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.
When a woman is in labor, she's going through intense pain because her time has come. But the moment her baby is born, she doesn't even remember the agony anymore, she's completely overwhelmed with joy that this new person just entered the world.
The pain is temporary, but the joy of new life makes you forget you ever hurt at all.
📚 Historical Context
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is speaking to his disciples during his farewell discourse on the night before his crucifixion, preparing them for the sorrow of his impending death and the joy that would follow his resurrection. He draws from the common ancient experience of childbirth, where women endured intense pain but found great joy upon the birth of a child, to illustrate the temporary nature of suffering. This metaphor reflects the cultural reality of the time, where childbirth was a profound life event symbolizing both agony and ultimate fulfillment.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.