The Grace Commentary – Your free verse-by-verse Bible commentary Mark 13

Mark 13:1

As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!”

The temple was the grandest building in Israel. See entry for Matt. 24:1.

Mark 13:2

And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.”

Not one stone. Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple complex. See entry for Matt. 24:1.

Mark 13:3

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately,

(a) The Mount of Olives. Christ’s longest and most astonishing prophecy is known as the Olivet Discourse as it was uttered while he was conversing with his closest friends atop the Mount of Olives. The prophecy, which is recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, was given in response to their questions about the destruction of the temple.

(b) Peter. Simon Peter; see entry for Mark 3:16.

(d) John; see entry for Mark 1:19.

(e) Andrew, see entry for Mark 1:16.

Mark 13:4

“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?”

(a) These things are the things Jesus has just been discussing, namely the destruction of the temple complex (see Mark 13:2). In Matthew’s account, the disciples also ask about the end of the age and the sign of his coming (Matt. 24:2).

(b) When. The destruction of the temple (and Jerusalem) would be a catastrophic event heralding the end of Jewish civilization. The disciples naturally wanted to know when this would happen.

Mark 13:5–6

And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. “Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many.

“I am he.” See entry for Matt. 24:4–5.

Mark 13:7

“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.

(a) Wars. See entry for Matt. 24:6.

(b) Those things must take place. Wars have long been part of human existence.

Mark 13:8

“For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

(a) Nation. See entry for Luke 21:10.

(b) Earthquakes; see entry for Matt. 24:7.

(d) Birth pangs; see entry for Matt. 24:8.

Mark 13:9

“But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them.

(a) Be on your guard. Watch out. Jesus’ warning here is similar to one given in his “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves” speech in Matthew 10. “Be shrewd as serpents… and beware of men” (Matt. 10:16–17). Jesus told the disciples what would happen to them to prepare them. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

(b) Flogged in the synagogues. Jesus told the religious leaders that they would scourge and persecute those he sent (Matt. 23:34). Then he told his disciples that they would be scourged and persecuted.

Peter and the apostles were flogged for preaching about Jesus (Acts 5:40). So was Paul (2 Cor. 11:24).

(c) Governors and kings. Jesus told his disciples they would stand before governors and kings and they did. Peter was interrogated by the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:5), imprisoned by Herod (Acts 12:1–4), and crucified by Nero.

(d) As a testimony. Testimony means evidence or report. The apostles would give eye-witness accounts of the death and resurrection of Jesus to those in positions of power.

Mark 13:10

“The gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

(a) The gospel refers to the gospel of Christ or the gospel of God or the gospel of the kingdom. These are all different labels for the gospel of grace. See entry for The Gospel.

(b) Preached. We are instructed to do two things with the gospel; believe it and preach it (see entry for Mark 16:15).

For Jewish disciples raised under racist religion, this was a new and scandalous idea. But they obeyed and within a generation the gospel was ‘bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world’ (Col. 1:6). Obviously Paul was referring to the known world or the Roman world.

Mark 13:11

“When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.

(a) Do not worry. As they waited in holding cells or were strapped to scourging posts, they remembered the words of Jesus and were encouraged. When brought before the authorities, the Holy Spirit told them what to say, and their inspired speeches were recorded in the scriptures for our edification (e.g., Acts 4:8–13).

(b) Worry is the misuse of imagination. It is framing the future in fear instead of faith; see entry for Matt. 6:31.

Mark 13:12

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.

Some interpret Christ’s words as referring to Christians betraying brothers and sisters, but Jesus is describing the violence and betrayal that marked Judea’s civil war. He is talking about what will happen in the place he is sitting.

Within a generation Jerusalem was torn asunder by betrayal and factional infighting between three groups; the Zealots, the Herodians, and the Idumeans. The betrayal and backstabbing that took place among these groups was Shakespearean in complexity. It was Jew against Jew and brother against brother. Anger that might have been better focused on a common enemy fueled a civil war that was largely confined within the city’s impregnable walls.

Mark 13:13

“You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

The one who endures to the end, he will be saved. If they persecute you in one city, flee to the next
See entry for Matt. 10:22.

Mark 13:14

“But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.

(a) Abomination of desolation; see entry for Matt. 24:15.

(b) Those who are in Judea; see entry for Matt. 24:16.

Mark 13:15

“The one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house;

On the housetop; see entry for Matt. 24:17.

Mark 13:16

and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat.

In the field; see entry for Matt. 24:18.

