Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Mark » Chapter 13 » Verse 1-37

Mark 13:1-37 King James Version (KJV)

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1 And 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!

2 And 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.

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

7 And 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.

8 For 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.

9 But 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.

10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

11 But 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.

12 Now 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.

13 And 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.

14 But 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:

15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:

16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

19 For 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.

20 And 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.

21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

27 And 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.

28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.

30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

34 For 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.

35 Watch 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:

36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Mark 13:1-37 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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1 And G2532 as he G846 went G1607 out of G1537 the temple, G2411 one G1520 of his G846 disciples G3101 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Master, G1320 see G2396 what manner G4217 of stones G3037 and G2532 what G4217 buildings G3619 are here!

2 And G2532 Jesus G2424 answering G611 said G2036 unto him, G846 Seest thou G991 these G5025 great G3173 buildings? G3619 there shall G863 not G3364 be left G863 one stone G3037 upon G1909 another, G3037 that G3739 shall G2647 not G3364 be thrown down. G2647

3 And G2532 as he G846 sat G2521 upon G1519 the mount G3735 of Olives G1636 over against G2713 the temple, G2411 Peter G4074 and G2532 James G2385 and G2532 John G2491 and G2532 Andrew G406 asked G1905 him G846 privately, G2596 G2398

4 Tell G2036 us, G2254 when G4219 shall these things G5023 be? G2071 and G2532 what G5101 shall be the sign G4592 when G3752 all G3956 these things G5023 shall G3195 be fulfilled? G4931

5 And G1161 Jesus G2424 answering G611 them G846 began G756 to say, G3004 Take heed G991 lest G3361 any G5100 man deceive G4105 you: G5209

6 For G1063 many G4183 shall come G2064 in G1909 my G3450 name, G3686 saying, G3004 G3754 I G1473 am G1510 Christ; and G2532 shall deceive G4105 many. G4183

7 And G1161 when G3752 ye shall hear G191 of wars G4171 and G2532 rumours G189 of wars, G4171 be ye G2360 not G3361 troubled: G2360 for G1063 such things must G1163 needs be; G1096 but G235 the end G5056 shall not be yet. G3768

8 For G1063 nation G1484 shall rise G1453 against G1909 nation, G1484 and G2532 kingdom G932 against G1909 kingdom: G932 and G2532 there shall be G2071 earthquakes G4578 in divers G2596 places, G5117 and G2532 there shall be G2071 famines G3042 and G2532 troubles: G5016 these G5023 are the beginnings G746 of sorrows. G5604

9 But G1161 take heed G5210 G991 to yourselves: G1438 for G1063 they shall deliver G3860 you G5209 up G3860 to G1519 councils; G4892 and G2532 in G1519 the synagogues G4864 ye shall be beaten: G1194 and G2532 ye shall be brought G2476 G71 before G1909 rulers G2232 and G2532 kings G935 for my G1700 sake, G1752 for G1519 a testimony G3142 against them. G846

10 And G2532 the gospel G2098 must G1163 first G4412 be published G2784 among G1519 all G3956 nations. G1484

11 But G1161 when G3752 they shall lead G71 you, and deliver G3860 you G5209 up, G3860 take G4305 no G3361 thought beforehand G4305 what G5101 ye shall speak, G2980 neither G3366 do ye premeditate: G3191 but G235 whatsoever G3739 shall be G1437 given G1325 you G5213 in G1722 that G1565 hour, G5610 that G5124 speak G2980 ye: for G1063 it is G2075 not G3756 ye G5210 that speak, G2980 but G235 the Holy G40 Ghost. G4151

12 Now G1161 the brother G80 shall betray G3860 the brother G80 to G1519 death, G2288 and G2532 the father G3962 the son; G5043 and G2532 children G5043 shall rise up G1881 against G1909 their parents, G1118 and G2532 shall cause G2289 them G846 to be put to death. G2289

13 And G2532 ye shall be G2071 hated G3404 of G5259 all G3956 men for G1223 my G3450 name's sake: G1223 G3686 but G1161 he that shall endure G5278 unto G1519 the end, G5056 the same G3778 shall be saved. G4982

14 But G1161 when G3752 ye shall see G1492 the abomination G946 of desolation, G2050 spoken G4483 of by G5259 Daniel G1158 the prophet, G4396 standing G2476 G2476 where G3699 it ought G1163 not, G3756 (let him that readeth G314 understand,) G3539 then G5119 let them G5343 that be in G1722 Judaea G2449 flee G5343 to G1519 the mountains: G3735

15 And G1161 let him G2597 that is on G1909 the housetop G1430 not G3361 go down G2597 into G1519 the house, G3614 neither G3366 enter G1525 therein, to take G142 any thing G5100 out of G1537 his G846 house: G3614

16 And G2532 let G1994 him that is G5607 in G1519 the field G68 not G3361 turn G1994 G1519 back G3694 again G1994 for to take up G142 his G846 garment. G2440

17 But G1161 woe G3759 to them that are G2192 with G1722 child, G1064 and G2532 to them that give suck G2337 in G1722 those G1565 days! G2250

18 And G1161 pray ye G4336 that G3363 your G5216 flight G5437 be G1096 not G3363 in the winter. G5494

19 For G1063 in those G1565 days G2250 shall be G2071 affliction, G2347 such G5108 as G3634 was G1096 not G3756 from G575 the beginning G746 of the creation G2937 which G3739 God G2316 created G2936 unto G2193 this time, G3568 neither G2532 G3364 shall be. G1096

20 And G2532 except G1508 that the Lord G2962 had shortened G2856 those days, G2250 no G3756 G3956 flesh G4561 should be G302 saved: G4982 but G235 for G1223 the elect's sake, G1588 whom G3739 he hath chosen, G1586 he hath shortened G2856 the days. G2250

21 And G2532 then G5119 if G1437 any man G5100 shall say G2036 to you, G5213 Lo, G2400 here G5602 is Christ; G5547 or, G2228 lo, G2400 he is there; G1563 believe G4100 him not: G3361

