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 16:21KJV
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John 16:21 (KJV)

What does John 16:21 mean?

John 16:21 uses the image of a woman in childbirth to show how intense pain can quickly turn to joy once the child is born. Jesus is explaining that sorrow and suffering can be replaced by overwhelming happiness when something precious comes into the world.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples during His final conversation with them before His arrest. He is preparing them for the sorrow they will soon feel at His death, but He reassures them that this sorrow will turn to joy, just as a mother forgets her pain when her child is born. The verse uses a familiar human experience to help the disciples understand the transformation from grief to joy that is about to happen.

The Greek behind John 16:21

  • The word for "travail" is τίκτῃ (tiktē, from G5088), which means to be in the pains of childbirth. This word emphasizes the real, physical suffering involved, not just a general sadness.
  • The word for "anguish" is θλῖψις (thlipsis, from G2347), which often means pressure or distress. Here, it highlights the intensity of the pain before the joy arrives.
  • The word for "joy" is χαρά (chara, from G5479), which means deep gladness or delight. The contrast between θλῖψις (anguish) and χαρά (joy) is central to the meaning of the verse.
  • The word for "man" is ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos, from G444), which means a human being, not specifically a male. The focus is on the arrival of a new person, not the gender.

Why John 16:21 matters

  • John 16:21 helps clear up that Jesus is not promising a life without pain, but rather that pain can have a purpose and lead to something good.
  • The verse connects the disciples’ coming sorrow to a natural, relatable experience, making Jesus’ message more personal and understandable.
  • This image sets up the next verses, where Jesus explains that their grief at His death will turn to joy at His resurrection, deepening the meaning of both His words and their experience.

Where else these words appear

“sorrow” Greek G3077 · used in 14 verses

  • Luke 22:45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
  • Romans 9:2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
  • 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

“travail” Greek G5088 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  • Luke 1:57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
  • Hebrews 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

“remembereth” Greek G3421 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 16:9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
  • Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
  • 2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

“more” Greek G3765 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
  • John 11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
  • Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.