Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Mark » Chapter 13 » Verse 9

Mark 13:9 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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

Cross Reference

Matthew 10:17-18 STRONG

But G1161 beware G4337 of G575 men: G444 for G1063 they will deliver G3860 you G5209 up G3860 to G1519 the councils, G4892 and G2532 they will scourge G3146 you G5209 in G1722 their G846 synagogues; G4864 And G2532 ye shall be brought G71 before G1909 governors G2232 and G2532 G1161 kings G935 for my G1752 sake, G1700 for G1519 a testimony G3142 against them G846 and G2532 the Gentiles. G1484

Acts 21:31-40 STRONG

And G1161 as they went about G2212 to kill G615 him, G846 tidings G5334 came G305 unto the chief captain G5506 of the band, G4686 that G3754 all G3650 Jerusalem G2419 was in an uproar. G4797 Who G3739 immediately G1824 took G3880 soldiers G4757 and G2532 centurions, G1543 and ran down G2701 unto G1909 them: G846 and G1161 when they saw G1492 the chief captain G5506 and G2532 the soldiers, G4757 they left G3973 beating G5180 of Paul. G3972 Then G5119 the chief captain G5506 came near, G1448 and took G1949 him, G846 and G2532 commanded G2753 him to be bound with G1210 two G1417 chains; G254 and G2532 demanded G4441 who G5101 he was, G302 G1498 and G2532 what G5101 he had G2076 done. G4160 And G1161 some G243 cried G994 one thing, G5100 some another, G243 among G1722 the multitude: G3793 and G1161 when he could G1410 not G3361 know G1097 the certainty G804 for G1223 the tumult, G2351 he commanded G2753 him G846 to be carried G71 into G1519 the castle. G3925 And G1161 when G3753 he came G1096 upon G1909 the stairs, G304 so it was, G4819 that he was borne G941 of G5259 the soldiers G4757 for G1223 the violence G970 of the people. G3793 For G1063 the multitude G4128 of the people G2992 followed after, G190 crying, G2896 Away G142 with him. G846 And G5037 as Paul G3972 was to be G3195 led G1521 into G1519 the castle, G3925 he said G3004 unto the chief captain, G5506 May G1487 G1832 I G3427 speak G2036 G5100 unto G4314 thee? G4571 G1161 Who G3588 said, G5346 Canst thou speak G1097 Greek? G1676 Art G1488 not G3756 thou G4771 G686 that Egyptian, G124 which before G4253 these G5130 days G2250 madest an uproar, G387 and G2532 leddest out G1806 into G1519 the wilderness G2048 four thousand G5070 men G435 that were murderers? G4607 But G1161 Paul G3972 said, G2036 I G1473 am G1510 G3303 a man G444 which am a Jew G2453 of Tarsus, G5018 a city in Cilicia, G2791 a citizen G4177 of no G3756 mean G767 city: G4172 and, G1161 I beseech G1189 thee, G4675 suffer G2010 me G3427 to speak G2980 unto G4314 the people. G2992 And G1161 when he had given G2010 him G846 licence, G2010 Paul G3972 stood G2476 on G1909 the stairs, G304 and beckoned G2678 with the hand G5495 unto the people. G2992 And G1161 when there was made G1096 a great G4183 silence, G4602 he spake G4377 unto them in the Hebrew G1446 tongue, G1258 saying, G3004

Acts 22:19-20 STRONG

And I G2504 said, G2036 Lord, G2962 they G846 know G1987 that G3754 I G1473 imprisoned G2252 G5439 and G2532 beat G1194 in every G2596 synagogue G4864 them that believed G4100 on G1909 thee: G4571 And G2532 when G3753 the blood G129 of thy G4675 martyr G3144 Stephen G4736 was shed, G1632 I G846 also G2532 was G2252 standing by, G2186 and G2532 consenting G4909 unto his G846 death, G336 and G2532 kept G5442 the raiment G2440 of them that slew G337 him. G846

Acts 23:1-2 STRONG

And G1161 Paul, G3972 earnestly beholding G816 the council, G4892 said, G2036 Men G435 and brethren, G80 I G1473 have lived G4176 in all G3956 good G18 conscience G4893 before God G2316 until G891 this G5026 day. G2250 And G1161 the high priest G749 Ananias G367 commanded G2004 them that stood by G3936 him G846 to smite G5180 him G846 on the mouth. G4750

