Gospel of Mark Chapter Thirteen

13:1 Later as he left the Temple one of his disciples said to him, “Master, what kind of stones and buildings are these?”
13:2 Then Jesus answered him, saying, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will remain upon another that has not been torn down.”
13:3 As he sat down at the Mount of Olives near the Temple, Peter, James and John asked him privately:
13:4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign indicating when all these things will take place?”
13:5 Then Jesus replied, “Make sure that no one misleads you.
13:6 Because many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he’ and will deceive many.
13:7 When you will hear of wars and rumors about war don’t be alarmed, for these things must occur, but this is not the end.
13:8 Because nations rise against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms – and there are earthquakes in various locations; and famines and disturbances – but these begin with the pain of childbirth.
13:9 But be careful, because they will deliver you up to the councils and in the synagogues you will be beaten, and you will be brought before governors and kings on my account to testify to them.
13:10 And the Teachings must first be preached before all peoples.
13:11 But they will capture you and arrest you. Don’t think about what you will say beforehand – nor should you plan: But whatever will be given to you at that time you will speak – because it is not you that speaks, but the Holy Spirit.
13:12 Now brother will condemn brother to die – and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents – having them put to death.
13:13 And you will be hated by everyone on account of me. But he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
13:14 But when you see the detestable things of desolation1 become established where they shouldn’t, those who recognize this should understand that those in Judea should flee to the mountains.
13:15 And those on the housetops should not go into the house – even to go in to take anything out of the house;
13:16 And those in the fields should not return again to fetch their coats.
13:17 How dreadful for those who are pregnant and for those who are nursing a baby at that time.
13:18 And pray this won’t occur during the wintertime.
13:19 Because affliction will occur at that time – a kind that doesn’t happen often – from the beginning of God’s creation until now and afterward.
13:20 Had the LORD not shortened this time, no life could be saved; but on account of those who are chosen – whom He has chosen – He shortens the time.
13:21 During that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Anointed of God [Messiah, Christ]’ or ‘Look, he is there’ don’t believe them.
13:22 Because false messiahs and false prophets will appear and show signs and miracles in order to lead others astray – even possibly the chosen.
13:23 Yet be careful. Look, I have told you everything in advance.
13:24 But at that time, after the affliction, the sun will darken and the moon will not shed any light.2
13:25 The stars will seem to fall from the sky and the powers in the heavens will appear shaken.
13:26 Then they will see the Servant of Humanity appear in the spiritual realm with great power and glory.
13:27 And then God will send3 forth His angels and will gather His chosen from the four directions – from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of the universe.
13:28 Now learn the analogy of the fig tree: When its limbs have become tender and put forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.
13:29 In the same way, when you see these things occurring, recognize that He is close by – right at the doorway.
13:30 Truly I tell you that this generation will not pass away until all of these things happen.4
13:31 The sky and the earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.5
13:32 But regarding that day or hour – no one knows, not even the angels from the spiritual realm6 – nor the Servant, but only the Creator alone.
13:33 Be careful – be on guard – because you do not know when the designated time will arrive.
13:34 It is like a man who travels away on a journey who leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, assigning to each his particular task, and instructs the guard to keep watch at the door.
13:35 Therefore, be vigilant because you don’t know when the master of the house will return – whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows or in the morning –
13:35 in the event that he comes suddenly and finds you asleep.
13:36 What I say to you I say to everyone – keep watch!"

Footnotes:

1. Verse 13:14. Later ecclesiastical manuscripts added the phrase, “spoken of by Daniel the prophet.” This obviously was not part of Jesus’ original statement.

2. Verse 13:24. Jesus describes the moment of time when the spirit-person or soul rises from the physical body at the time of death – when the physical world disappears from view. “After the affliction” indicates the moments following the death of the body, after which Jesus will be there for his followers. (See next verses.)

3. Verse 13:27. The word ἀποστέλλω (apostellō) refers to the sending of messengers by the Supreme Being.

4. Verse 13:30. This indicates that Jesus is speaking of events that would occur within the next 20-30 years (a generation). This foretells the beginning of the Jewish-Roman Wars, which began about 60 A.D. and lasted more than 70 years, during which hundreds of thousands of Jews and early Christians were slaughtered by the Romans.

5. Verse 13:31. Jesus contrasts the temporary nature of the physical world with the eternal nature of his spiritual teachings regarding the spiritual realm.

6. Verse 13:32. The Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) can be used to describe either the sky within the physical universe when speaking of the physical universe – or the spiritual realm, depending on its context. Sometimes these are termed as the “heavens” and the “sidereal heavens” for distinction

Continue to Gospel of Mark Chapter Fourteen