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1
The Pains of Birth
Commentators widely agree that the phrase “beginning of travail” uses the Greek word for “birth pangs.” This was a familiar Jewish concept describing the intense suffering expected to precede the Messianic Age. Jesus uses this metaphor to show that while global calamities are painful, they are not random death throes but purposeful signs that a new era is being born.
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Matthew
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Commentaries
10
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 24:8
18th Century
Theologian
The beginning of sorrows. Far heavier calamities are yet to come before the end.
AT Robertson
On Matthew 24:8
The beginning of travail (αρχη οδινων). The word means birth-pangs and the Jews used the very phrase for the sufferings of the Mes…
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 24:6–8
19th Century
Preacher
See that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom …
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 24:8
“Birth pains” (GK 6047) stems from such OT passages as Isa 13:8; 26:17; Jeremiah 4:31; 6:24; Micah 4:9–10. By this time it wa…
John Calvin
On Matthew 24:8
16th Century
Theologian
But all these things are the beginnings of sorrows. Not that believers, who always have abundant consolations in calamities, should consum…
John Gill
On Matthew 24:8
17th Century
Pastor
All these are the beginning of sorrows
They were only a prelude unto them, and forerunners of them; they were only s…
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 24:4–28
17th Century
Minister
The disciples had asked concerning the times, "When should these things be?" Christ gave them no answer to that; but they had also asked, "What sha…
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 24:1–14
13th Century
Philosopher
Here, the multiple provocations of the Jews were recounted; now, the preparation for Christ’s departure through the instruction of His disciples is…