The Woes Of Revelation

The English word "woe" originated from an old Anglo-Saxon word which was based on the sound made by a grieving person; hence the word came to mean mourning or suffering. Some English translations use "woe" to translate the New Testament Greek word, pronounced oo-ah-ee, which also originated from a wail made by a sorrowing person; hence it too came to mean mourning or suffering.

Jesus Christ warned the Pharisees, the corrupt "lawyers" who violated the Law (see Violence) that they were supposed to be upholding, as a warning to all hypocrites, of the woes that they are bringing upon themselves.

"^11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. ^11:40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?" (Luke 11:39-40 KJV)

"Woe unto you also, ye lawyers!"

The Messiah then continued with the "woes" that they were going to experience - and why.

^11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of Herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

^11:43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

^11:44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

^11:45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

^11:46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

^11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. ^11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. ^11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: ^11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; ^11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

^11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered." (Luke 11:42-52 KJV)

Fact Finder: In the time just before Christ's return, what will be the "three woes" upon all of those who refuse to repent?
See the study notes for Revelation chapter 9 at Revelation 9-11

Daily Bible Study Library Thousands of Studies! Jesus Christ Bible History Prophecy Christian Living Encouragement

Eternal Life By The Book Bible Places Curiosities The Spirit World