Acts 24:1-9 STRONG

And G1161 after G3326 five G4002 days G2250 Ananias G367 the high priest G749 descended G2597 with G3326 the elders, G4245 and G2532 with a certain G5100 orator G4489 named Tertullus, G5061 who G3748 informed G1718 the governor G2232 against G2596 Paul. G3972 And G1161 when he G846 was called forth, G2564 Tertullus G5061 began G756 to accuse G2723 him, saying, G3004 Seeing that by G1223 thee G4675 we enjoy G5177 great G4183 quietness, G1515 and G2532 that very worthy deeds G2735 are done G1096 unto this G5129 nation G1484 by G1223 thy G4674 providence, G4307 G5037 We accept G588 it always, G3839 and G2532 in all places, G3837 most noble G2903 Felix, G5344 with G3326 all G3956 thankfulness. G2169 Notwithstanding, G1161 that G3363 I be G4119 not G3363 G1909 further G4119 tedious G1465 unto thee, G4571 I pray G3870 thee G4571 that thou wouldest hear G191 us G2257 of thy G4674 clemency G1932 a few words. G4935 For G1063 we have found G2147 this G5126 man G435 a pestilent G3061 fellow, and G2532 a mover G2795 of sedition G4714 among all G3956 the Jews G2453 throughout G2596 the world, G3625 and G5037 a ringleader G4414 of the sect G139 of the Nazarenes: G3480 Who G3739 also G2532 hath gone about G3985 to profane G953 the temple: G2411 G2532 whom G3739 we took, G2902 and G2532 would G2309 have judged G2919 according G2596 to our G2251 law. G3551 But G1161 the chief captain G5506 Lysias G3079 came G3928 upon us, and with G3326 great G4183 violence G970 took him away G520 out of G1537 our G2257 hands, G5495 Commanding G2753 his G846 accusers G2725 to come G2064 unto G1909 thee: G4571 by examining G350 of G3844 whom G3739 thyself G846 mayest G1410 take knowledge G1921 of G4012 all G3956 these things, G5130 whereof G3739 we G2249 accuse G2723 him. G846 And G1161 the Jews G2453 also G2532 assented, G4934 saying G5335 that these things G5023 were G2192 so. G3779

Acts 25:1-26 STRONG

Now G3767 when Festus G5347 was come G1910 into the province, G1885 after G3326 three G5140 days G2250 he ascended G305 from G575 Caesarea G2542 to G1519 Jerusalem. G2414 Then G1161 the high priest G749 and G2532 the chief G4413 of the Jews G2453 informed G1718 him G846 against G2596 Paul, G3972 and G2532 besought G3870 him, G846 And desired G154 favour G5485 against G2596 him, G846 that G3704 he would send for G3343 him G846 to G1519 Jerusalem, G2419 laying G4160 wait G1747 in G2596 the way G3598 to kill G337 him. G846 But G3303 G3767 Festus G5347 answered, G611 that Paul G3972 should be kept G5083 at G1722 Caesarea, G2542 and G1161 that he himself G1438 would G3195 depart G1607 G1722 shortly G5034 thither. Let them therefore, G3767 said G5346 he, which among G1722 you G5213 are able, G1415 go down with G4782 me, and accuse G2723 this G846 man, G435 if G1536 there be G2076 any wickedness G1536 in G1722 him. G5129 And G1161 when he had tarried G1304 among G1722 them G846 more G4119 than G2228 ten G1176 days, G2250 he went down G2597 unto G1519 Caesarea; G2542 and the next day G1887 sitting G2523 on G1909 the judgment seat G968 commanded G2753 Paul G3972 to be brought. G71 And G1161 when he G846 was come, G3854 the Jews G2453 which came down G2597 from G575 Jerusalem G2414 stood round about, G4026 and G2532 laid G5342 many G4183 and grievous G926 complaints G157 against G2596 Paul, G3972 which G3739 they could G2480 not G3756 prove. G584 While he answered G626 for himself, G846 Neither G3754 G3777 against G1519 the law G3551 of the Jews, G2453 neither G3777 against G1519 the temple, G2411 nor yet G3777 against G1519 Caesar, G2541 have I offended G264 any thing at all. G5100 But G1161 Festus, G5347 willing G2309 to do G2698 the Jews G2453 a pleasure, G5485 answered G611 Paul, G3972 and said, G2036 Wilt thou G2309 go up G305 to G1519 Jerusalem, G2414 and there G1563 be judged G2919 of G4012 these things G5130 before G1909 me? G1700 Then G1161 said G2036 Paul, G3972 I stand G1510 G2476 at G1909 Caesar's G2541 judgment seat, G968 where G3757 I G3165 ought G1163 to be judged: G2919 to the Jews G2453 have I done G91 no G3762 wrong, G91 as G5613 G2532 thou G4771 very well G2566 knowest. G1921 For G1063 if G1487 G3303 I be an offender, G91 or G2532 have committed G4238 any thing G5100 worthy G514 of death, G2288 I refuse G3868 not G3756 to die: G599 but G1161 if G1487 there be G2076 none G3762 of these things G3739 whereof these G3778 accuse G2723 me, G3450 no man G3762 may G1410 deliver G5483 me G3165 unto them. G846 I appeal unto G1941 Caesar. G2541 Then G5119 Festus, G5347 when he had conferred G4814 with G3326 the council, G4824 answered, G611 Hast thou appealed unto G1941 Caesar? G2541 unto G1909 Caesar G2541 shalt thou go. G4198 And G1161 after G1230 certain G5100 days G2250 king G935 Agrippa G67 and G2532 Bernice G959 came G2658 unto G1519 Caesarea G2542 to salute G782 Festus. G5347 And G1161 when G5613 they had been G1304 there G1563 many G4119 days, G2250 Festus G5347 declared G394 Paul's G3972 cause G2596 unto the king, G935 saying, G3004 There is G2076 a certain G5100 man G435 left G2641 in bonds G1198 by G5259 Felix: G5344 About G4012 whom, G3739 