Matthew 24:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The first group, burdened by the demands of carrying a child, will find it difficult to move freely due to their frailty. The second group, tied by their deep compassion for their children, will struggle to rescue those who rely on their nourishment. Material possessions such as money and clothing can be easily disregarded or preserved, yet how can one evade that which is inherent to human nature? How can a mother expectancy feel unencumbered? How can a breastfeeding mother turn away from her child?

Expectant mothers, encumbered by the weight of their pregnancies, will be unable to escape, and those nursing will not have the heart to abandon their children, nor can they take them along to be spared; they will all face ruin. Alternatively, Christ may be referencing the tragic act of cannibalism among His own people. Historical accounts by Josephus Flavius describe how, during the siege of Jerusalem, a mother, driven by a dire famine, resorted to roasting and consuming her own child.

Alas for those individuals who have not matured in their spiritual journey to the stature of a complete believer but remain at the elementary stages of faith, necessitating guidance from instructors. It can likewise be stated that during the trials brought on by the Antichrist or the oppression of Rome, those who are expected to give birth and nurture could not escape swiftly due to the burdens they faced from the impending birth or from those already born.

The former are hindered in their movements due to the weight they carry within, while the latter are burdened by external demands. The former is encumbered by the weight of the unborn, while the latter bears the load of nurturing their infant. It may not be challenging to forsake material wealth and attire for the sake of spiritual salvation, but it is utterly impossible for a pregnant woman to run with ease or for a nursing mother to forsake her child due to the innate bond that exists. Thus, sorrow befalls those who are easily led astray; lamentation also surrounds their offspring, who are destined to face destruction alongside them. In a metaphorical sense, the term "pregnant" refers to souls that have yet to bring forth fruits of virtue, while "breast-feeders" denotes those who have indeed given birth, albeit their fruits are diminutive and lack significance.

It should not be assumed that the Lord was merely addressing the difficulties faced by expectant mothers when He proclaimed, "But woe to them that are pregnant, and to them that feed with sucklings in those days!" Rather, He was illustrating the burdens carried by souls ensnared in sin; these burdens hinder their escape from the impending wrath prepared for them, regardless of whether they are on the rooftop or in the fields. The nature of suffering inherently accompanies the experience of pregnancy, and no one enters this world without the entire body experiencing turmoil. Similarly, souls in such a predicament will endure both labor and anguish. Concerning those who are nourishing infants during challenging times, a child dependent on milk is no different from a helpless infant.

This message is directed to those who carry the flame of divine love in their hearts yet hesitate to openly express their faith in God and to steadfastly uphold it. They possess a simplistic and immature understanding of God's patience and lack a strong belief in the promised rewards. Instead, they allow themselves to be swayed by threats or adversities, thus jeopardizing their future. Woe to those who are complacent and passive in these times.

The sacred scripture declares: But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse infants in those days. This implies: Woe to those who bring forth suffering and bear the burden of sin, disregarding their faith. Just as a woman expecting a child experiences no peace during her flight, facing only agony and turmoil, so too will sinners and false believers encounter nothing but despair when the day of judgment arrives. The Holy Gospel further states: Pray that your escape may not occur in winter or on the Sabbath, for then there will be great tribulation such as has not been since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall be. The winter and the Sabbath symbolize the two nations, the Gentiles and the Jews.

St. Chrysostom remarks that for the former, their condition of pregnancy presents a significant obstacle to escape due to their weakness, while for the latter, the strong ties of compassion towards their children prevent them from seeking salvation for themselves, as they are unable to abandon those they nurture. While material possessions like money and clothing can be easily discarded or retained, the bond of nature poses a different challenge. It raises the question: how can an expectant mother feel unburdened? And how can a woman who nurses choose to leave her child behind?

After outlining a series of alarming events, the Lord emphasized the imminent reality of God’s severe judgment regarding Jerusalem. He stated, concerning Jerusalem, that its destruction is inevitable, for, in accordance with the words of Daniel, the abomination of desolation will manifest in the sacred space. At that time, anyone seeking to escape impending doom should flee quickly from Judea. Those who choose to stay will face a distress unlike anything the world has witnessed from its beginning. False messiahs will arise, but do not be swayed by them. The Son of Man will come like lightning, not confined to any specific location or appearance, but as the manifestation of God's judgment (Matthew 24:15-28). He will reveal His full glory at the culmination of the age (29-31).

Alas for those who are with child and nursing infants, for they will find it impossible to escape the immense distress that will come upon this nation.

"Alas for those who are with child, for the former are hindered by their condition, making it difficult to flee due to their weakness, while the latter are tied by their compassion for their little ones and cannot safeguard those who are sustained by their care."