Matthew 24:19

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

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 28:53–56 Historical context

Deuteronomy 28:53-56 prophesies siege horrors where pregnant/nursing women suffer cannibalism — the same curse Jesus says will be especially hard for them.

2 Kings 15:16 Historical context

2 Kings 15:16 records pregnant women being ripped open in war — the same violence Jesus warns will make those days dreadful for pregnant women.

Lamentations 4:4 Related theme

Lamentations 4:4 describes infants dying of thirst — a specific agony that pregnant and nursing mothers would face, reinforcing Jesus' woe.

Lamentations 4:10 Related theme

Lamentations 4:10 depicts women boiling their own children in siege — the ultimate horror for mothers, exactly what Jesus' woe anticipates.

Hosea 13:16 Related theme

Hosea 13:16 pronounces judgment with pregnant women ripped open and children dashed — the same calamity Jesus says will be especially hard for them.

Mark 13:17 Parallel

Mark 13:17 contains the identical warning about pregnancy and nursing during tribulation, a direct parallel in the synoptic tradition.

Luke 21:23 Parallel

Luke 21:23 parallels the woe and adds 'great distress upon the land' — a more detailed version of the same warning.

Luke 23:29 Contrast

Luke 23:29 reverses the woe: during the same coming tribulation, childlessness will be considered blessed, contrasting with the woe on nursing mothers.

Jeremiah 16:2 Related theme

Jeremiah 16:2 commands celibacy due to coming judgment — echoing the burden of having children during tribulation as in Matthew 24:19.

Ecclesiastes 4:3 Related theme

Ecclesiastes 4:3 states the unborn are better off than those who see evil — a similar sentiment to the woe on pregnancy during tribulation.