when G1096 I G3450 was G1096 at G1519 Jerusalem, G2414 the chief priests G749 and G2532 the elders G4245 of the Jews G2453 informed G1718 me, desiring G154 to have judgment G1349 against G2596 him. G846 To G4314 whom G3739 I answered, G611 G3754 It is G2076 not G3756 the manner G1485 of the Romans G4514 to deliver G5483 any G5100 man G444 to G1519 die, G684 before G4250 that G2228 he which is accused G2723 have G2192 the accusers G2725 face to face, G2596 G4383 G5037 and have G2983 licence G5117 to answer for himself G627 concerning G4012 the crime laid against him. G1462 Therefore, G3767 when they G846 were come G4905 hither, G1759 without G4160 any G3367 delay G311 on the morrow G1836 I sat G2523 on G1909 the judgment seat, G968 and commanded G2753 the man G435 to be brought forth. G71 Against G4012 whom G3739 when the accusers G2725 stood up, G2476 they brought G2018 none G3762 accusation G156 of such things as G3739 I G1473 supposed: G5282 But G1161 had G2192 certain G5100 questions G2213 against G4314 him G846 of G4012 their own G2398 superstition, G1175 and G2532 of G4012 one G5100 Jesus, G2424 which was dead, G2348 whom G3739 Paul G3972 affirmed G5335 to be alive. G2198 And G1161 because I G1473 doubted G639 of G1519 such G5127 manner G4012 of questions, G2214 I asked G3004 him whether G1487 he would G1014 go G4198 to G1519 Jerusalem, G2419 and there G2546 be judged G2919 of G4012 these matters. G5130 But G1161 when Paul G3972 had appealed G1941 to be reserved G5083 G846 unto G1519 the hearing G1233 of Augustus, G4575 I commanded G2753 him G846 to be kept G5083 till G2193 G3757 I might send G3992 him G846 to G4314 Caesar. G2541 Then G1161 Agrippa G67 said G5346 unto G4314 Festus, G5347 I would G1014 also G2532 hear G191 the man G444 myself. G846 To morrow, G839 G1161 said G5346 he, thou shalt hear G191 him. G846 And on the morrow, G1887 when G3767 Agrippa G67 was come, G2064 and G2532 Bernice, G959 with G3326 great G4183 pomp, G5325 and G2532 was entered G1525 into G1519 the place of hearing, G201 with G4862 G5037 the chief captains, G5506 and G2532 principal G2596 G1851 men G435 of G5607 the city, G4172 at G2532 Festus' G5347 commandment G2753 Paul G3972 was brought forth. G71 And G2532 Festus G5347 said, G5346 King G935 Agrippa, G67 and G2532 all G3956 men G435 which G3588 are here present G4840 with us, G2254 ye see G2334 this man, G5126 about G4012 whom G3739 all G3956 the multitude G4128 of the Jews G2453 have dealt G1793 with me, G3427 both G5037 at G1722 Jerusalem, G2414 and G2532 also here, G1759 crying G1916 that he ought G1163 not G3361 to live G2198 any longer. G3371 But G1161 when I G1473 found G2638 that he G846 had committed G4238 nothing G3367 worthy G514 of death, G2288 and G2532 G1161 that he himself G846 hath appealed G5127 to G1941 Augustus, G4575 I have determined G2919 to send G3992 him. G846 Of G4012 whom G3739 I have G2192 no G3756 certain G804 thing G5100 to write G1125 unto my lord. G2962 Wherefore G1352 I have brought G4254 him G846 forth G4254 before G1909 you, G5216 and G2532 specially G3122 before G1909 thee, G4675 O king G935 Agrippa, G67 that, G3704 after examination G351 had, G1096 I might have G2192 somewhat G5100 to write. G1125

1 Corinthians 4:9-13 STRONG

For G1063 I think G1380 that G3754 God G2316 hath set forth G584 us G2248 the apostles G652 last, G2078 as G5613 it were appointed to death: G1935 for G3754 we are made G1096 a spectacle G2302 unto the world, G2889 and G2532 to angels, G32 and G2532 to men. G444 We G2249 are fools G3474 for G1223 Christ's G5547 sake, G1223 but G1161 ye G5210 are wise G5429 in G1722 Christ; G5547 we G2249 are weak, G772 but G1161 ye G5210 are strong; G2478 ye G5210 are honourable, G1741 but G1161 we G2249 are despised. G820 Even G891 unto this present G737 hour G5610 we G3983 both G2532 hunger, G3983 and G2532 thirst, G1372 and G2532 are naked, G1130 and G2532 are buffeted, G2852 and G2532 have no certain dwellingplace; G790 And G2532 labour, G2872 working G2038 with our own G2398 hands: G5495 being reviled, G3058 we bless; G2127 being persecuted, G1377 we suffer it: G430 Being defamed, G987 we intreat: G3870 we are made G1096 as G5613 the filth G4027 of the world, G2889 and are the offscouring G4067 of all things G3956 unto G2193 this day. G737

2 Corinthians 11:23-27 STRONG

Are they G1526 ministers G1249 of Christ? G5547 (I speak G2980 as a fool G3912 ) I G1473 am more; G5228 in G1722 labours G2873 more abundant, G4056 in G1722 stripes G4127 above measure, G5234 in G1722 prisons G5438 more frequent, G4056 in G1722 deaths G2288 oft. G4178 Of G5259 the Jews G2453 five times G3999 received I G2983 forty G5062 stripes save G3844 one. G3391 Thrice G5151 was I beaten with rods, G4463 once G530 was I stoned, G3034 thrice G5151 I suffered shipwreck, G3489 a night and a day G3574 I have been G4160 in G1722 the deep; G1037 In journeyings G3597 often, G4178 in perils G2794 of waters, G4215 in perils G2794 of robbers, G3027 in perils G2794 by G1537 mine own countrymen, G1085 in perils G2794 by G1537 the heathen, G1484 in perils G2794 in G1722 the city, G4172 in perils G2794 in G1722 the wilderness, G2047 in perils G2794 in G1722 the sea, G2281 in perils G2794 among G1722 false brethren; G5569 In G1722 weariness G2873 and G2532 painfulness, G3449 in G1722 watchings G70 often, G4178 in G1722 hunger G3042 and G2532 thirst, G1373 in G1722 fastings G3521 often, G4178 in G1722 cold G5592 and G2532 nakedness. G1132

Revelation 6:9-11 STRONG

And G2532 when G3753 he had opened G455 the fifth G3991 seal, G4973 I saw G1492 under G5270 the altar G2379 the souls G5590 of them that were slain G4969 for G1223 the word G3056 of God, G2316 and G2532 for G1223 the testimony G3141 which G3739 they held: G2192 And G2532 they cried G2896 with a loud G3173 voice, G5456 saying, G3004 How G2193 long, G4219 O Lord, G1203 holy G40 and G2532 true, G228 dost thou G2919 not G3756 judge G2919 and G2532 avenge G1556 our G2257 blood G129 on G575 them that dwell G2730 on G1909 the earth? G1093 And G2532 white G3022 robes G4749 were given G1325 unto every one of them; G1538 and G2532 it was said G4483 unto them, G846 that G2443 they should rest G373 yet G2089 for a little G3398 season, G5550 until G2193 their G846 fellowservants G4889 also G2532 and G2532 their G846 brethren, G80 that should G3195 be killed G615 as G5613 G2532 they G846 were, should G3739 be fulfilled. G4137

