What are the birth pains Jesus mentions in Matthew 24?
Question 10077
When Jesus described the signs preceding His return, He used a vivid image: birth pains. This isn’t random imagery—it perfectly captures the nature of the tribulation’s onset. Just as birth pains increase in frequency and intensity before delivery, so the signs of the end times intensify before Christ’s return.
The Context of the Olivet Discourse
Jesus spoke these words on the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem’s temple. His disciples had just marvelled at the temple’s magnificence: “And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!'” (Mark 13:1).
Jesus shocked them: “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (Mark 13:2). This prompted their question: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3).
Notice they asked about two things: the temple’s destruction and Christ’s return. Jesus’ answer addresses both, though primarily the second. The temple was destroyed in AD 70—but that wasn’t the end. Greater events lie ahead.
The Birth Pains Described
Jesus listed specific signs: “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains” (Matthew 24:5-8).
The Greek word for “birth pains” is odin (ὠδίν), referring to labour contractions. This imagery appears throughout Scripture regarding the Day of the Lord. Isaiah prophesied: “Pangs and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labour” (Isaiah 13:8). Jeremiah used the same image: “Ask now, and see, can a man bear a child? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labour? Why has every face turned pale?” (Jeremiah 30:6).
Paul also employed this imagery: “While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). The birth pain analogy appears consistently because it perfectly illustrates the tribulation’s nature.
The Characteristics of Birth Pains
What makes birth pains an apt illustration? First, they’re unavoidable. Once labour begins, there’s no stopping it. The baby will be born. Similarly, once the tribulation begins, it runs its course until Christ returns. There’s no cancelling it, no postponing it.
Second, they increase in frequency. Early labour contractions might occur every thirty minutes, then every twenty, then every ten, then every five. The gaps shorten as delivery approaches. Similarly, the signs Jesus mentioned—false messiahs, wars, famines, earthquakes—increase in frequency as the tribulation progresses.
Third, they increase in intensity. Early contractions are uncomfortable; later ones are excruciating. The tribulation follows the same pattern. The seal judgements are terrible, the trumpet judgements worse, the bowl judgements worst of all. Each wave of judgement intensifies.
Fourth, they culminate in birth. The pain has a purpose—bringing new life. The tribulation, despite its horror, leads to something glorious: Christ’s return, Satan’s defeat, and the kingdom’s establishment. The suffering isn’t pointless; it’s preparation for the Messianic age.
False Messiahs
Jesus mentioned false messiahs first: “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray” (Matthew 24:5). Throughout history, false messiahs have appeared. Simon Bar Kokhba led a Jewish revolt in AD 132-135, claiming to be the Messiah. In recent centuries, figures like Hong Xiuquan, Sun Myung Moon, and Jim Jones made messianic claims.
But the tribulation brings an explosion of religious deception, culminating in the ultimate false messiah—the Antichrist. Paul warned: “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10).
The Antichrist performs genuine miracles, empowered by Satan. His deception is so effective that “if possible, even the elect” would be deceived (Matthew 24:24). Only divine protection preserves true believers from falling for his lies.
Wars and Rumours of Wars
Jesus continued: “And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6-7).
Wars have plagued humanity since Cain killed Abel. The twentieth century alone witnessed two world wars, countless regional conflicts, and the nuclear arms race. Yet Jesus says these don’t signal the end: “the end is not yet.” They’re birth pains—signs the process has begun, but delivery is still ahead.
The tribulation brings unprecedented warfare. Revelation’s second seal releases war: “And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword” (Revelation 6:4). Peace disappears globally. Violence erupts everywhere.
The sixth trumpet alone kills a third of humanity: “By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulphur coming out of their mouths” (Revelation 9:18). This is far beyond any historical conflict. It’s warfare on an apocalyptic scale.
Famines
Jesus warned of famines (Matthew 24:7). Again, famines have occurred throughout history. The Irish potato famine killed a million people. The Chinese famine of 1959-61 killed tens of millions. Yet these pale beside the tribulation’s famines.
The third seal brings famine: “When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come!’ And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!'” (Revelation 6:5-6).
A denarius represented a day’s wages. During this famine, a day’s work buys barely enough food for one person. Luxuries like oil and wine remain available for the wealthy, but basic sustenance becomes scarce for the poor. Economic collapse accompanies agricultural failure.
Earthquakes
Jesus also mentioned earthquakes “in various places” (Matthew 24:7). Again, earthquakes occur regularly. The US Geological Survey records thousands annually. Major earthquakes have devastated cities throughout history.
But the tribulation brings earthquakes of unprecedented magnitude. The sixth seal produces a massive earthquake: “When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood” (Revelation 6:12). This isn’t localised—it’s global, accompanied by cosmic disturbances.
Later, an even greater earthquake strikes: “And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell” (Revelation 16:18-19). This earthquake literally reshapes geography.
The Progression of Judgements
The birth pain imagery helps us understand Revelation’s structure. The seal judgements represent early labour—uncomfortable, concerning, but not yet the worst. A quarter of earth’s population dies (Revelation 6:8)—terrible, but worse is coming.
The trumpet judgements intensify. A third of vegetation burns (Revelation 8:7), a third of sea creatures die (Revelation 8:9), a third of fresh water becomes poisonous (Revelation 8:10-11), a third of humanity dies (Revelation 9:18). The pain increases.
The bowl judgements represent final labour—the most intense suffering immediately before delivery. Painful sores afflict mark-bearers (Revelation 16:2), the sea becomes blood (Revelation 16:3), rivers become blood (Revelation 16:4), scorching heat burns people (Revelation 16:8-9), darkness covers the beast’s kingdom (Revelation 16:10), and the final earthquake reshapes earth (Revelation 16:18-21).
Each series intensifies. Like contractions growing stronger and closer together, the judgements increase until Christ returns—the birth of the Messianic kingdom.
Why Birth Pains Matter
Understanding the birth pain imagery provides several insights. First, it explains why Jesus said “the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6). Early signs don’t mean immediate fulfilment. Just as early labour doesn’t mean instant delivery, early signs don’t mean Christ’s immediate return. The process has begun, but completion lies ahead.
Second, it warns against date-setting. Nobody can predict when contractions will begin or how long labour will last. Similarly, we can’t calculate the rapture’s exact timing. Jesus said: “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36).
Third, it encourages watchfulness. A pregnant woman in her ninth month watches for labour’s onset. She recognises the signs. Similarly, we should watch for the season of Christ’s return. We won’t know the exact moment, but we can recognise the general timeframe.
Fourth, it provides hope. Birth pains hurt, but they produce joy. Jesus said: “When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world” (John 16:21). The tribulation’s suffering leads to kingdom glory.
The Creation’s Groaning
Paul extended the birth pain imagery to creation itself: “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now” (Romans 8:19-22).
Creation itself experiences birth pains—earthquakes, famines, natural disasters—groaning for redemption. The tribulation represents labour’s final stages. At Christ’s return, creation is reborn: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Revelation 21:1).
Our Response Today
How should we respond to the birth pains teaching? First, with alertness. Jesus commanded: “Stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42). We should watch world events not with fearful obsession but with informed awareness.
Second, with readiness. The wise virgins in Jesus’ parable kept oil ready (Matthew 25:1-13). We should ensure our relationship with Christ is genuine, not superficial. Profession without reality won’t endure.
Third, with urgency in evangelism. If these are birth pains, delivery approaches. Time is short. People need Christ now. Tomorrow may be too late.
Fourth, with hope, not fear. For believers, these signs don’t threaten but encourage. Jesus said: “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). The birth pains herald our deliverance.
Conclusion
Jesus’ birth pain imagery perfectly captures the tribulation’s nature. Like labour contractions, the signs increase in frequency and intensity, building toward an inevitable conclusion. False messiahs, wars, famines, and earthquakes aren’t random disasters but purposeful preparation for Christ’s return and the kingdom’s birth.
For unbelievers, this should motivate urgent repentance. The birth pains have begun. The end approaches. Today is the day of salvation. For believers, it should encourage faithful service and watchful anticipation. Our redemption draws near. The pain has purpose. The King is coming. Are you ready?
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” Matthew 24:7-8