Meaning of Luke 21:23

This verse, Luke 21:23, describes a specific and harrowing consequence of the impending judgment that Jesus foretells, focusing on the acute suffering that will befall the most vulnerable: pregnant women and nursing mothers. Jesus is speaking to his disciples on the Mount of Olives, answering their questions about the destruction of the temple and the signs of his coming and the end of the age. The "dreadful" nature of these days is amplified by the particular plight of those who are physically dependent on others for sustenance and protection, as well as those who are actively nurturing new life. This intensified distress highlights the severity of the coming judgment, which will not discriminate in its devastation, impacting even those in the most fragile states of life.

Context and Background

Jesus' discourse in Luke 21 is part of a larger prophetic teaching about the end times, often referred to as the Olivet Discourse. He predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple, an event that occurred in 70 CE under the Roman Empire. However, the language also carries eschatological weight, pointing towards a final consummation of God's judgment. The disciples' questions about when these events would occur and what signs would precede them prompt Jesus' detailed response. The specific mention of pregnant and nursing mothers underscores the widespread chaos and violence that will characterize this period, making even the continuation of life a perilous endeavor.

Key Themes and Messages

The primary themes are judgment, distress, and wrath. Jesus emphasizes the unparalleled suffering that will accompany this judgment, making it clear that it will be a time of immense tribulation. The vulnerability of pregnant and nursing mothers serves as a poignant illustration of this universal suffering. The phrase "great distress in the land" speaks to a societal breakdown and widespread calamity, while "wrath against this people" directly attributes this suffering to divine displeasure and punitive action against those who have rejected God's covenant and Messiah.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of rejecting God and His appointed path. It underscores the seriousness of divine judgment and the need for repentance and faithfulness. For believers, it is a call to vigilance and preparedness, not in a way that fosters fear, but in a way that encourages a steadfast commitment to Christ amidst the uncertainties and potential hardships of life. It also highlights God's awareness of and concern for the vulnerable, even within the context of judgment.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This prophecy aligns with the biblical pattern of divine judgment following persistent disobedience and rejection of God's will. Throughout the Old Testament, prophets like Jeremiah warned of impending destruction upon Israel for their sins, often describing the suffering of women and children. In the New Testament, Jesus' teachings consistently point to a future reckoning. This passage also foreshadows the ultimate cosmic judgment described in the book of Revelation, where the severity of God's wrath is fully revealed.

Analogies

One analogy for the distress of pregnant and nursing mothers during this time would be a natural disaster of unprecedented scale, such as a massive earthquake or tsunami, where the immediate and most devastating impact is felt by those least able to escape or protect themselves. Another analogy could be a besieged city where the inhabitants face starvation and extreme hardship, with the most vulnerable suffering the most acutely. The inability to protect and nurture the most helpless signifies the complete breakdown of order and security.

Relation to Other Verses

Luke 21:23 resonates with several other biblical passages:

• Luke 21:24: This verse immediately follows, stating, "They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." This expands on the consequences beyond immediate physical suffering to include exile and subjugation.
• Matthew 24:19: Parallel to Luke, Matthew records Jesus saying, "How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!" This confirms the shared prophetic utterance.
• Jeremiah 50:4-5: This Old Testament prophecy speaks of Israel's return from exile, but the context of judgment often involved descriptions of suffering for the vulnerable: "In those days and in that time, declares the LORD, the iniquity of Israel will be sought, but there will be no iniquity, and the sins of Judah, but they will not be found, for I will forgive those whom I leave as a remnant. They will go to the land of the north—with the northern kingdom—and to Egypt, and drink the waters of the Nile. They will pass through the land of Assyria, and the Euphrates will be their highway. From the sea to the sea, and from mountain to mountain, shall be their dominion. But the prophet Jeremiah also spoke of judgment that would bring great suffering (e.g., Jeremiah 15:5-9).
• Revelation 18:7-8: This passage in Revelation describes the judgment of Babylon, the symbolic representation of worldly systems opposed to God, and mentions the suddenness of its destruction and the lamentation over it, echoing the theme of pervasive distress.