeration."
it will be -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "it will be" in the Greek source.
in -- The word translated as "in" is the same preposition translated as "with" earlier, emphasizing the repetition of the verse.
those -- 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.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "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 dative case of the following word(s) that requires the addition of a preposition in English: a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for area of effect.
pregnant - (WF) The words ranslated as "pregnant" actually mean "having in belly," The verb means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "have means to do," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. The preposition means "in" but also means "within," "with," or "among." The sense may well be "in" belly because of the "having" verb.The noun means "paunch," "belly," "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 verb "to have," which follows in the Greek, these phrase "in/with belly" mean "gluttony."
women -- (CW) The word translated as "mothers" 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." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. Since the article is feminine, the sense is "those women," but it is not the word from "women."
and -- The "and" here is the normal conjunction "and" which can also be used as "also."
nursing - "Nursing" is the adjective form of the verb that means "to nurse" or "to suckle." The sense is "nursing." We would say, "the ones nursing." Again, the form is obviously female.
mothers! -- (WW) The word translated as "unto them that" 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." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. Since the article is feminine, the sense is "those women," but it doesn't mean "mothers."
οὐαὶ [27 verses](exclam) "Woe" is ouai, which is an exclamation of pain or anger meaning "woe" or "alas" but it can be used sarcastically.
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "And" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of cause ("so").
ταῖς [821 verses](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 [413 verses](prep) "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 [3 verses](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 [181 verses](part pl pres act fem dat) "Are" is 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." -- The word translated as "have" means "to possess" or "to keep" but it isn't used in the same way as a "helper" verb that the English "have" is.
καὶ [1089 verses](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."
ταῖς [821 verses](article pl fem dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
θηλαζούσαις [4 verses](part pl pres act fem dat) "To them that give suck" is 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 [413 verses](prep) "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 [107 verses](adj pl fem dat) "Those" is 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) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
ἡμέραις. [96 verses](noun pl fem dat) "Day" is hemera, which, as a noun, means "day" "a state or time of life," "a time (poetic)," "day break" and "day time." It is also and also has a second meaning, of "quiet," "tame (animals)," "cultivated (crops)," and "civilized (people)." --
All the keywords, except one, at in the same form so they rhyme in Greek.
The phrase translated as "with child" means "in gluttony" until the final word.
(Note: In Greek, this verse is a series of rhymes that cannot be translated into English.)
"So sad, however," he said. using a phrase he usually used in derision. "For the ones into their bellies..."
His followers laughed, despite the seriousness of the topic, because the phrase referred to gluttons. Gluttons would have a hard time during hard times.
"Carrying babies," he finished in a tone of mock admonishment. "And the ones nursing..."
His follower laughed again because they saw how he was playing with them,
"In those there days," he finished.