John 16:21

woman when she is in travail hath sorrow,... for joy that. man is born.

The figure of. woman in travail is one of frequent occurrence in the Old Testament to illustrate sudden sorrow and great anguish (Isaiah 21:3; Hosea 13:13; Micah 4:9). The Lord gives the figure. new application by showing that joy is born out of the pangs of travail. Thus the bitter anguish that his disciples will experience on account of the crucifixion and burial of their Lord will be followed by the greatest joy when they behold him risen and triumphant. While this is the apparent, many interpreters, notably Olshausen, hold that it has. deeper meaning. According to this view there is. reference to that which caused the sorrow of the disciples, the sufferings of Christ,. painful act of travail on the part of humanity as represented in the second Adam, as the result of which the new man in Christ Jesus is born into the world,. source of eternal joy to all, even to the angels who rejoice more over one sinner that repenteth than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. "Thus the death of Christ becomes. fact in the history of the world, which everything before it was intended to usher in, and from which the entire development of succeeding ages is matured. This state of perfect joy and complete satisfaction is indicated by the words, 'Ye shall ask me nothing."-- Olshausen. "The death of Christ is the agonizing travail of humanity, from which labor the God-Man issues, glorified, to the eternal joy of the whole body of mankind."-- Lange. "The words are applicable also to the travails of the church in bringing forth children to God. Yet we should not overlook the immediate reference.. touching and comforting proof of the Savior's tender sympathy with woman's deepest trial."-- Schaff.