22 For G1063 false Christs G5580 and G2532 false prophets G5578 shall rise, G1453 and G2532 shall shew G1325 signs G4592 and G2532 wonders, G5059 to G4314 seduce, G635 if G1487 it were possible, G1415 even G2532 the elect. G1588

23 But G1161 take G991 ye G5210 heed: G991 behold, G2400 I have foretold G4280 you G5213 all things. G3956

24 But G235 in G1722 those G1565 days, G2250 after G3326 that G1565 tribulation, G2347 the sun G2246 shall be darkened, G4654 and G2532 the moon G4582 shall G1325 not G3756 give G1325 her G846 light, G5338

25 And G2532 the stars G792 of heaven G3772 shall G2071 fall, G1601 and G2532 the powers G1411 that are in G1722 heaven G3772 shall be shaken. G4531

26 And G2532 then G5119 shall they see G3700 the Son G5207 of man G444 coming G2064 in G1722 the clouds G3507 with G3326 great G4183 power G1411 and G2532 glory. G1391

27 And G2532 then G5119 shall he send G649 his G846 angels, G32 and G2532 shall gather together G1996 his G846 elect G1588 from G1537 the four G5064 winds, G417 from G575 the uttermost part G206 of the earth G1093 to G2193 the uttermost part G206 of heaven. G3772

28 Now G1161 learn G3129 a parable G3850 of G575 the fig tree; G4808 When G3752 her G846 branch G2798 is G1096 yet G2235 tender, G527 and G2532 putteth forth G1631 leaves, G5444 ye know G1097 that G3754 summer G2330 is G2076 near: G1451

29 So G3779 ye G5210 in like manner, G2532 when G3752 ye shall see G1492 these things G5023 come to pass, G1096 know G1097 that G3754 it is G2076 nigh, G1451 even at G1909 the doors. G2374

30 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that G3754 this G3778 generation G1074 shall G3928 not G3364 pass, G3928 till G3360 G3739 all G3956 these things G5023 be done. G1096

31 Heaven G3772 and G2532 earth G1093 shall pass away: G3928 but G1161 my G3450 words G3056 shall G3928 not G3364 pass away. G3928

32 But G1161 of G4012 that G1565 day G2250 and G2532 that hour G5610 knoweth G1492 no man, G3762 no, not G3761 the angels G32 which G3588 are in G1722 heaven, G3772 neither G3761 the Son, G5207 but G1508 the Father. G3962

33 Take ye heed, G991 watch G69 and G2532 pray: G4336 for G1063 ye know G1492 not G3756 when G4219 the time G2540 is. G2076

34 For the Son of man is as G5613 a man G444 taking a far journey, G590 who left G863 his G846 house, G3614 and G2532 gave G1325 authority G1849 to his G846 servants, G1401 and G2532 to every man G1538 his G846 work, G2041 and G2532 commanded G1781 the porter G2377 to G2443 watch. G1127

35 Watch ye G1127 therefore: G3767 for G1063 ye know G1492 not G3756 when G4219 the master G2962 of the house G3614 cometh, G2064 at even, G3796 or G2228 at midnight, G3317 or G2228 at the cockcrowing, G219 or G2228 in the morning: G4404

36 Lest G3361 coming G2064 suddenly G1810 he find G2147 you G5209 sleeping. G2518

37 And G1161 what G3739 I say G3004 unto you G5213 I say G3004 unto all, G3956 Watch. G1127

Mark 13:1-37 American Standard (ASV)

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1 And as he went forth out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Teacher, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings!

2 And Jesus said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left here one stone upon another, which shall not be thrown down.

3 And as he sat on the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what `shall be' the sign when these things are all about to be accomplished?

5 And Jesus began to say unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray.

6 Many shall come in my name, saying, I am `he'; and shall lead many astray.

7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be not troubled: `these things' must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet.

8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there shall be earthquakes in divers places; there shall be famines: these things are the beginning of travail.

9 But take ye heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in synagogues shall ye be beaten; and before governors and kings shall ye stand for my sake, for a testimony unto them.

10 And the gospel must first be preached unto all the nations.

11 And when they lead you `to judgment', and deliver you up, be not anxious beforehand what ye shall speak: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye; for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit.

12 And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child; and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

14 But when ye see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains:

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

16 and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak.

17 But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!

18 And pray ye that it be not in the winter.

19 For those days shall be tribulation, such as there hath not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never shall be.

20 And except the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the elect's sake, whom he chose, he shortened the days.

21 And then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ; or, Lo, there; believe `it' not:

22 for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect.

23 But take ye heed: behold, I have told you all things beforehand.

24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

25 and the stars shall be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken.

26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

27 And then shall he send forth the angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

28 Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh;

29 even so ye also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that he is nigh, `even' at the doors.

30 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, until all these things be accomplished.

31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

32 But of that day or that hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

34 `It is' as `when' a man, sojourning in another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, to each one his work, commanded also the porter to watch.

35 Watch therefore: for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning;

36 lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Mark 13:1-37 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

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1 And as he is going forth out of the temple, one of his disciples saith to him, `Teacher, see! what stones! and what buildings!'

2 and Jesus answering said to him, `Seest thou these great buildings? there may not be left a stone upon a stone, that may not be thrown down.'

3 And as he is sitting at the mount of the Olives, over-against the temple, Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, were questioning him by himself,

4 `Tell us when these things shall be? and what `is' the sign when all these may be about to be fulfilled?'

5 And Jesus answering them, began to say, `Take heed lest any one may lead you astray,

6 for many shall come in my name, saying -- I am `he', and many they shall lead astray;

7 and when ye may hear of wars and reports of wars, be not troubled, for these behove to be, but the end `is' not yet;

8 for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles; beginnings of sorrows `are' these.

9 `And take ye heed to yourselves, for they shall deliver you up to sanhedrims, and to synagogues, ye shall be beaten, and before governors and kings ye shall be set for my sake, for a testimony to them;

10 and to all the nations it behoveth first that the good news be proclaimed.

