Yochanan 16:21

21 The isha (woman) when she gives birth, has agmat nefesh (grief), [YESHAYAH 13:8; 21:3; 26:17; MICHOH 4:9; HOSHEA 13:13] because the sha’ah (hour, time) of her has come. But when she gives birth to the yeled, she no longer has zikaron of the Tribulation because of the naches that an ish was born into the Olam Hazeh.

Yochanan 16:21 Meaning and Commentary

John 16:21

A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow
As was said she should have, ( Genesis 3:16 ) ; This is God's ordination and appointment for sin:

because her hour is come;
is at hand; the fixed time in nature is up, and there is no avoiding it:

but as soon as she is delivered of the child;
for though the sorrow is great, yet there is a deliverance, and she is saved in child bearing: when

she remembereth no more the anguish;
the sharp pains she has endured in her travail;

for joy that a man is born into the world.
Much such a way of speaking is used by the Jews ^F26, who observe,

``if a woman brings forth a male child, all is forgot, and she repents (i.e. of her impatience, or any unbecoming expression in the time of labour), (rkzh txmvb) , "for the joy of a man child".''

And our Lord seems to have respect to a prevailing notion among them, as well as many others, of the felicity of male children: it is a common saying with them ^F1,

``blessed is he whose children are males, and woe to him whose children are females:''

for they say ^F2,

``when (Mlweb rkz abv) , "that a man child comes into the world", peace comes into the world.''

Now our Lord, by this instance, illustrates the sorrow his disciples should have by his departure, and the joy that they should be possessed of upon his return to them; that as the pains of a woman in travail are very sharp and severe, and the distress of her mind, about the issue of things respecting herself and offspring, is very great, so would be the grief and trouble of the disciples on account of the death of their Lord and master: but as when a woman is safely delivered of a man child, she is so filled with joy, that her sorrow is remembered no more so should it be with them, when Christ should appear to them; all their trouble, concern, anxiety of mind, and fears, that attended them, would all vanish away, and they be distressed with them no more.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Tzeror Hammor, fol. 98. 2.
F1 T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 65. 1. Kiddushin, fol. 82. 2. Bava Bathra, fol. 16. 2. Sanhedrin, fol. 100. 2.
F2 T. Bab. Nidda, fol. 31. 2.

Yochanan 16:21 In-Context

19 Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach knew that they were wanting to ask him. And he said to them, About this you inquire of one another that I said, A little time and you do not see me. And, again, a little time and you will see me?

20 Omein, omein, I say to you, that there will be bechi (weeping) and avelut (mourning), but the Olam Hazeh will have simcha. You will have agmat nefesh, but your agmat nefesh (grief) will become simcha [TEHILLIM 30:6 (5)]

21 The isha (woman) when she gives birth, has agmat nefesh (grief), [YESHAYAH 13:8; 21:3; 26:17; MICHOH 4:9; HOSHEA 13:13] because the sha’ah (hour, time) of her has come. But when she gives birth to the yeled, she no longer has zikaron of the Tribulation because of the naches that an ish was born into the Olam Hazeh.

22 Therefore, you have agmat nefesh (grief) now, [YIRMEYAH 31:12] but again I will see you, and your levavot will have rejoicing [YESHAYAH 66:14 TARGUM HASHIVIM] and the simcha of you no one takes from you.

23 And on that day you will not ask me anything. Omein, omein, I say to you, whatever you ask HaAv b’Shem of me, He will give it to you.