GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 13:17
Woe
There have been reports of terrible disasters recently. On June 24, 2026, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck near Yumare, Venezuela. Most people had never heard of or thought about the city until pictures of the terrible destruction appeared, creating an immediate connection with the people who woke up that Wednesday morning expecting another normal day, only to have their world literally shaken to pieces.
On March 16, 2026, a violent tornado caused widespread damage in Calera, Alabama, and the surrounding area. Like most people, I had never heard of or visited the city of Calera, but when pictures of the destruction appeared, I felt an immediate connection with those who faced such destruction that Monday.
As Jesus spoke prophetically about the coming tragedy that would befall Jerusalem and the surrounding area, he said “But woe to those who are pregnant and those nursing in those days!” (Mark 13:17) The word “woe” (οὐαὶ, ouai) in this instance is an expression of sorrow, grief, or lament, not of condemnation. As Jesus thought about the destruction, he was moved by the concept of pregnant women and nursing mothers who would be at their most vulnerable time.
Readers can feel the compassion of Jesus for the pregnant women and nursing mothers of Jerusalem as they contemplate the terrible destruction to come, especially when they think about places like Yumare, Venezuela, or Calera, Alabama.
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