Matthew 24:8

Matthew 24:8, in plain English

Jesus says all these terrible things are just the beginning of birth pains. Like labor before a baby is born, the world's suffering is leading toward something new and beautiful.

Why it's here

This is such a hopeful way to see the world's problems. The pain isn't pointless. Like labor, it's moving toward something glorious.

Who's speaking

Jesus gives a deeply hopeful framework for understanding the world's suffering.

Where it sits in the story

Next time the news makes you anxious, remember this: Jesus says it's labor pain. Something new is being born. The pain is real, but so is the promise.

The scholarly reading

Jesus characterizes these events as 'the beginning of birth pains' (archē ōdinōn). The metaphor of ōdin (labor pain) is rich in Jewish eschatology, referring to the 'birth pangs of the Messiah' (chevlei Mashiach) — suffering that precedes messianic deliverance.

Language and setting

The birth-pain metaphor implies that suffering is purposeful and progressive, leading to something new. The current age's troubles are labor pains for the new creation.

Voice

Jesus uses a well-known Jewish eschatological metaphor to frame the preceding signs within a purposeful narrative.

Significance

Jesus reframes the world's suffering as birth pangs — painful, yes, but pointing toward something wonderful. The pain has a purpose: new life is coming.

6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come.

7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

8All these are the beginning of birth pains.

9Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

10At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,

Read all of Matthew 24 — The disciples ask when the end will come. Jesus answers with wars, earthquakes, and a warning: stay awake, because no one knows the hour.