King James Version

What Does Luke 23:29 Mean?

Luke 23:29 in the King James Version says “For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, an...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.”

Luke 23:29 · KJV

Context

27

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

28

But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

29

For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

30

Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

31

For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

Read Luke 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. This verse pronounces a shocking reversal of cultural values. In Jewish culture, barrenness was considered a curse and childbearing a blessing (Genesis 1:28, Psalm 127:3-5). The phrase "the days are coming" (erchontai hēmerai, ἔρχονται ἡμέραι) prophetically announces future judgment, echoing prophetic formulas throughout Scripture (Jeremiah 7:32, 9:25, Amos 4:2).

The triple description—"barren" (hai steirai, αἱ στεῖραι, sterile), "wombs that never bare" (koiliai hai ouk egennēsan, κοιλίαι αἳ οὐκ ἐγέννησαν), and "paps which never gave suck" (mastoi hoi ouk ethrepsan, μαστοὶ οἳ οὐκ ἔθρεψαν)—emphasizes completeness. Women who never conceived, carried, or nursed children would be called makariai (μακάριαι, "blessed")—the same word used in the Beatitudes (Luke 6:20-22). This indicates suffering so severe that childlessness would be preferable to watching children suffer.

This prophecy finds fulfillment in the AD 70 siege of Jerusalem. Josephus records mothers eating their own children during the famine, making barrenness appear blessed by comparison. Jesus' words echo Hosea 9:14—"Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts." When judgment falls on a society that rejected God's Messiah, even natural blessings become sources of unbearable grief.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Jewish culture viewed motherhood as sacred duty and divine blessing. The worst curse imaginable was to see one's children suffer or die. During the siege of Jerusalem (AD 70), Josephus describes horrific scenes where starving mothers devoured their own infants (Jewish War 6.3.4). The Roman historian Tacitus corroborates these accounts, recording that 600,000 bodies were carried out of the city gates during the siege.

Archaeological excavations in Jerusalem have uncovered evidence of the catastrophe—destruction layers from AD 70, including arrowheads, burned buildings, and skeletal remains showing signs of trauma and malnutrition. The temple was burned, its treasures looted (depicted on the Arch of Titus in Rome), and Jewish survivors were sold into slavery throughout the empire. Jesus' prophecy proved devastatingly accurate—in that judgment, childlessness was indeed preferable to motherhood.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this radical value reversal teach about the severity of divine judgment upon those who reject Christ?
  2. How should the historical fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy shape our urgency in proclaiming the gospel before judgment comes?
  3. In what ways does this passage challenge cultural assumptions about what constitutes blessing apart from relationship with God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
ὅτι1 of 20

“For”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἰδού,2 of 20

“behold”

G2400

used as imperative lo!

ἔρχονται3 of 20

“are coming”

G2064

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

ἡμέραι4 of 20

“the days”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἐν5 of 20

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

οἳ6 of 20

“that”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐροῦσιν7 of 20

“they shall say”

G2046

an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say

Μακάριαι8 of 20

“Blessed”

G3107

supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off

αἱ9 of 20
G3588

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

στεῖραι10 of 20

“are the barren”

G4723

"sterile"

καὶ11 of 20

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

κοιλίαι12 of 20

“the wombs”

G2836

a cavity, i.e., (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart

οἳ13 of 20

“that”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐκ14 of 20

“never”

G3756

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

ἐγέννησαν15 of 20

“bare”

G1080

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

καὶ16 of 20

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μαστοὶ17 of 20

“the paps”

G3149

a (properly, female) breast (as if kneaded up)

οἳ18 of 20

“that”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐκ19 of 20

“never”

G3756

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

ἔθήλασαν20 of 20

“gave suck”

G2337

to suckle, (by implication) to suck

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Luke 23:29 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 Luke 23:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 24:19Luke 21:23-24Mark 13:17-19Hosea 13:16Hosea 9:12-16Deuteronomy 28:53-57

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