Mark13
King James Version · Public Domain
1And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
2And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
4Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
5And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
6For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
7And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
8For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
9But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
10And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
11But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
12Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
13And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
15And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
16And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
17But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
18And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
19For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
20And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
21And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
22For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
23But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
24But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
28Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
29So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
30Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
31Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
32But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
34For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Mark 13.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The destruction of the temple foretold. (1–4). Christ's prophetic declaration. (5–13). Christ's prophecy. (14–23). His prophetic declarations. (24–27). Watchfulness urged. (28–37).
vv1-4
See how little Christ values outward pomp, where there is not real purity of heart. He looks with pity upon the ruin of precious souls, and weeps over them, but we do not find him look with pity upon the ruin of a fine house. Let us then be reminded how needful it is for us to have a more lasting abode in heaven, and to be prepared for it by the influences of the Holy Spirit, sought in the earnest use of all the means of grace.
vv5-13
Our Lord Jesus, in reply to the disciples' question, does not so much satisfy their curiosity as direct their consciences. When many are deceived, we should thereby be awakened to look to ourselves. And the disciples of Christ, if it be not their own fault, may enjoy holy security and peace of mind, when all around is in disorder. But they must take heed that they are not drawn away from Christ and their duty to him, by the sufferings they will meet with for his sake. They shall be hated of all men: trouble enough! Yet the work they were called to should be carried on and prosper. Though they may be crushed and borne down, the gospel cannot be. The salvation promised is more than deliverance from evil, it is everlasting blessedness.
vv14-23
The Jews in rebelling against the Romans, and in persecuting the Christians, hastened their own ruin apace. Here we have a prediction of that ruin which came upon them within less than forty years after this. Such destruction and desolation, that the like cannot be found in any history. Promises of power to persevere, and cautions against falling away, well agree with each other. But the more we consider these things, the more we shall see abundant cause to flee without delay for refuge to Christ, and to renounce every earthly object, for the salvation of our souls.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκπορεύομαι (ekporeúomai): to depart, be discharged, proceed, project
ἐκ (ek): literal or figurative; direct or remote)
ἱερόν (hierón): a sacred place, i.e. the entire precincts (whereas G3485 (ναός) denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the Temple (at Jerusalem or elsewhere)
εἷς (heîs): one
μαθητής (mathētḗs): a learner, i.e. pupil
λέγω (légō): properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 (ἔπω) and G5346 (φημί) generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 (ῥέω) is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 (λαλέω) means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
ἴδε (íde): used as an interjection to denote surprise; lo!
διδάσκαλος (didáskalos): an instructor (genitive case or specially)
Cross References
Mark 13Direct reference to the "abomination of desolation" spoken of by Daniel the prophet.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Old Testament source for the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Luke's parallel account of the disciples admiring the temple stones and Jesus' response.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Matthew's parallel detailing Christ leaving the temple as disciples point out its buildings.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Matthew's parallel account of the abomination of desolation and instruction to flee to mountains.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Luke's clear historical interpretation of the desolation as Jerusalem being compassed with armies.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Matthew's parallel description of cosmic disturbances and the Son of man's return.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Matthew's exact parallel regarding "this generation" not passing away before fulfillment.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Jesus weeps over Jerusalem and foretells not leaving one stone upon another.
Supported by JFB
Prophecy of Zion being plowed as a field and temple mountain as high places.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Matthew's parallel warning against deceivers who will come in Christ's name.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel instruction warning disciples of delivery to councils and beatings in synagogues.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophetic antecedent describing extreme betrayal among closest family members in times of trouble.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Luke's parallel on signs in the sun, moon, stars, and waves before Christ's return.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Matthew's parallel regarding no man knowing the day or hour, only the Father.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The parable of the talents, illustrating the Master giving authority and work to servants.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel instruction not to premeditate defense when brought before rulers, trusting the Holy Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Old Testament basis for the prediction of unprecedented tribulation and distress.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic imagery of the darkening of stars, sun, and moon during divine judgment.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Exhortation to watch and be ready, since the Son of man comes unexpectedly.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole