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Mark13

World English Bible · Public Domain

1As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!”

2Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down.”

3As 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? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?”

5Jesus, answering, began to tell them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.

6For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and will lead many astray.

7“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet.

8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains.

9“But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.

10The Good News must first be preached to all the nations.

11When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

12“Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

13You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.

14“But 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,

15and let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house.

16Let him who is in the field not return back to take his cloak.

17But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days!

18Pray that your flight won’t be in the winter.

19For in those days there will be oppression, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be.

20Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days.

21Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it.

22For false christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.

23But you watch. “Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.

24But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light,

25the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.

26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

27Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.

28“Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near;

29even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors.

30Most certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen.

31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

32“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

33Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.

34“It is like a man traveling to another country, having left his house and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch.

35Watch therefore, for you don’t know when the lord of the house is coming—whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning;

36lest, coming suddenly, he might find you sleeping.

37What I tell you, I tell all: Watch!”

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Mark 13.

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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.

Cross References

Mark 13
v14Daniel 9:27quotation

Direct reference to the "abomination of desolation" spoken of by Daniel the prophet.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v26Daniel 7:13allusion

Old Testament source for the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v1Luke 21:5-7thematic

Luke's parallel account of the disciples admiring the temple stones and Jesus' response.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Matthew 24:1thematic

Matthew's parallel detailing Christ leaving the temple as disciples point out its buildings.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v14Matthew 24:15-28thematic

Matthew's parallel account of the abomination of desolation and instruction to flee to mountains.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v14Luke 21:20-22thematic

Luke's clear historical interpretation of the desolation as Jerusalem being compassed with armies.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v24Matthew 24:29-31thematic

Matthew's parallel description of cosmic disturbances and the Son of man's return.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v30Matthew 24:34thematic

Matthew's exact parallel regarding "this generation" not passing away before fulfillment.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v2Luke 19:41-44thematic

Jesus weeps over Jerusalem and foretells not leaving one stone upon another.

Supported by JFB

v2Micah 3:12fulfillment

Prophecy of Zion being plowed as a field and temple mountain as high places.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v5Matthew 24:5thematic

Matthew's parallel warning against deceivers who will come in Christ's name.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v9Matthew 10:17thematic

Parallel instruction warning disciples of delivery to councils and beatings in synagogues.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v12Micah 7:4-6allusion

Prophetic antecedent describing extreme betrayal among closest family members in times of trouble.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v24Luke 21:25-27thematic

Luke's parallel on signs in the sun, moon, stars, and waves before Christ's return.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v32Matthew 24:36-42thematic

Matthew's parallel regarding no man knowing the day or hour, only the Father.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v34Matthew 25:14-30thematic

The parable of the talents, illustrating the Master giving authority and work to servants.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v11Luke 12:11thematic

Parallel instruction not to premeditate defense when brought before rulers, trusting the Holy Spirit.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v19Daniel 12:1allusion

Old Testament basis for the prediction of unprecedented tribulation and distress.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v24Isaiah 13:10allusion

Prophetic imagery of the darkening of stars, sun, and moon during divine judgment.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v33Matthew 24:42-44thematic

Exhortation to watch and be ready, since the Son of man comes unexpectedly.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole