Temple Destruction and Other Signs
This passage brings to a conclusion the section...
This passage brings to a conclusion the section begun at 11:1. Israel’s failure to produce fruit (11:12–26; 12:38–40) and its leaders’ hostility toward God’s anointed, the Messiah (11:1–11, 27–33; 12:13–17, 18–27), would result in judgment and the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
1As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look at the magnificent stones and buildings!”
2“Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
Andrew appeared here with the trio, Peter, James,...
- Andrew appeared here with the trio, Peter, James, and John (5:37; 9:2; 14:33), completing the two sets of brothers (1:16–20; 3:16–18).
- Jesus’ prediction elicited two questions from the disciples. Although some scholars argue that the second question goes beyond the first in looking to the coming of the Son of Man at the end of the age, it is best to interpret these two questions as focusing on the time and the sign associated with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (cp. 13:29–30; Luke 21:7). These questions follow naturally from Jesus’ prediction in Mark 13:2. The desire to know the sign reflected the disciples’ desire to be forewarned and prepared for all . . . these things.
3While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4“Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to be fulfilled?”
This section is often divided into two parts,...
- This section is often divided into two parts, 13:5–13 and 13:14–23. The first part is often interpreted as describing the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in AD 70, while the second part is taken to describe the coming of the Son of Man in the future. It is best, however, to interpret all of 13:5–23 as describing events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 because: (1) 13:5–23 is Jesus’ answer to the two questions (13:4) that deal with the destruction of Jerusalem (13:2); (2) The commands to flee Judea (13:14–16), the woe announced upon pregnant and nursing women (13:17), and the prayer that it not take place in winter (13:18) make sense if they refer to the events of AD 70 but not if they refer to the future return of Christ; (3) Three warnings in this passage (13:5, 9, 23) tie this passage together and indicate that 13:5–23 should be understood as a unit.
- The subdivisions of this section are arranged as a chiasm (X-pattern): A: Deceivers claim to be the Messiah (13:5–6). B: There are reports of fighting and natural disasters (13:7–8). C: There is persecution of believers (13:9–13). B': The fighting in Judea and resulting tribulation begin (13:14–20). A': Deceivers claim to be the Messiah (13:21–23).
Jesus warned his followers not to be misled...
Jesus warned his followers not to be misled by the many false messiahs who would come claiming, ‘I am the Messiah’ and would deceive many into following them. These false claimants would profess to be the long-awaited Jewish Messiah (not Jesus per se) or to speak on the Messiah’s behalf. Such claimants included Theudas the Galilean (Acts 5:36), Simon the son of Gioras, and John of Gischala, who deceived many in the AD 60s.
5Jesus began by telling them, “See to it that no one deceives you. 6Many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
Witnessing to All Nations
(Matthew 24:9–14; Luke 21:10–19)
9So be on your guard. You will be delivered over to the councils and beaten in the synagogues. On My account you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations. 11But when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
There would be no single group, not even...
There would be no single group, not even their own families, to whom persecuted Christians could automatically flee or turn for help (see Matt 10:35–36; Luke 12:53). They would be universally hated because of their allegiance to Jesus (because you are my followers). Those who remain faithful to death (to the end) will be saved from eternal punishment (see also Mark 8:35; Rev 2:7, 10, 17, 26–28; 3:5, 12, 21).
12Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. 13You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.
The Abomination of Desolation
(Matthew 24:15–25; Luke 21:20–24)
Jesus now gave the sign requested in 13:4...
Jesus now gave the sign requested in 13:4 and instructed his followers how to respond when they saw it. In 13:5–13, they were told not to be alarmed. Here they are told that those in Judea must flee to the hills.
14So when you see the abomination of desolation† standing where it should not be († let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
A person relaxing on the roof of their...
A person relaxing on the roof of their Judean home should not even pack after seeing this sign, but come down and flee. Likewise, a person out in the field should not return home to retrieve his coat. Believers were to flee from the approaching Roman army as soon as they saw the sign of 13:14. The Roman army did not practice a swift “blitzkrieg” kind of warfare. Their movement tended to be cautious, methodical, and relentless. But Jesus warned against playing a waiting game to see how things would develop.
15Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. 16And let no one in the field return for his cloak.
17How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! 18Pray that this will not occur in the winter. 19For those will be days of tribulation unseen from the beginning of God’s creation until now, and never to be seen again. 20If the Lord had not cut short those days, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has cut them short.
The larger section (13:5–23) concludes with another warning...
- The larger section (13:5–23) concludes with another warning about messianic pretenders. Here the pretenders are associated with the events of AD 70, whereas in 13:5–6 they were associated with the normal course of events. Along with false messiahs, prophets would appear and perform miraculous signs and wonders (13:22), hoping to deceive not only the Jews of Judea and Jerusalem but even the Christians (God’s chosen ones). Jesus warned his followers not to believe such reports. When the Messiah comes from heaven (13:26), everyone will see and know it (see Rev 1:7).
- Watch out! This warning unifies the section (Mark 13:5–23) and brings it to a close. Jesus’ teaching in this section was to warn his followers in Judea and Jerusalem not to be misled by false messianic hopes and claims. Many Jews succumbed to such claims in the late AD 60s, and Josephus (Antiquities 17.10.8) describes the great harm done by these pretenders, who encouraged the Jewish people to resist the Romans. Nothing should distract Christians from fleeing Judea and Jerusalem when they see the sacrilegious object that causes desecration taking place.
- For Mark’s readers in Rome, Jesus’ message had a different application. Mark wanted his readers to watch out for those who promised timetables for prophecy to be fulfilled. They could not know the time (13:32), and a frenzy about the second coming of Christ was forbidden, but they were to be alert (13:33–37) and prepare themselves for persecution (13:9–13; see 8:34–38) according to Jesus’ words of encouragement (13:11, 13).
21At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it. 22For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. 23So be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance.
The Return of the Son of Man
(Matthew 24:26–31; Luke 21:25–28)
Some of the language used in the New...
Some of the language used in the New Testament to describe Jesus’ second coming, such as the “trumpet call of God” (1 Thes 4:16), appears to be metaphorical, and in the Old Testament, cosmic language is frequently used to describe historical events metaphorically (see Isa 11:1–9; 13:9–11; Jer 4:23–28; Ezek 32:1–16). So it is possible that this imagery could refer to a past event, such as the destruction of Jerusalem, if that is the meaning of Mark 13:24–27. However, the New Testament writers clearly understood the coming of the Son of Man to be the visible and personal return of Jesus in the future (see Acts 1:9–11).
At that time, after the anguish of those...
At that time, after the anguish of those days: Many scholars argue that the cosmic signs of 13:24–25, the coming of the Son of Man in 13:26, and the gathering of the chosen ones from throughout the world in 13:27 are metaphorical ways of referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and to the vindication of the Son of Man by that event. The traditional interpretation, though, is that, whereas the former material refers to the destruction of Jerusalem, this passage refers to the coming of the Son of Man (the parousia) that will occur at the end of history. This interpretation fits better for several reasons: (1) After the anguish of those days means after the destruction of Jerusalem, not during it, and at that time (literally in those days) could occur at any time after the events of 13:5–23; (2) several words used in 13:26 are used elsewhere to describe the coming of the Son of Man: glory (8:38), power and clouds (14:62); and (3) in light of the early church’s longing and praying for the return of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor 16:22; Rev 22:20), Mark’s readers would have interpreted Mark 13:26 as the second coming of Jesus, which will bring history as we know it to a close. The prophets, Jesus, and the Gospel writers described this event as though seen through a telescope, and the distance between events is unclear; no one knows the time for this event except God himself (13:32). The events of 13:5–23 and 13:24–27 are part of the same great, divine act that includes the coming of the Son of Man, his ministry, death, and resurrection, the judgment of Jerusalem in AD 70, and the Son of Man’s final coming in glory.
24But in those days, after that tribulation:
‘The sun will be darkened,and the moon will not give its light;25the stars will fall from the sky,and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’†26At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.† 27And He will send out the angels to gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
(Matthew 24:32–35; Luke 21:29–33)
This passage contains the lesson (literally parable) of...
This passage contains the lesson (literally parable) of the fig tree (13:28–30) and two sayings (13:30–31). It is closely tied to 13:4–23 by the words all these things (13:4) and the expression when you see (13:29; cp. 13:14).
28Now learn this lesson† from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near. 29So also, when you see these things happening, know that He is near,† right at the door. 30Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
Readiness at Any Hour
(Matthew 24:36–51; Luke 12:35–48)
Just as 13:28–31 seems to pick up the...
Just as 13:28–31 seems to pick up the theme of 13:5–23 in speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, 13:32–37 apparently picks up the theme of 13:24–27 and speaks of the coming of the Son of Man. An introductory warning against speculations concerning the end time (13:32) is followed by a warning to be on guard because one cannot know the time of the end (13:33). A story illustrates the need to be ready for the Lord’s return (13:34), and its application repeats the need to watch lest they be found unprepared (13:35–36); the concluding warning is also for watchfulness (13:37).
32No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
These verses contain several variations of the same...
These verses contain several variations of the same basic warning: Be on guard! Stay alert! and watch. The repetition emphasizes the need to be vigilant.
33Be on your guard and stay alert!† For you do not know when the appointed time will come.
The point of the story is not that...
- The point of the story is not that the return of the Lord is uncertain or unexpected (see Matt 24:45–51; 25:1–30; Luke 12:36–38; 19:12–27), but that there will be no sign or warning of his coming. The parable is allegorical in at least two respects, with the master (Greek kurios) understood as the Lord [kurios] Jesus Christ and the slaves or household servants as the Christian community. But to allegorize the gatekeeper as the apostles or Peter was a post–New Testament development.
- in the evening, at midnight, before dawn (literally the cock’s crowing), or at daybreak: The four periods of the night correspond to the Roman division of the night into four watches of three hours each and simply mean that the master can return at any time during the night.
34It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch. 35Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. 36Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping. 37And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!”