SEV Biblia, Chapter 24:8
Y todas estas cosas, principio de dolores.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 24:8
Verse 8. All these are the beginning of sorrows.] wdinwn, travailing pains. The whole land of Judea is represented under the notion of a woman in grievous travail; but our Lord intimates, that all that had already been mentioned were only the first pangs and throes, and nothing in comparison of that hard and death-bringing labour, which should afterwards take place. From the calamities of the nation in general, our Lord passes to those of the Christians; and, indeed, the sufferings of his followers were often occasioned by the judgments sent upon the land, as the poor Christians were charged with being the cause of these national calamities, and were cruelly persecuted on that account.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 8. All these are the beginning of sorrows , etc.] They were only a prelude unto them, and forerunners of them; they were only some foretastes of what would be, and were far from being the worst that should be endured. These were but light, in comparison of what befell the Jews, in their dreadful destruction. The word here used, signifies the sorrows and pains of a woman in travail. The Jews expect great sorrows and distresses in the times of the Messiah, and use a word to express them by, which answers to this, and call them, jymh ylbj , the sorrows of the Messiah; ylbj , they say f1371 , signifies the sorrows of a woman in travail; and the Syriac version uses the same word here. These they represent to be very great, and express much concern to be delivered from them. They f1372 ask, what shall a man do, to be delivered from the sorrows of the Messiah? He must employ himself in the law, and in liberality.
And again f1373 , he that observes the three meals on the sabbath day, shall be delivered from three punishments; from the sorrows of the Messiah, from the judgment of hell, and from Gog and Magog.
But alas there was no other way of escaping them, but by faith in the true Messiah, Jesus; and it was for their disbelief and rejection of him, that these came upon them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-28 - The disciples had asked concerning the times, When these things shoul be? Christ gave them no answer to that; but they had also asked, What shall be the sign? This question he answers fully. The prophecy firs respects events near at hand, the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the Jewish church and state, the calling of the Gentiles, and the setting up of Christ's kingdom in the world; but it also looks to the general judgment; and toward the close, points more particularly to the latter. What Christ here said to his disciples, tended more to promot caution than to satisfy their curiosity; more to prepare them for the events that should happen, than to give a distinct idea of the events This is that good understanding of the times which all should covet thence to infer what Israel ought to do. Our Saviour cautions his disciples to stand on their guard against false teachers. And he foretells wars and great commotions among nations. From the time tha the Jews rejected Christ, and he left their house desolate, the swor never departed from them. See what comes of refusing the gospel. Thos who will not hear the messengers of peace, shall be made to hear the messengers of war. But where the heart is fixed, trusting in God, it is kept in peace, and is not afraid. It is against the mind of Christ that his people should have troubled hearts, even in troublous times When we looked forward to the eternity of misery that is before the obstinate refusers of Christ and his gospel, we may truly say, The greatest earthly judgments are but the beginning of sorrows. It is comforting that some shall endure even to the end. Our Lord foretell the preaching of the gospel in all the world. The end of the worl shall not be till the gospel has done its work. Christ foretells the ruin coming upon the people of the Jews; and what he said here, woul be of use to his disciples, for their conduct and for their comfort. I God opens a door of escape, we ought to make our escape, otherwise we do not trust God, but tempt him. It becomes Christ's disciples, i times of public trouble, to be much in prayer: that is never out of season, but in a special manner seasonable when we are distressed of every side. Though we must take what God sends, yet we may pray agains sufferings; and it is very trying to a good man, to be taken by an work of necessity from the solemn service and worship of God on the sabbath day. But here is one word of comfort, that for the elect's sak these days shall be made shorter than their enemies designed, who woul have cut all off, if God, who used these foes to serve his own purpose had not set bounds to their wrath. Christ foretells the rapid spreadin of the gospel in the world. It is plainly seen as the lightning. Chris preached his gospel openly. The Romans were like an eagle, and the ensign of their armies was an eagle. When a people, by their sin, make themselves as loathsome carcasses, nothing can be expected but that God should send enemies to destroy them. It is very applicable to the da of judgment, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in that day, 2Th 2:1 Let us give diligence to make our calling and election sure; then ma we know that no enemy or deceiver shall ever prevail against us.
Greek Textus Receptus
παντα 3956 A-NPN δε 1161 CONJ ταυτα 5023 D-NPN αρχη 746 N-NSF ωδινων 5604 N-GPF
Robertson's NT Word Studies
24:8 {The beginning of travail} (arce odinwn). The word means birth-pangs and the Jews used the very phrase for the sufferings of the Messiah which were to come before the coming of the Messiah (Book of Jubilees, 23:18; Apoc. of Baruch 27-29). But the word occurs with no idea of birth as the pains of death (#Ps 18:5; Ac 2:24). These woes, says Jesus, are not a proof of the end, but of the beginning.