Matthew 23:34-37 STRONG

Wherefore, G1223 G5124 behold, G2400 I G1473 send G649 unto G4314 you G5209 prophets, G4396 and G2532 wise men, G4680 and G2532 scribes: G1122 and G2532 some of G1537 them G846 ye shall kill G615 and G2532 crucify; G4717 and G2532 some of G1537 them G846 shall ye scourge G3146 in G1722 your G5216 synagogues, G4864 and G2532 persecute G1377 them from G575 city G4172 to G1519 city: G4172 That G3704 upon G1909 you G5209 may come G2064 all G3956 the righteous G1342 blood G129 shed G1632 upon G1909 the earth, G1093 from G575 the blood G129 of righteous G1342 Abel G6 unto G2193 the blood G129 of Zacharias G2197 son G5207 of Barachias, G914 whom G3739 ye slew G5407 between G3342 the temple G3485 and G2532 the altar. G2379 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 All G3956 these things G5023 shall come G2240 upon G1909 this G5026 generation. G1074 O Jerusalem, G2419 Jerusalem, G2419 thou that killest G615 the prophets, G4396 and G2532 stonest G3036 them which are sent G649 unto G4314 thee, G846 how often G4212 would I G2309 have gathered G1996 thy G4675 G3739 children G5043 together, G1996 even as G5158 a hen G3733 gathereth G1996 her G1438 chickens G3556 under G5259 her wings, G4420 and G2532 ye would G2309 not! G3756

Acts 16:20-24 STRONG

And G2532 brought G4317 them G846 to the magistrates, G4755 saying, G2036 These G3778 men, G444 being G5225 Jews, G2453 do exceedingly trouble G1613 our G2257 city, G4172 And G2532 teach G2605 customs, G1485 which G3739 are G1832 not G3756 lawful G1832 for us G2254 to receive, G3858 neither G3761 to observe, G4160 being G5607 Romans. G4514 And G2532 the multitude G3793 rose up together G4911 against G2596 them: G846 and G2532 the magistrates G4755 rent off G4048 their G846 clothes, G2440 and commanded G2753 to beat G4463 them. And G5037 when they had laid G2007 many G4183 stripes G4127 upon them, G846 they cast G906 them into G1519 prison, G5438 charging G3853 the jailor G1200 to keep G5083 them G846 safely: G806 Who, G3739 having received G2983 such G5108 a charge, G3852 thrust G906 them G846 into G1519 the inner G2082 prison, G5438 and G2532 made G805 their G846 feet G4228 fast G805 in G1519 the stocks. G3586

Acts 12:1-3 STRONG

Now G1161 about G2596 that G1565 time G2540 Herod G2264 the king G935 stretched forth G1911 his hands G5495 to vex G2559 certain G5100 of G575 the church. G1577 And G1161 he killed G337 James G2385 the brother G80 of John G2491 with the sword. G3162 And G2532 because he saw G1492 it G3754 pleased G2076 G701 the Jews, G2453 he proceeded further G4369 to take G4815 Peter G4074 also. G2532 (Then G1161 were G2258 the days G2250 of unleavened bread.) G106

Acts 9:13-14 STRONG

Then G1161 Ananias G367 answered, G611 Lord, G2962 I have heard G191 by G575 many G4183 of G4012 this G5127 man, G435 how much G3745 evil G2556 he hath done G4160 to thy G4675 saints G40 at G1722 Jerusalem: G2419 And G2532 here G5602 he hath G2192 authority G1849 from G3844 the chief priests G749 to bind G1210 all G3956 that call G1941 on thy G4675 name. G3686

Acts 9:1-2 STRONG

And G1161 Saul, G4569 yet G2089 breathing out G1709 threatenings G547 and G2532 slaughter G5408 against G1519 the disciples G3101 of the Lord, G2962 went G4334 unto the high priest, G749 And desired G154 of G3844 him G846 letters G1992 to G1519 Damascus G1154 to G4314 the synagogues, G4864 that G3704 if G1437 he found G2147 any G5100 of this way, G3598 whether G5037 they were G5607 men G435 or G2532 women, G1135 he might bring them G71 bound G1210 unto G1519 Jerusalem. G2419

