Revelation 12:2

Translations

Modern

She was pregnant and crying out in the pain and agony of giving birth.

Traditional

And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Literal

…and having in womb. And she cries out, being in labor, and being in pain to bring forth.

Latin

…et in utero habens, clamabat parturiens, et cruciabatur ut pariat.

Original

Greek

English

She was pregnant and crying out in the pain and agony of giving birth.

Notes

Revelation 12:2

The symbolic woman experiencing the pain of labor represents Christ’s birth. This reflects the biblical theme of Israel’s struggle while waiting for deliverance (see Isaiah 26:16–18; Jeremiah 4:31; Micah 4:9–10; John 16:21).

Revelation 12:1–17

Satan is shown as a dragon. He plots to oppose God's plans but fails. After losing a direct battle with God and Christ, he tries to harm God's followers. Three short scenes summarize the story (Revelation 12:1–6), followed by details of the war in heaven (12:7–9) and the war on earth (12:13–17).

Revelation 12:1–14:20

The people of God are pictured as a woman who gives birth to the Messiah. Even though the devil has already been defeated, he continues to attack her and her children (Revelation 12:1–17). With his two followers, the beast and the false prophet, Satan tries to keep controlling the world (Revelation 13:1–18) before the final battle with the Lord (14:1–20).

Theme notes and profiles

Adam and Eve Visions

Related verses

John 16:21
A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.
Galatians 4:19
My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
Isaiah 66:7–9
“Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before she was in pain, she delivered a boy.
Revelation 12:4
His tail swept a third of the stars from the sky, hurling them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, ready to devour her child as soon as she gave birth.
Isaiah 53:11
After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities.
Micah 5:3
Therefore Israel will be abandoned until she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers will return to the children of Israel.
Galatians 4:27
For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”
Isaiah 54:1
“Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Revelation Lucifer

Topics

Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena: Symbolical used in the Revelation of John

Revelation 12:2

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Glossary

Topics