John 16:21

19 Aware that they wanted to question Him, Jesus said to them, “Are you asking one another why I said, ‘In a little while you will not see Me, and then after a little while you will see Me’?

20 Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

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.

22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

23 In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
KJV
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.
WEB
A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.
ASV
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world.
DARBY
A woman, when she gives birth to a child, has grief because her hour has come; but when the child is born, she no longer remembers the trouble, on account of the joy that a man has been born into the world.
BLB
The woman has pain when she is giving birth, because her hour has come; but when she brings forth the child, she remembers the tribulation no longer, because of the joy that a man has been born into the world.
ÅB
Når kvinnen føder, har hun sorg, fordi hennes tid er kommet; men når hun har født sitt barn, kommer hun ikke lenger sin trengsel i hu, av glede over at et menneske er født til verden.
OTB
En kvinne som skal føde, har smerte fordi hennes tid er kommet; men når barnet er født, glemmer hun smerten på grunn av gleden over at et menneske er født til verden.
B1930
Når kvinnen føder, har hun sorg, fordi hennes tid er kommet; men når hun har født sitt barn, kommer hun ikke lenger sin trengsel i hu, av glede over at et menneske er født til verden.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 13:8

    Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 113:9

    He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!

    Read in context
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:3

    While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 30:6–7

    Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale?

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 26:16–18

    O LORD, they sought You in their distress; when You disciplined them, they poured out a quiet prayer.

    Read in context
  • Hosea 13:13–14

    Labor pains come upon him, but he is an unwise son. When the time arrives, he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 12:2–5

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

    Read in context
  • Micah 4:10

    Writhe in agony, O Daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor. For now you will leave the city and camp in the open fields. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued; there the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies!

    Read in context