Acts 6:11-15 STRONG

Then G5119 they suborned G5260 men, G435 which said, G3004 G3754 We have heard G191 him G846 speak G2980 blasphemous G989 words G4487 against G1519 Moses, G3475 and G2532 against God. G2316 And G5037 they stirred up G4787 the people, G2992 and G2532 the elders, G4245 and G2532 the scribes, G1122 and G2532 came upon G2186 him, and caught G4884 him, G846 and G2532 brought G71 him to G1519 the council, G4892 And G5037 set up G2476 false G5571 witnesses, G3144 which said, G3004 This G5127 man G444 ceaseth G3973 not G3756 to speak G2980 blasphemous G989 words G4487 against G2596 this G3778 holy G40 place, G5117 and G2532 the law: G3551 For G1063 we have heard G191 him G846 say, G3004 that G3754 this G5126 Jesus G2424 of Nazareth G3480 shall destroy G2647 this G3778 place, G5117 and G2532 shall change G236 the customs G1485 which G3739 Moses G3475 delivered G3860 us. G2254 And G2532 all G537 that sat G2516 in G1722 the council, G4892 looking stedfastly G816 on G1519 him, G846 saw G1492 his G846 face G4383 as it had been G5616 the face G4383 of an angel. G32

Acts 5:17-40 STRONG

Then G1161 the high priest G749 rose up, G450 and G2532 all they G3956 that were with G4862 him, G846 (which G3588 is G5607 the sect G139 of the Sadducees,) G4523 and were filled G4130 with indignation, G2205 And G2532 laid G1911 their G846 hands G5495 on G1909 the apostles, G652 and G2532 put G5087 them G846 in G1722 the common G1219 prison. G5084 But G1161 the angel G32 of the Lord G2962 by G1223 night G3571 opened G455 the prison G5438 doors, G2374 and G5037 brought G1806 them G846 forth, G1806 and said, G2036 Go, G4198 stand G2476 and G2532 speak G2980 in G1722 the temple G2411 to the people G2992 all G3956 the words G4487 of this G5026 life. G2222 And G1161 when they heard G191 that, they entered G1525 into G1519 the temple G2411 early in the morning, G5259 G3722 and G2532 taught. G1321 But G1161 the high priest G749 came, G3854 and G2532 they that were with G4862 him, G846 and called G4779 the council G4892 together, G4779 and G2532 all G3956 the senate G1087 of the children G5207 of Israel, G2474 and G2532 sent G649 to G1519 the prison G1201 to have G71 them G846 brought. G71 But G1161 when the officers G5257 came, G3854 and found G2147 them G846 not G3756 in G1722 the prison, G5438 they returned, G390 and G1161 told, G518 Saying, G3004 G3754 The prison G1201 truly G3303 found we G2147 shut G2808 with G1722 all G3956 safety, G803 and G2532 the keepers G5441 standing G2476 without G1854 before G4253 the doors: G2374 but G1161 when we had opened, G455 we found G2147 no man G3762 within. G2080 Now G1161 when G5613 G5037 the high priest G2409 and G2532 the captain G4755 of the temple G2411 and G2532 the chief priests G749 heard G191 these G5128 things, G3056 they doubted G1280 of G4012 them G846 whereunto G5101 G302 this G5124 would grow. G1096 Then came G3854 one G5100 and G1161 told G518 them, G846 saying, G3004 G3754 Behold, G2400 the men G435 whom G3739 ye put G5087 in G1722 prison G5438 are G1526 standing G2476 in G1722 the temple, G2411 and G2532 teaching G1321 the people. G2992 Then G5119 went G565 the captain G4755 with G4862 the officers, G5257 and brought G71 them G846 without G3756 G3326 violence: G970 for G1063 they feared G5399 the people, G2992 lest G3363 they should have been stoned. G3034 And G1161 when they had brought G71 them, G846 they set G2476 them before G1722 the council: G4892 and G2532 the high priest G749 asked G1905 them, G846 Saying, G3004 Did G3853 not G3756 we straitly G3852 command G3853 you G5213 that ye should G1321 not G3361 teach G1321 in G1909 this G5129 name? G3686 and, G2532 behold, G2400 ye have filled G4137 Jerusalem G2419 with your G5216 doctrine, G1322 and G2532 intend G1014 to bring G1863 this G5127 man's G444 blood G129 upon G1909 us. G2248 Then G1161 Peter G4074 and G2532 the other apostles G652 answered G611 and said, G2036 We ought G1163 to obey G3980 God G2316 rather G3123 than G2228 men. G444 The God G2316 of our G2257 fathers G3962 raised up G1453 Jesus, G2424 whom G3739 ye G5210 slew G1315 and hanged G2910 on G1909 a tree. G3586 Him G5126 hath God G2316 exalted G5312 with his G846 right hand G1188 to be a Prince G747 and G2532 a Saviour, G4990 for to give G1325 repentance G3341 to Israel, G2474 and G2532 forgiveness G859 of sins. G266 And G2532 we G2249 are G2070 his G846 witnesses G3144 of these G5130 things; G4487 and G2532 so is also G1161 the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 whom G3739 God G2316 hath given G1325 to them that obey G3980 him. G846 When G1161 they heard G191 that, they were cut G1282 to the heart, and G2532 took counsel G1011 to slay G337 them. G846 Then G1161 stood there up G450 one G5100 in G1722 the council, G4892 a Pharisee, G5330 named G3686 Gamaliel, G1059 a doctor of the law, G3547 had in reputation G5093 among all G3956 the people, G2992 and commanded G2753 to put G4160 the apostles G652 forth G1854 a G5100 little space; G1024 And G5037 said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 Ye men G435 of Israel, G2475 take heed G4337 to yourselves G1438 what G5101 ye intend G3195 to do G4238 as touching G1909 these G5125 men. G444 For G1063 before G4253 these G5130 days G2250 rose up G450 Theudas, G2333 boasting G3004 himself G1438 to be G1511 somebody; G5100 to whom G3739 a number G706 of men, G435 about G5616 four hundred, G5071 joined themselves: G4347 who G3739 was slain; G337 and G2532 all, G3956 as many as G3745 obeyed G3982 him, G846 were scattered, G1262 and G2532 brought G1096 to G1519 nought. G3762 After G3326 this man G5126 rose up G450 Judas G2455 of Galilee G1057 in G1722 the days G2250 of the taxing, G582 and G2532 drew away G868 much G2425 people G2992 after G3694 him: G846 he also G2548 perished; G622 and G2532 all, G3956 even as many as G3745 obeyed G3982 him, G846 were dispersed. G1287 And G2532 now G3569 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Refrain G868 from G575 these G5130 men, G444 and G2532 let G1439 them G846 alone: G1439 for G3754 if G1437 this G3778 counsel G1012 or G2228 this G5124 work G2041 be G5600 of G1537 men, G444 it will come to nought: G2647 But G1161 if G1487 it be G2076 of G1537 God, G2316 ye cannot G3756 G1410 overthrow G2647 it; G846 lest haply G3379 ye be found G2147 even G2532 to fight against God. G2314 And G1161 to him G846 they agreed: G3982 and G2532 when they had called G4341 the apostles, G652 and beaten G1194 them, they commanded G3853 that they should G2980 not G3361 speak G2980 in G1909 the name G3686 of Jesus, G2424 and G2532 let G630 them G846 go. G630

