The figure of a woman in labor is a traditional biblical metaphor used for the sufferings that will herald the joy of a new age.

According to Genesis, the pain of childbearing is Eve’s punishment for eating of the “forbidden fruit” and giving it to her husband. Since it is given as “intensification” of the toil and pain of childbearing, probably, the woman would still feel the natural toil of giving birth even if there was no sin of Eve (3:16).

It is sometimes suggested that Mary did not undergo this pain in giving birth to Jesus because she was preserved from the stain of original pain. But Jesus would probably not use this paroimia or comparison if this was not true of Mary.

A related text in Matthew refers not to a woman but directly to the “labor pains” (24:8). The book of Revelation pictures a great sign: a woman clothed with the sun and with the moon under her feet. She “was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth” (12:2). Some scholars read this text as an allusion to Mary, the new Eve, who was tested and was faithful; through her, Jesus the Messiah is born. Modern exegetes, however, say that this figure applies more to the Church militant on earth who must endure all tests and tribulations as she witnesses to her faith in Jesus through the end times.

Jesus uses this imagery to console his disciples who will surely grieve when he dies. But his passion and death will end in his glorification and give rise to a new order. The disciples’ grief will be forgotten as they rejoice in being part of this momentous event.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”