Mark13
New King James Version
1Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”
2And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
3Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,
4“Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”
5And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you.
6For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.
7But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.
8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
9“But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.
10And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.
11But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
12Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
13And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
14“So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
15Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house.
16And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.
17But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
18And pray that your flight may not be in winter.
19For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.
20And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
21“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it.
22For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
23But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
24“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
25the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
28“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
29So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors!
30Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
31Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
32“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.
34It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
35Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—
36lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
37And what I say to you, I say to 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