Acts 4:1-21 STRONG

And G1161 as they G846 spake G2980 unto G4314 the people, G2992 the priests, G2409 and G2532 the captain G4755 of the temple, G2411 and G2532 the Sadducees, G4523 came upon G2186 them, G846 Being grieved G1278 that G1223 they G846 taught G1321 the people, G2992 and G2532 preached G2605 through G1722 Jesus G2424 the resurrection G386 from G1537 the dead. G3498 And G2532 they laid G1911 hands G5495 on them, G846 and G2532 put G5087 them in G1519 hold G5084 unto G1519 the next day: G839 for G1063 it was G2258 now G2235 eventide. G2073 Howbeit G1161 many G4183 of them which heard G191 the word G3056 believed; G4100 and G2532 the number G706 of the men G435 was G1096 about G5616 five G4002 thousand. G5505 And G1161 it came to pass G1096 on G1909 the morrow, G839 that their G846 rulers, G758 and G2532 elders, G4245 and G2532 scribes, G1122 And G2532 Annas G452 the high priest, G749 and G2532 Caiaphas, G2533 and G2532 John, G2491 and G2532 Alexander, G223 and G2532 as many as G3745 were G2258 of G1537 the kindred G1085 of the high priest, G748 were gathered together G4863 at G1519 Jerusalem. G2419 And G2532 when they had set G2476 them G846 in G1722 the midst, G3319 they asked, G4441 By G1722 what G4169 power, G1411 or G2228 by G1722 what G4169 name, G3686 have G4160 ye G5210 done G4160 this? G5124 Then G5119 Peter, G4074 filled G4130 with the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 Ye rulers G758 of the people, G2992 and G2532 elders G4245 of Israel, G2474 If G1487 we G2249 this day G4594 be examined G350 of G1909 the good deed done G2108 to the impotent G772 man, G444 by G1722 what means G5101 he G3778 is made whole; G4982 Be it G2077 known G1110 unto you G5213 all, G3956 and G2532 to all G3956 the people G2992 of Israel, G2474 that G3754 by G1722 the name G3686 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 of Nazareth, G3480 whom G3739 ye G5210 crucified, G4717 whom G3739 God G2316 raised G1453 from G1537 the dead, G3498 even by G1722 him G5129 doth G3936 this man G3778 stand here G3936 before G1799 you G5216 whole. G5199 This G3778 is G2076 the stone G3037 which G3588 was set at nought G1848 of G5259 you G5216 builders, G3618 which G3588 is become G1096 the head G2776 of G1519 the corner. G1137 Neither G2532 G3756 is there G2076 salvation G4991 in G1722 any G3762 other: G243 for G1063 there is G2076 none G3777 other G2087 name G3686 under G5259 heaven G3772 given G1325 among G1722 men, G444 whereby G1722 G3739 we G2248 must G1163 be saved. G4982 Now G1161 when they saw G2334 the boldness G3954 of Peter G4074 and G2532 John, G2491 and G2532 perceived G2638 that G3754 they were G1526 unlearned G62 and G2532 ignorant G2399 men, G444 they marvelled; G2296 and G5037 they took knowledge G1921 of them, G846 that G3754 they had been G2258 with G4862 Jesus. G2424 And G1161 beholding G991 the man G444 which was healed G2323 standing G2476 with G4862 them, G846 they could G2192 say G471 nothing G3762 against it. G471 But G1161 when they had commanded G2753 them G846 to go aside G565 out of G1854 the council, G4892 they conferred G4820 among G4314 themselves, G240 Saying, G3004 What G5101 shall we do G4160 to these G5125 men? G444 for G1063 that G3754 indeed G3303 a notable G1110 miracle G4592 hath been done G1096 by G1223 them G846 is manifest G5318 to all them G3956 that dwell G2730 in Jerusalem; G2419 and G2532 we cannot G3756 G1410 deny G720 it. But G235 that G3363 it spread G1268 no G3363 further G1909 G4119 among G1519 the people, G2992 let us straitly G547 threaten G546 them, G846 that they speak G2980 henceforth G3371 to no G3367 man G444 in G1909 this G5129 name. G3686 And G2532 they called G2564 them, G846 and commanded G3853 them G846 not G3361 to speak G5350 at all G2527 nor G3366 teach G1321 in G1909 the name G3686 of Jesus. G2424 But G1161 Peter G4074 and G2532 John G2491 answered G611 and said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 Whether G1487 it be G2076 right G1342 in the sight G1799 of God G2316 to hearken G191 unto you G5216 more than G3123 G2228 unto God, G2316 judge ye. G2919 For G1063 we G2249 cannot G3756 G1410 but G3361 speak G2980 the things which G3739 we have seen G1492 and G2532 heard. G191 So G1161 when they had further threatened them, G4324 they let G630 them G846 go, G630 finding G2147 nothing G3367 how G4459 they might punish G2849 them, G846 because G1223 of the people: G2992 for G3754 all G3956 men glorified G1392 God G2316 for G1909 that which was done. G1096

Luke 21:16-18 STRONG

And G1161 ye shall be betrayed G3860 both G2532 by G5259 parents, G1118 and G2532 brethren, G80 and G2532 kinsfolks, G4773 and G2532 friends; G5384 and G2532 some of G1537 you G5216 shall they cause to be put to death. G2289 And G2532 ye shall be G2071 hated G3404 of G5259 all G3956 men for G1223 my G3450 name's sake. G3686 But G2532 there shall not G3364 an hair G2359 of G1537 your G5216 head G2776 perish. G622

Matthew 24:9-10 STRONG

Then G5119 shall they deliver G3860 you G5209 up G3860 to G1519 be afflicted, G2347 and G2532 shall kill G615 you: G5209 and G2532 ye shall be G2071 hated G3404 of G5259 all G3956 nations G1484 for G1223 my G3450 name's sake. G3686 And G2532 then G5119 shall many G4183 be offended, G4624 and G2532 shall betray G3860 one another, G240 and G2532 shall hate G3404 one another. G240

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

Commentary on Mark 13 Matthew Henry Commentary


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.'