11 `And when they may lead you, delivering up, be not anxious beforehand what ye may speak, nor premeditate, but whatever may be given to you in that hour, that speak ye, for it is not ye who are speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

12 `And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and father child, and children shall rise up against parents, and shall put them to death,

13 and ye shall be hated by all because of my name, but he who hath endured to the end -- he shall be saved.

14 `And when ye may see the abomination of the desolation, that was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (whoever is reading let him understand), then those in Judea, let them flee to the mountains;

15 and he upon the house-top, let him not come down to the house, nor come in to take anything out of his house;

16 and he who is in the field, let him not turn to the things behind, to take up his garment.

17 `And wo to those with child, and to those giving suck, in those days;

18 and pray ye that your flight may not be in winter,

19 for those days shall be tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the creation that God created, till now, and may not be;

20 and if the Lord did not shorten the days, no flesh had been saved; but because of the chosen, whom He did choose to Himself, He did shorten the days.

21 `And then, if any may say to you, Lo, here `is' the Christ, or, Lo, there, ye may not believe;

22 for there shall rise false Christs and false prophets, and they shall give signs and wonders, to seduce, if possible, also the chosen;

23 and ye, take heed; lo, I have foretold you all things.

24 `But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

25 and the stars of the heaven shall be falling, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken.

26 `And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in clouds with much power and glory,

27 and then he shall send his messengers, and gather together his chosen from the four winds, from the end of the earth unto the end of heaven.

28 `And from the fig-tree learn ye the simile: when the branch may already become tender, and may put forth the leaves, ye know that nigh is the summer;

29 so ye, also, when these ye may see coming to pass, ye know that it is nigh, at the doors.

30 Verily I say to you, that this generation may not pass away till all these things may come to pass;

31 the heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

32 `And concerning that day and the hour no one hath known -- not even the messengers who are in the heaven, not even the Son -- except the Father.

33 Take heed, watch and pray, for ye have not known when the time is;

34 as a man who is gone abroad, having left his house, and given to his servants the authority, and to each one his work, did command also the porter that he may watch;

35 watch ye, therefore, for ye have not known when the lord of the house doth come, at even, or at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or at the morning;

36 lest, having come suddenly, he may find you sleeping;

37 and what I say to you, I say to all, Watch.'

Mark 13:1-37 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

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1 And as he was going out of the temple, one of his disciples says to him, Teacher, see what stones and what buildings!

2 And Jesus answering said to him, Seest thou these great buildings? not a stone shall be left upon a stone, which shall not be thrown down.

3 And as he sat on the mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

4 Tell us, when shall these things be, and what is the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?

5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any one mislead you.

6 For many shall come in my name, saying, It is *I*, and shall mislead many.

7 But when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be not disturbed, for [this] must happen, but the end is not yet.

8 For nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be earthquakes in [different] places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these things [are the] beginnings of throes.

9 But *ye*, take heed to yourselves, for they shall deliver you up to sanhedrims and to synagogues: ye shall be beaten and brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them;

10 and the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

11 But when they shall lead you away to deliver you up, be not careful beforehand as to what ye shall say, [nor prepare your discourse]: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak; for *ye* are not the speakers, but the Holy Spirit.

12 But brother shall deliver up brother to death, and father child; and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

13 And ye will be hated of all on account of my name; but he that has endured to the end, *he* shall be saved.

14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not, (he that reads let him consider [it],) then let those in Judaea flee to the mountains;

15 and him that is upon the housetop not come down into the house, nor enter [into it] to take away anything out of his house;

16 and him that is in the field not return back to take his garment.

17 But woe to those that are with child and to those that give suck in those days!

18 And pray that it may not be in winter time;

19 for those days shall be distress such as there has not been the like since [the] beginning of creation which God created, until now, and never shall be;

20 and if [the] Lord had not cut short those days, no flesh should have been saved; but on account of the elect whom he has chosen, he has cut short those days.

21 And then if any one say to you, Lo, here [is] the Christ, or Lo, there, believe [it] not.

22 For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and give signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

23 But do *ye* take heed: behold, I have told you all things beforehand.

24 But in those days, after that distress, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give its light;

25 and the stars of heaven shall be falling down, and the powers which are in the heavens shall be shaken;

26 and then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory;

27 and then shall he send his angels and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from end of earth to end of heaven.

28 But learn the parable from the fig-tree: when its branch already becomes tender and puts forth the leaves, ye know that the summer is near.

29 Thus also *ye*, when ye see these things happening, know that it is near, at the doors.

30 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall in no wise pass away, till all these things take place.

31 The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall in no wise pass away.

32 But of that day or of that hour no one knows, neither the angels who are in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father.

33 Take heed, watch and pray, for ye do not know when the time is:

34 [it is] as a man gone out of the country, having left his house and given to his bondmen the authority, and to each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper that he should watch.

35 Watch therefore, for ye do not know when the master of the house comes: evening, or midnight, or cock-crow, or morning;

36 lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

37 But what I say to you, I say to all, Watch.

Mark 13:1-37 World English Bible (WEB)

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

2 Jesus 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."

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

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

6 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!{Literally, "I AM!"}' 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.

8 For 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.

10 The Gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

11 When 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.

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

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

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

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

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

19 For 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.

20 Unless 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

27 Then 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 puts forth its leaves, you know that the summer is near;

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

30 Most assuredly I say to you, this generation{The word translated "generation" (genea) could also be translated "race," "family," or "people."} will not pass away until all these things happen.

31 Heaven 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.

33 Watch, 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.

35 Watch 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;

36 lest coming suddenly he might find you sleeping.

37 What I tell you, I tell all: Watch."

Mark 13:1-37 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

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1 And when he was going out of the Temple, one of his disciples said to him, Master, see, what stones and what buildings!

2 And Jesus said to him, Do you see these great buildings? there is not one stone here resting on another which will not be overturned.

3 And while he was seated on the Mountain of Olives opposite the Temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew said to him privately,

4 Say when these things will be, and what will be the sign when these things are all about to be done.

5 And Jesus said to them, Take care that you are not tricked by anyone.

6 People will come in my name, saying, I am he; and a number will be turned from the true way.

7 And when you have news of wars and talk of wars, do not be troubled; these things have to be, but it is still not the end.

8 Nation will go to war with nation, and kingdom with kingdom: there will be earth-shocks in different places; there will be times when there is no food; these things are the first of the troubles.

9 But take care: for they will give you up to the Sanhedrins; and in Synagogues you will be whipped; and you will be taken before rulers and kings because of me, for a sign to them.

10 And the good news has first to be given to all the nations.

11 And when you are taken and given up to be judged, do not be troubled about what to say: but whatever is given to you in that hour, say: because it is not you who say it, but the Holy Spirit.

12 And brother will give up brother to death, and the father his child; and children will go against their fathers and mothers, and put them to death.

13 And you will be hated by all men, because of my name; but he who goes through to the end will have salvation.

14 But when you see the unclean thing which makes destruction, in the place where it has no right to be (let this be clear to the reader), then let those who are in Judaea go quickly to the mountains:

15 And let him who is on the house-top not go down, or go in, to take anything out of his house:

16 And let not him who is in the field go back to take his coat.

17 And it will be hard for women who are with child and for her who has a baby at the breast in those days.

18 And say a prayer that it may not be in the winter.

19 For in those days there will be sorrow, such as there has not been from the time when God made the world till now, and will not ever be again.

20 And if the Lord had not made the time short, no flesh would have been kept from destruction; but because of the saints he has made the time short.

21 And then if any man says to you, See, here is Christ; or, See, there; have no faith in it:

22 Because there will be false Christs and false prophets, and they will give signs and wonders in the hope of turning even the saints from the true way.

23 But take care; see, I have made all things clear to you before the time.

24 But in those days, after that time of trouble, the sun will be made dark and the moon will not give her light,

25 And the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers which are in the heavens will be moved.

26 And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

27 And then he will send out the angels, and will get together his saints from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.

28 Take an example from the fig-tree: when its branches become soft and put out their leaves, you see that the summer is near;

29 Even so, when you see these things taking place, you may be certain that he is near, even at the doors.

30 Truly, I say to you, This generation will not come to an end till all these things are complete.

31 Heaven and earth will come to an end, but my words will not come to an end.

32 But of that day or that hour no one has knowledge, not even the angels in heaven, or the Son, but the Father.

33 Take care, keep watch with prayer: for you are not certain when the time will be.

34 It is as when a man who is in another country for a time, having gone away from his house, and given authority to his servants and to everyone his work, gives the porter an order to keep watch.

35 So you are to keep watch: because you are not certain when the master of the house is coming, in the evening, or in the middle of the night, or at the cock's cry, or in the morning;

36 For fear that, coming suddenly, he sees you sleeping.

37 And what I say to you, I say to all, Keep watch.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Mark 13

Commentary on Mark 13 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 13

We have here the substance of that prophetical sermon which our Lord Jesus preached, pointing at the destruction of Jerusalem, and the consummation of all things; it was one of the last of his sermons, and not ad populum-to the people, but ad clerum-to the clergy; it was private, preached only to four of his disciples, with whom his secret was. Here is,

  • I. The occasion of his prediction-his disciples' admiring the building of the temple (v. 1, 2), and their enquiry concerning the time of the desolation of them (v. 3, 4).
  • II. The predictions themselves,
    • 1. Of the rise of deceivers (v. 5, 6, 21-23).
    • 2. Of the wars of the nations (v. 7, 8).
    • 3. Of the persecution of Christians (v. 9-13).
    • 4. Of the destruction of Jerusalem (v. 14-20).
    • 5. Of the end of the world (v. 24-27).
  • III. Some general intimations concerning the time of them (v. 28-32).
  • IV. Some practical inferences from all (v. 33-37).

Mar 13:1-4

We may here see,

  • I. How apt many of Christ's own disciples are to idolize things that look great, and have been long looked upon as sacred. They had heard Christ complain of those who had made the temple a den of thieves; and yet, when he quitted it, for the wickedness that remained in it, they court him to be as much in love as they were with the stately structure and adorning of it. One of them said to him, "Look, Master, what manner of stones, and what buildings are here, v. 1. We never saw the like in Galilee; O do not leave this fine place.'
  • II. How little Christ values external pomp, where there is not real purity; "Seest thou these great buildings' (saith Christ), "and admirest thou them? I tell thee, the time is at hand when there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down,' v. 2. And the sumptuousness of the fabric shall be no security to it, no nor move any compassion in the Lord Jesus towards it. He looks with pity upon the ruin of precious souls, and weeps over them, for on them he has put great value; but we do not find him look with any pity upon the ruin of a magnificent house, when he is driven out of it by sin, for that is of small value with him. With what little concern doth he say, Not one stone shall be left on another! Much of the strength of the temple lay in the largeness of the stones, and if these be thrown down, no footstep, no remembrance, of it will remain. While any part remained standing, there might be some hopes of the repair of it; but what hope is there, when not one stone is left upon another?
  • III. How natural it is to us to desire to know things to come, and the times of them; more inquisitive we are apt to be about that than about our duty. His disciples knew not how to digest this doctrine of the ruin of the temple, which they thought must be their Master's royal palace, and in which they expected their preferment, and to have the posts of honour; and therefore they were in pain till they got him alone, and got more out of him concerning this matter. As he was returning to Bethany therefore, he sat upon the mount of Olives, over against the temple, where he had a full view of it; and there four of them agreed to ask him privately, what he meant by the destroying of the temple, which they understood no more than they did the predictions of his own death, so inconsistent was it with their scheme. Probably, though these four proposed the question, yet Christ's discourse, in answer to it, was in the hearing of the rest of the disciples, yet privately, that is, apart from the multitude. Their enquiry is, When shall these things be? They will not question, at least not seem to question, whether they shall be or no (for their Master has said that they shall), but are willing to hope it is a great way off. Yet they ask not precisely the day and year (therein they were modest), but say, "Tell us what shall be the sign, when all these things shall be fulfilled? What presages shall there be of them, and how may we prognosticate their approach?'

Mar 13:5-13

Our Lord Jesus, in reply to their question, sets himself, not so much to satisfy their curiosity as to direct their consciences; leaves them still in the dark concerning the times and seasons, which the father has kept in his own power, and which it was not for them to know; but gives them the cautions which were needful, with reference to the events that should now shortly come to pass.

  • I. They must take heed that they be not deceived by the seducers and imposters that should now shortly arise (v. 5, 6); "Take heed lest any man deceive you, lest, having found the true Messiah, you lose him again in the crowd of pretenders, or be inveigled to embrace others in rivalship with him. Many shall come in my name (not in the name of Jesus), but saying, I am the Christ, and so claiming the dignities which I only an entitled to.' After the Jews had rejected the true Christ, they were imposed upon, and so exposed by many false Christs, but never before; those false Christs deceived many; Therefore take heed lest they deceive you. Note, When many are deceived, we should thereby be awakened to look to ourselves.
  • II. They must take heed that they be not disturbed at the noise of wars, which they should be alarmed with, v. 7, 8. Sin introduced wars, and they come from men's lusts. But at some times the nations are more distracted and wasted with wars than at other times; so it shall be now; Christ was born into the world when there was a general peace, but soon after he went out of the world there were general wars; Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And what will become of them then who are to preach the gospel to every nation? Inter arma silent leges-Amidst the clash of arms, the voice of law is not heard. "But be not troubled at it.'
    • 1. "Let it be no surprise to you; you are bid to expect it, and such things must needs be, for God has appointed them, in order to further accomplishment of his purposes, and by the wars of the Jews' (which Josephus has given us a large account of) "God will punish the wickedness of the Jews.'
    • 2. "Let it be no terror to you, as if your interest were in danger of being overthrown, or your work obstructed by these wars; you have no concern in them, and therefore need not be apprehensive of any damage by them.' Note, Those that despise the smiles of the world, and do not court and covet them, may despise the frowns of the world, and need not fear them. If we seek not to rise with them that rise in the world, why should we dread falling with them that fall in the world?
    • 3. "Let it not be looked upon as an omen of the approaching period of the world, for the end is not yet, v. 7. Think not that these wars will bring the world to a period; no, there are other intermediate counsels to be fulfilled betwixt that end and the end of all things, which are designed to prepare you for the end, but not to hasten it out of due time.'
    • 4. "Let it not be looked upon as if in them God has done his worst; no, he has more arrows in his quiver, and they are ordained against the persecutors; be not troubled at the wars you shall hear of, for they are but the beginnings of sorrows, and therefore, instead of being disturbed at them, you ought to prepare for worse; for there shall also be earthquakes in divers places, which shall bury multitudes in the ruins of their own houses, and there shall be famines, by which many of the poor shall perish for want of bread, and troubles and commotions; so that there shall be no peace to him that goes out or comes in. The world shall be full of troubles, but be not ye troubled; without are fightings, within are fears, but fear not ye their fear.' Note, The disciples of Christ, if it be not their own fault, may enjoy a holy security and serenity of mind, when all about them is in the greatest disorder.
  • III. They must take heed that they be not drawn away from Christ, and from their duty to him, by the sufferings they should meet with for Christ's sake. Again, he saith, "Take heed to yourselves, v. 9. Though you may escape the sword of war, better than some of your neighbours, because you interest not yourselves in the public quarrels, yet be not secure; you will be exposed to the sword of justice more than others, and the parties that contend with one another, will unite against you. Take heed therefore lest you deceive yourselves with the hopes of outward prosperity, and such a temporal kingdom as you have been dreaming of, when it is through many tribulations that you must enter into the kingdom of God. Take heed lest you needlessly expose yourselves to trouble, and pull it upon your own head. Take heed what you say and do, for you will have many eyes upon you.' Observe,
    • 1. What the trouble is which they must expect.
      • (1.) They shall be hated of all men; trouble enough! The thoughts of being hated are grievous to a tender spirit, and the fruits of that hatred must needs be a constant vexation; those that are malicious, will be mischievous. It was not for any thing amiss in them, or done amiss by them, that they were hated, but for Christ's name sake, because they were called by his name, called upon his name, preached his name, and wrought miracles in his name. The world hated them because he loved them.
      • (2.) Their own relations shall betray them, those to whom they were most nearly allied, and on whom therefore they depended for protection; "They shall betray you, shall inform against you, and be your prosecutors.' If a father has a child that is a Christian, he shall become void of natural affection, it shall be swallowed up in bigotry, and he shall betray his own child to the persecutors, as if he were a worshipper of other gods, Deu. 13:6-10.
      • (3.) Their church-rulers shall inflict their censures upon them; "You shall be delivered up to the great Sanhedrim at Jerusalem, and to the inferior courts and consistories in other cities, and shall be beaten in the synagogues with forty stripes at a time, as offenders against the law which was read in the synagogue.' It is no new thing for the church's artillery, through the treachery of its officers, to be turned against some of its best friends.
      • (4.) Governors and kings shall use their power against them. Because the Jews have not power to put them to death, they shall incense the Roman powers against them, as they did Herod against James and Peter; and they shall cause you to be put to death, as enemies to the empire. They must resist unto blood, and still resist.
    • 2. What they shall have to comfort themselves with, in the midst of these great and sore troubles.
      • (1.) That the work they were called to should be carried on and prosper, notwithstanding all this opposition which they should meet with in it (v. 10); "The gospel shall, for all this, be published among all nations, and before the destruction of Jerusalem the sound of it shall go forth into all the earth; not only through all the nation of the Jews, but to all the nations of the earth.' It is comfort to those who suffer for the gospel, that, though they may be crushed and borne down, the gospel cannot; it shall keep its ground, and carry the day.
      • (2.) That their sufferings, instead of obstructing their work, should forward it; "Your being brought before governors and kings shall be for a testimony of them (so some read it, v. 9); it shall give you an opportunity of preaching the gospel to those before whom you are brought as criminals, to whom otherwise you could not have access.' Thus St. Paul's being brought before Felix, and Festus, and Agrippa, and Nero, was a testimony to them concerning Christ and his gospel. Or, as we read it, It shall be for a testimony against them, against both the judges and the prosecutors, who pursue those with the utmost rage that appear, upon examination, to be not only innocent but excellent persons. The gospel is a testimony to us concerning Christ and heaven. If we receive it, it will be a testimony for us: it will justify and save us; if not, it will be a testimony against us in the great day.
      • (3.) That, when they were brought before kings and governors for Christ's sake, they should have special assistance from heaven, to plead Christ's cause and their own (v. 11); "Take no thought before-hand what he shall speak, be not solicitous how to address yourselves to great men, so as to obtain their favour; your cause is just and glorious, and needs not be supported by premeditated speeches and harangues; but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, whatsoever shall be suggested to you, and put into your minds, and into your mouths' (pro re natâ-on the spur of the occasion), "that speak ye, and fear not the success of it, because it is off-hand, for it is not ye that speak, purely by the strength of your own wisdom, consideration, and resolution, but it is the Holy Ghost.' Note, Those whom Christ calls out to be advocates for him, shall be furnished with full instructions: and when we are engaged in the service of Christ, we may depend upon the aids of the Spirit of Christ.
      • (4.) That heaven at last would make amends for all; "You will meet with a great deal of hardship in your way, but have a good heart on it, your warfare will be accomplished, and your testimony finished, and he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved,' v. 13. Perseverance gains the crown. The salvation here promised is more than a deliverance from evil, it is an everlasting blessedness, which shall be an abundant recompence for all their services and sufferings. All this we have, Mt. 10:17, etc.

Mar 13:14-23

The Jews, in rebelling against the Romans, and in persecuting the Christians, were hastening to their own ruin apace, both efficiently and meritoriously, were setting both God and man against them; see 1 Th. 2:15. Now here we have a prediction of that ruin which came upon them within less than forty years after this: we had it before, Mt. 24:15, etc. Observe,

  • I. What is here foretold concerning it.
    • 1. That the Roman armies should make a descent upon Judea, and invest Jerusalem, the holy city. These were the abomination of desolation, which the Jews did abominate, and by which they should be made desolate. The country of thine enemy is called the land which thou abhorrest, Isa. 7:16. Therefore it was an abomination, because it brought with it nothing but desolation. They had rejected Christ as an abomination, who would have been their salvation; and now God brought upon them an abomination that would be their desolation, thus spoken of by Daniel the prophet (ch. 9:27), as that by which this sacrifice and offering should be made to cease. This army stood where it ought not, in and about the holy city, which the heathen ought not to have approached, nor would have been suffered to approach, if Jerusalem had not first profaned the crown of their holiness. This the church complains of, Lam. 1:10, The heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into the congregation; but sin made the breach, at which the glory went out, and the abomination of desolation broke in, and stood where it ought not. Now, let him that readeth this, understand it, and endeavor to take it right. Prophecies should not be too plain, and yet intelligible to those that search them; and they are best understood by comparing them first with one another, and at last with the event.
    • 2. That when the Roman army should come into the country, there would be no safety any where but by quitting the country, and that with all possible expedition. It will be in vain to fight, the enemies will be too hard for them; in vain to abscond, the enemies will find them out; and in vain to capitulate, the enemies will give them no quarter; a man cannot have so much as his life given him for a prey, but by fleeing to the mountains out of Judea; and let him take the first alarm, and make the best of his way. If he be on the house-top, trying from thence to discover the motions of the enemy, and spies them coming, let him not go down, to take any thing out of the house, for it will occasion his losing of time, which is more precious than his best goods, and will but encumber him, and embarrass his flight. If he be in the field, and there discover the approach of the enemy, let him get away as he is, and not turn back again, to take up his garment, v. 16. If he can save his life, let him reckon it is a good bargain, though he can save nothing else, and be thankful to God, that, though he is cut short, he is not cut off.
    • 3. That it would go very hard at that time with poor mothers and nurses (v. 17); "Woe to them that are with child, that dare not go into strange places, that cannot shift for themselves, nor make haste as others can. And woe to them that give suck, that know not how either to leave the tender infants behind them, or to carry them along with them.' Such is the vanity of the creature, that the time may often be, when the greatest comforts may prove the greatest burthens. It would likewise be very uncomfortable, if they should be forced to flee in the winter (v. 18), when the weather and ways were bad, when the roads would be scarcely passable, especially in the mountains to which they must flee. If there be no remedy but that trouble must come, yet we may desire and pray that, if it be God's will, the circumstances of it may be so ordered as to be a mitigation of the trouble; and when things are bad, we ought to consider they might have been worse. It is bad to be forced to flee, but it would have been worse if it had been in the winter.
    • 4. That throughout all the country of the Jews, there should be such destruction and desolation made, as could not be paralleled in any history (v. 19); In those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of time; that is, of the creation which God created, for time and the creation are of equal date, unto this day, neither shall be to the end of time; such a complication of miseries, and of such continuance. The destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans was very terrible, but this exceeded it. It threatened a universal slaughter of all the people of the Jews; so barbarously did they devour one another, and the Romans devour them all, that, if their wars had continued a little longer, no flesh could have been saved, not one Jew could have been left alive; but in the midst of wrath God remembered mercy; and,
      • (1.) He shortened the days; he let fall his controversy before he had made a full end. As a church and nation the ruin was complete, but many particular persons had their lives given them for a prey, by the storm's subsiding when it did.
      • (2.) It was for the elects' sake that those days were shortened; many among them fared the better for the sake of the few among them that believed in Christ, and were faithful to him. There was a promise, that a remnant should be saved (Isa. 10:22), and that God would not, for his servants' sakes, destroy them all (Isa. 65:8); and these promises must be fulfilled. God's own elect cry day and night to him, and their prayers must be answered, Lu. 18:7.
  • II. What directions are given to the disciples with reference to it.
    • 1. They must shift for the safety of their lives; "When you see the country invaded, and the city invested, flatter not yourselves with thoughts that the enemy will retire, or that you may be able to make your part good with them; but, without further deliberation or delay, let them that are in Judea, flee to the mountains, v. 14. Meddle not with the strife that belongs not to you; let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth, but do you go out of the ship when you see it sinking, that you die not the death of the uncircumcised in heart.'
    • 2. They must provide for the safety of their souls; "Seducers will be busy at that time, for they love to fish in troubled waters, and therefore then you must double your guard; then, if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or, Lo, he is there, you know he is in heaven, and will come again at the end of time, to judge the world, and therefore believe them not; having received Christ, be not drawn into the snares of any antichrist; for false Christs, and false prophets, shall arise,' v. 22. When the gospel kingdom was in the setting up, Satan mustered all his force, to oppose it, and made use of all his wiles; and God permitted it, for the trial of sincerity of some, and the discovery of the hypocrisy of others, and the confusion of those who rejected Christ, when he was offered to them. False Christs shall rise, and false prophets that shall preach them up; or such, as, though they pretend not to be Christs, set up for prophets, and undertake to foretel things to come, and they shall show signs and lying wonders; so early did the mystery of iniquity begin to work, 2 Th. 2:7. They shall seduce, if it were possible, the very elect; so plausible shall their pretences be, and so industrious shall they be to impose upon people, that they shall drawn away many that were forward and zealous professors of religion, many that were very likely to have persevered; for nothing will be effectual to secure men but that foundation of God which stands immovably sure, The Lord knoweth them that are his, who shall be preserved when the faith of some is overthrown, 2 Tim. 2:18, 19. They shall seduce, if it were possible, the very elect; but it is not possible to seduce them; the election shall obtain, whoever are blinded, Rom. 11:7. But, in consideration hereof, let the disciples be cautious whom they give credit to (v. 23); But take ye heed. Christ knew that they were of the elect, who could not possibly be seduced, and yet he said to them, Take heed. An assurance of persevering, and cautions against apostasy, will very well consist with each other. Though Christ said to them, Take heed, it doth not therefore follow, that their perseverance was doubtful, for they were kept by the power of God; and though their perseverance was secured, yet it doth not therefore follow, that this caution was needless, because they must be kept in the use of proper means. God will keep them, but they must keep themselves. "I have foretold you all things; have foretold you of this danger, that, being fore-warned, you may be fore-armed; I have foretold all things which you needed to have foretold to you, and therefore take heed of hearkening to such as pretend to be prophets, and to foretel more than I have foretold.' The sufficiency of the scripture is good argument against listening to such as pretend to inspiration.

Mar 13:24-27

These verses seem to point at Christ's second coming, to judge the world; the disciples, in their question, had confounded the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world (Mt. 24:3), which was built upon a mistake, as if the temple must needs stand as long as the world stands; this mistake Christ rectifies, and shows that the end of the world in those days, those other days you enquire about, the day of Christ's coming, and the day of judgment, shall be after that tribulation, and not coincident with it. Let those who live to see the Jewish nation destroyed, take heed of thinking that, because the Son of man doth not visibly come in the clouds then, he will never so come; no, he will come after that. And here he foretels,

  • 1. The final dissolution of the present frame and fabric of the world; even of that part of it which seems least liable to change, the upper part, the pure and more refined part; The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall no more give her light; for they shall be quite outshone by the glory of the Son of man, Isa. 24:23. The stars of heaven, that from the beginning had kept their place and regular motion, shall fall as leaves in autumn; and the powers that are in heaven, the heavenly bodies, the fixed stars, shall be shaken.
  • 2. The visible appearance of the Lord Jesus, to whom the judgment of that day shall be committed (v. 26); Then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds. Probably he will come over that very place where he sat when he said this; for the clouds are in the lower region of the air. He shall come with great power and glory, such as will be suited to the errand on which he comes. Every eye shall then see him.
  • 3. The gathering together of all the elect to him (v. 27); He shall send his angels, and gather together his elect to him, to meet him in the air, 1 Th. 4:17. They shall be fetched from one end of the world to the other, so that none shall be missing from that general assembly; they shall be fetched from the uttermost part of the earth, most remote from the places where Christ's tribunal shall be set, and shall be brought to the uttermost part of heaven; so sure, so swift, so easy, shall their conveyance be, that there shall none of them miscarry, though they were to be brought from the uttermost part of the earth one way, to the uttermost part of the heaven another way. A faithful Israelite shall be carried safely, though it were from the utmost border of the land of bondage to the utmost border of the land of promise.

Mar 13:28-37

We have here the application of this prophetical sermon; now learn to look forward in a right manner.

