Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
A woman (h gunh). "The woman," any woman.
When she is in travail (otan tikth). Indefinite temporal clause, "whenever she is about to bear (or give birth)," otan and present active subjunctive of tiktw, common O.T. image for pain.
Her hour is come (hlqen h wra authv). Second aorist active indicative, timeless aorist, "her hour" for giving birth which she knows is like a living death.
But when she is delivered of the child (otan de gennhsh to paidion). Indefinite temporal clause with otan and first aorist active subjunctive of gennaw. "But whenever she bears the child."
The anguish (thv qliyewv). Genitive case after mnhmoneuei of qliyiv, usual word for tribulation (Matthew 13:21).
Is born (egennhqh). First aorist (effective) passive indicative of gennaw.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing John 16:21:
John 15:20
Revelation 12:1
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