Mark 13:17

“But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!

(a) Pregnant; see entry for Matt. 24:19.

(b) Nursing babies; see entry for Matt. 24:19.

Mark 13:18

“But pray that it may not happen in the winter.

Winter was not a good time to travel. The roads were muddy and rough, which is why the kings of old waited until spring before going to war (2 Samuel 11:1). Besides, Jesus said flee to the mountains where it would be miserably cold (Mark 13:14).

Mark 13:19

“For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will.

A time of tribulation; see entry for Matt. 24:21.

Mark 13:20

“Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

(a) Shortened days; see entry for Matt. 24:22.

(b) His elect. In the New Testament believers are referred to as the elect or chosen of God (see entry for 1 Peter 1:1).

Mark 13:21

“And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him;

Here is the Christ; see entry for Matt. 24:23.

Mark 13:22

for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.

(a) False Christs and false prophets; see entry for Matt. 24:24.

(b) The elect. Believers; see entry for 1 Peter 1:1.

Mark 13:23

“But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.

In other words, “Remember what I have told you and don’t be deceived or troubled when things turn out just as I have spoken.” Jesus’ detailed warnings in here and in Matthew 24 saved the lives of all who heeded him and fled.

Mark 13:24–25

“But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.

(a) The tribulation; see entry for Matt. 24:21.

(b) Sun, moon, stars; see entry for Matt. 24:29.

Mark 13:26

“Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory.

Coming in clouds; see entry for Matt.24:30.

Mark 13:27

“And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

(a) His angels; see entry for Matt.24:31.

(b) Gather together; see entry for Matt.24:31.

(d) The four winds are the four corners of the earth. “They will come from east and west and from north and south” (Luke 13:29).

Jesus wanted to gather the Jews, but they were not willing (Matthew 23:37). So now he will send his apostles to gather all who will be drawn, regardless of color or race.

Mark 13:28

“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.

(a) Parable. A parable is a story or, in this case, a word picture with a hidden or parabolic meaning. This parable of the Fig Tree should not be confused with the parable of the Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6–9).

(b) The fig tree. As the budding of the fig tree proves that summer is nigh, so shall the signs Jesus has given prove that the end is nigh, at least as far as Judea is concerned. The unfolding of historical events (wars, earthquakes, armies, then destruction), will be as inevitable as the unfolding of natural events.

Further reading: “The Grace Bible: The Parables of Jesus” – coming soon!

Mark 13:29

“Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door.

(a) When you see. Jesus’ warnings about the destruction of Jerusalem were for the Judeans generally and the disciples specifically.

(b) These things are the things Jesus has been discussing; the rise of false prophets (Matt. 24:11), increasing lawlessness and anarchy (Matt. 24:12), the gospel being preached everywhere (Matt. 24:14). “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, recognize that her desolation is near” (Luke 21:20).

Mark 13:30

“Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

(a) Truly. Listen up and pay attention. Your lives depend on you heeding what I say. “Take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance” (Mark 13:23).

(b) This generation; see entry for Matt.24:34.

Mark 13:31

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

(a) Heaven and earth; see entry for Matt.24:35.

(b) My words or my promises. The new covenant, in other words. See entry for Matt.24:35.

Mark 13:32

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

(a) But of that day. The end of the age and the return of the Son of Man.

The disciples wanted to know when the temple would fall and when Christ would return (Matt. 24:3). Jesus has just finished answering their first question (within a generation) and now answers their second (no one knows). The first event was predictable – Jesus gave them 40 signposts – but the second is a mystery. The former could be anticipated, but the latter will come like a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2).

(b) No one knows when Jesus will return except God the Father.

There are more than 90 scriptures in the New Testament pertaining to the Lord’s final coming, but none of them answers the question of when. God shares many things with his children, but the timing of Christ’s return is not one of them. In his wisdom our heavenly Father has determined that we do not need to know.

Further reading: “When is the Second Coming?”

Mark 13:33

“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.

(a) Take heed. Pay attention.

(b) Alert; see entry for Mark 13:37.

(c) You do not know. Those who claim to know when Christ will return are presuming to know more than Jesus (see previous verse).

(d) The appointed time of the Lord’s return. When the disciples pressed Jesus for more information about his return and the restoration of Israel, Jesus replied: “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by his own authority” (Acts 1:7).

Mark 13:34

“It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert.

(a) It is like. Jesus is on the Mount of Olives telling four of his disciples about his return to heaven and eventual return to earth (Mark 13:3). To illustrate what his physical absence will be like for them, he tells the Parable of the Doorkeeper.