  • I. "As to the destruction of Jerusalem, expect it to come very shortly; as when the branch of the fig-tree becomes soft, and the leaves sprout forth, ye expect that summer will come shortly, v. 28. When second causes begin to work, ye expect their effects in their proper order and time. So when ye see these things come to pass, when ye see the Jewish nation embroiled in wars, distracted by false Christs and prophets, and drawing upon them the displeasure of the Romans, especially when ye see them persecuting you for your Master's sake, and thereby standing to what they did when they put him to death, and repeating it, and so filling up the measure of their iniquity, then say that their ruin is nigh, even at the door, and provide for yourselves accordingly.' The disciples themselves were indeed all of them, except John, taken away from the evil to come, but the next generation whom they were to train up, would live to see it; and by these instructions which Christ left behind him would be kept from sharing in it; "This generation that is now rising up, shall not all be worn off before all these things come to pass, which I have told you of, relating to Jerusalem, and they shall begin to take effect now shortly. And as this destruction is near and within ken, so it is sure. The decree is gone forth, it is a consummation determined,' Dan. 9:27. Christ doth not speak these things, merely to frighten them; no, they are declarations of God's fixed purpose; "Heaven and earth shall pass away, at the end of time; but my words shall not pass away (v. 31), not one of these predictions shall fail of a punctual accomplishment.'
  • II. "As to the end of the world, do not enquire when it will come, for it is not a question fit to be asked, for of that day, and that hour, knoweth no man; it is a thing at a great distance; the exact time is fixed in the counsel of God, but is not revealed by any word of God, either to men on earth, or to angels in heaven; the angels shall have timely notice to prepare to attend in that day, and it shall be published, when it comes to the children of men, with sound of trumpet; but, at present, men and angels are kept in the dark concerning the precise time of it, that they may both attend to their proper services in the present day.' But it follows, neither the Son; but is there any thing which the Son is ignorant of? We read indeed of a book which was sealed, till the Lamb opened the seals; but did not he know what was in it, before the seals were opened? Was not he privy to the writing of it? There were those in the primitive times, who taught from this text, that there were some things that Christ, as man, was ignorant of; and from these were called Agnoetae; they said, "It was no more absurd to say so, than to say that his human soul suffered grief and fear;' and many of the orthodox fathers approved of this. Some would evade it, by saying that Christ spoke this in a way of prudential economy, to divert the disciples from further enquiry: but to this one of the ancients answers, It is not fit to speak too nicely in this matter-ou dei pany akribologein, so Leontius in Dr. Hammond, "It is certain (says Archbishop Tillotson) that Christ, as God, could not be ignorant of any thing; but the divine wisdom which dwelt in our Saviour, did communicate itself to his human soul, according to the divine pleasure, so that his human nature might sometimes not know some things; therefore Christ is said to grow in wisdom (Lu. 2:52), which he could not be said to do, if the human nature of Christ did necessarily know all things by virtue of its union with the divinity.' Dr. Lightfoot explains it thus; Christ calls himself the Son, as Messiah. Now the Messiah, as such, was the father's servant (Isa. 42:1), sent and deputed by him, and as such a one he refers himself often to his Father's will and command, and owns he did nothing of himself (Jn. 5:19); in like manner he might be said to know nothing of himself. The revelation of Jesus Christ was what God gave unto him, Rev. 1:1. He thinks, therefore, that we are to distinguish between those excellencies and perfections of his, which resulted from the personal union between the divine and human nature, and those which flowed from the anointing of the Spirit; from the former flowed the infinite dignity of his perfect freedom from all sin; but from the latter flowed his power of working miracles, and his foreknowledge of things to come. What therefore (saith he) was to be revealed by him to his church, he was pleased to take, not from the union of the human nature with the divine, but from the revelation of the Spirit, by which he yet knew not this, but the Father only knows it; that is, God only, the Deity; for (as Archbishop Tillotson explains it) it is not used here personally, in distinction from the Son and the Holy Ghost, but as the Father is, Fons et Principium Deitatis-The Fountain of Deity.
  • III. "As to both, your duty is to watch and pray. Therefore the time is kept a secret, that you may be engaged to stand always upon your guard (v. 33); Take ye heed of every thing that would indispose you for your Master's coming, and would render your accounts perplexed, and your spirits so too; watch for his coming, that it may not at any time be a surprise to you, and pray for that grace which is necessary to qualify you for it, for ye know not when the time is; and you are concerned to be ready for that every day, which may come any day.' This he illustrates, in the close, by a parable.
    • 1. Our Master is gone away, and left us something in trust, in charge, which we must give account of, v. 34. He is as a man taking a far journey; for he is gone to be away a great while, he has left his house on earth, and left his servants in their offices, given authority to some, who are to be overseers, and work to others, who are to be labourers. They that have authority given them, in that had work assigned them, for those that have the greatest power have the most business; and to them to whom he gave work, he gave some sort of authority, to do that work. And when he took his last leave, he appointed the porter to watch, to be sure to be ready to open to him at his return; and in the mean time to take care to whom he opened his gates, not to thieves and robbers, but only to his Master's friends and servants. Thus our Lord Jesus, when he ascended on high, left something for all his servants to do, expecting they should all do him service in his absence, and be ready to receive him at his return. All are appointed to work, and some authorized to rule.
    • 2. We ought to be always upon our watch, in expectation of his return, v. 35-37.
      • (1.) Our Lord will come, and will come as the Master of the house, to take account of his servants, of their work, and of the improvement they have made.
      • (2.) We know not when he will come; and he has very wisely kept us at uncertainty, that we might all be always ready. We know not when he will come, just at what precise time; the Master of the house perhaps will come at even, at nine at night; or it may be at midnight, or a cock-crowing, at three in the morning, or perhaps not until six. This is applicable to his coming to us in particular, at our death, as well as to the general judgment. Our present life is a night, a dark night, compared with the other life; we know not in which watch of the night our Master will come, whether in the days of youth, or middle age, or old age; but, as soon as we are born, we begin to die, and therefore, as soon as we are capable of expecting any thing, we must expect death.
      • (3.) Our great care must be, that, whenever our Lord comes, he do not find us sleeping, secure in ourselves, off our guard, indulging ourselves in ease and sloth, mindless of our work and duty, and thoughtless of our Lord's coming; ready to say, He will not come, and unready to meet him.
      • (4.) His coming will indeed be coming suddenly; it will be a great surprise and terror to those that are careless, and asleep, it will come upon them as a thief in the night.
      • (5.) It is therefore the indispensable duty of all Christ's disciples, to watch, to be awake, and keep awake; "What I say unto you four (v. 37), I say unto all the twelve, or rather to you twelve, I say unto all my disciples and followers; what I say to you of this generation, I say to all that shall believe in men, through your word, in every age, Watch, watch, expect my second coming, prepare for it, that you may be found in peace, without spot, and blameless.'