King James Version

What Does John 16:21 Mean?

John 16:21 in the King James Version says “A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she ... — study this verse from John chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

John 16:21 · KJV


Context

19

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

20

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

21

A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

23

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus employs childbirth as metaphor for the crucifixion-resurrection pattern: A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come (ἡ γυνὴ ὅταν τίκτῃ λύπην ἔχει, ὅτι ἦλθεν ἡ ὥρα αὐτῆς/hē gynē hotan tiktē lypēn echei, hoti ēlthen hē hōra autēs). The present tense τίκτω (tiktō, "to give birth") describes active labor; λύπη (lypē) is pain, anguish, distress. The phrase ἡ ὥρα (hē hōra, "the hour") connects to Jesus's own "hour"—His appointed time of suffering (John 12:23, 27; 13:1; 17:1).

But as soon as she is delivered of the child (ὅταν δὲ γεννήσῃ τὸ παιδίον/hotan de gennēsē to paidion)—the subjunctive mood indicates certainty of outcome. Pain will definitely yield to birth.

She remembereth no more the anguish (οὐκέτι μνημονεύει τῆς θλίψεως/ouketi mnēmoneuei tēs thlipseōs)—not that she forgets, but the memory loses its power to cause grief. Θλῖψις (thlipsis) means pressure, tribulation, affliction—but joy eclipses pain.

For joy that a man is born into the world (διὰ τὴν χαρὰν ὅτι ἐγεννήθη ἄνθρωπος εἰς τὸν κόσμον/dia tēn charan hoti egennēthē anthrōpos eis ton kosmon)—new life justifies the suffering. The metaphor illuminates resurrection: Christ's death-pangs birth new creation, eternal life for believers (2 Corinthians 5:17).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Childbirth was perilous in the ancient world, with high maternal mortality rates. Every woman in labor faced real danger—yet the joy of new life overshadowed the trauma. Jesus's original audience (particularly women) understood this viscerally. Old Testament prophets used birth pangs to describe Israel's tribulations (Isaiah 26:17-19, Micah 4:9-10). Jesus applies it personally: His suffering births spiritual offspring (Isaiah 53:10-11). The early church experienced this pattern repeatedly—persecution's pain yielding evangelistic harvest, martyrs' blood birthing church growth. Paul used labor imagery for his apostolic ministry and the creation's groaning (Galatians 4:19, Romans 8:22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the childbirth metaphor help you understand that suffering can be productive, purposeful, and ultimately joyful rather than meaningless?
  2. What 'new birth' resulted from Christ's crucifixion-suffering, and how does this transform how you view the cross?
  3. When have you experienced a 'labor pains to new life' pattern where God used suffering to birth something beautiful?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
1 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γυνὴ2 of 30

A woman

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

ὅταν3 of 30

as soon as

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

τίκτῃ4 of 30

she is in travail

G5088

to produce (from seed, as a mother, a plant, the earth, etc.), literally or figuratively

λύπην5 of 30

sorrow

G3077

sadness

ἔχει6 of 30

hath

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ὅτι7 of 30

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἦλθεν8 of 30

is come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

9 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὥρα10 of 30

hour

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

αὐτῆς·11 of 30

her

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅταν12 of 30

as soon as

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

δὲ13 of 30

but

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐγεννήθη14 of 30

is born

G1080

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate

τὸ15 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παιδίον16 of 30

of the child

G3813

a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian

οὐκ17 of 30
G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔτι18 of 30

more

G2089

"yet," still (of time or degree)

μνημονεύει19 of 30

she remembereth

G3421

to exercise memory, i.e., recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse

τῆς20 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θλίψεως21 of 30

the anguish

G2347

pressure (literally or figuratively)

διὰ22 of 30

for

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὴν23 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χαρὰν24 of 30

joy

G5479

cheerfulness, i.e., calm delight

ὅτι25 of 30

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐγεννήθη26 of 30

is born

G1080

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate

ἄνθρωπος27 of 30

a man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

εἰς28 of 30

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸν29 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμον30 of 30

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 16:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 16:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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