(b) A man away on a journey. Jesus is the man about to go on a journey (to heaven) who leaves his house (his church) in the care of his slaves (those who belong to him). The Parable of the Doorkeeper, sometimes called the Watchful Doorkeeper, consists of one verse and is followed by three verses of application. It is similar to the Parable of the Waiting Slaves, which Jesus told to the crowds (Luke 12:35–38).

(c) Putting his slaves in charge. The theme of a man going on a journey and leaving his slaves in charge appears in five of Jesus’ parables: the Doorkeeper (Mark 13:34), the Waiting Slaves (Luke 12:35–38), the Faithful Steward (Matt. 24:45–51, Luke 12:42–46), the Talents (Matt. 25:14–30), and the Minas (Luke 19:12–27).

(d) Slaves. The original noun doulos describes someone who belongs to a master. When Paul introduces himself at the start of his letters as a bondslave or doulos of Christ Jesus, he means, “I belong to the Lord.” He does not mean that he works like a slave or that he fears his master’s beatings. The slaves in Jesus’ parables had a variety of occupations. They included field hands (Matt. 13:27), agricultural agents (Matt. 21:34), heralds (Matt. 22:3), security staff (Luke 12:36–37), shepherds (Luke 17:7), cooks (Luke 17:8), business partners (Matt. 25:14), estate managers (Mark 13:34), investors (Luke 19:13), and government officials in the service of a king (Matt. 18:23). See entry for Matt. 18:23.

(e) Slaves in charge. If Jesus is the master who has gone away, the slaves represent believers who have been given the authority to rule and reign here and now (Luke 10:19, Rom. 5:17). We are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20), his new covenant ministers (2 Cor. 3:6), and the stewards of his grace (1 Pet. 4:10).

(f) The doorkeeper is singled out for special mention. In Middle Eastern cultures, it was the doorkeeper’s job to stay awake through the night and open the door or gate as needed.

(g) Alert. The Greek verb grēgoreō means “to be awake.” It is the opposite of being asleep (verse 36).

Mark 13:35

“Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—

(a) Be on the alert. Don’t be asleep when the Lord returns (see next verse).

(b) You do not know. For the third time in four verses, Jesus emphasizes that nobody knows when he will return (Mark 13:32, 33, 35).

(c) Evening, midnight, rooster, morning. These four times correspond roughly to the four Roman watches of the night, beginning at sunset and ending at sunrise.

Mark 13:36

in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep.

(a) Suddenly. Jesus’ return will be as sudden and dramatic as a thief breaking into a house. “I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you” (Rev. 3:3). See entry for Matt. 24:43).

(b) Find you asleep. Those who are slumbering in the stupor of sin need to wake up and turn to God before it is too late.

Jesus is not speaking about weary or lethargic Christians. He is referring to those who remain dead in their sins and need to “awake and arise from the dead” (Eph. 5:14). The danger is not that believers will be caught napping, but that unbelievers will be unprepared. As Paul explains, this warning is for those who remain in darkness, not for the sons of the day: “Let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober” (1 Thess. 5:6).

Mark 13:37

“What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’”

(a) All. Jesus’ message is for everyone. We all need to be ready for his final and glorious return.

(b) Be on the alert! For the fourth time in five verses, Jesus urges us to be ready for his return. It’s not a threat but an invitation to look forward to the consummate event of history. When Christ returns in glory, it will be a time of joy and celebration. All wrongs will be put right, all hurts healed, and all things made new (Rev. 21:5).

Few instructions in Scripture are clearer than the Lord’s call to be ready and alert for his return (Matt. 24:42–44, 25:13, Mark 13:33–35, 37, Luke 12:40, 21:36). Some translations say “keep watch,” but this can be misleading. Since we don’t know when the Lord will return, what are we supposed to watch for? Watching for Jesus is like staring at an airport arrivals board when you don’t know the flight you’re waiting for. When the disciples asked about a timeline for the second coming, Jesus said, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by his own authority” (Acts 1:7). The only thing he tells us to watch for is the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matt. 16:6).

The repeated warnings to “be alert” are not for believers who are already dressed in readiness and waiting for their master. They are for the unprepared—the undressed unbelievers who have not put on Christ, and the spiritually asleep who are not ready for his return. Those who are unready will be like the homeowner surprised by the thief in the night (Luke 12:39) or like those swept away in the flood in Noah’s day (Matt. 24:37–39).

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Mark 13