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Mark 13

Mark book home•Chapter 13 of 16•37 verses

Chapter overviewAt a glance + deeper study

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Mark 13 Overview

Jesus predicts the temple’s destruction and teaches Peter, James, John, and Andrew about coming deception, wars, persecution, worldwide witness, the abomination of desolation, unequaled tribulation, false Christs, cosmic signs, the visible coming of the Son of man, and the gathering of the elect. He repeatedly commands watchfulness because no one knows the day or hour.

MarkBook

13Chapter

37Verses

GospelsDivision

Before you read Mark 13

Coming from

Mark 12 established the immediate context: Jesus tells the parable of the wicked husbandmen, applies the rejected-stone Scripture to Himself, and answers challenges about tribute, resurrection, and the greatest commandment.

In this chapter

Mark 13 gives a concentrated Olivet Discourse that trains disciples to avoid deception, endure witness, recognize major events, and remain watchful.

Leads into

Mark 14 continues the account: Leaders plot Jesus’ death while a woman at Bethany anoints Him.

Key understandingExplore deeper

The discourse begins with the temple and reaches the coming of the Son of man. The relationship between near historical fulfillment and final events has been debated; the overview should retain both horizons where the text does.

Mark’s stated sequence places the Son of man’s coming and gathering of the elect after the tribulation and cosmic signs described in the chapter.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Deception is a central danger

Repeated warnings address false Christs and false prophets.

Ordinary conflict should not be mistaken for immediate completion

Wars and earthquakes are beginnings, not permission for panic.

The gospel witness continues amid persecution

Disciples may be delivered to authorities, yet testimony reaches nations.

Christ’s return is unmistakable and glorious

The Son of man comes in clouds with power and glory.

Watchfulness replaces date-setting

Servants must remain ready precisely because the time is unknown.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11

The abomination of desolation language points back to Daniel.

Matthew 24

Matthew gives the fuller parallel and similar sequence.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

Paul likewise describes the Lord’s coming and gathering of believers.

2 Thessalonians 2:1–4

Paul’s teaching on the coming and gathering also includes preceding rebellion/man-of-sin themes.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not set dates

Jesus explicitly says the precise time is unknown.

Do not call every war the final sign

The chapter warns that such things must occur but are not themselves the end.

Do not make endurance the meritorious cause of eternal salvation

Disciples are called to faithful perseverance under persecution; salvation is received by faith.

Read Mark 13 watching for…

The private audience asking Jesus.

Repeated deception warnings.

What Jesus says must happen before the end.

The abomination and tribulation.

The order of cosmic signs, coming, and gathering.

Commands to watch.

Chapter outline4 sections

1-13Jesus foretells the temple’s destruction and warns of troubles, persecution, and gospel preaching 14-23Jesus warns about the abomination of desolation, tribulation, and false christs 24-31Jesus describes the coming of the Son of man and gathering of the elect 32-37Jesus says the hour is unknown and commands everyone to watch

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!

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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:

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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:

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

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