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÷÷MARK 13

MARK 13

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO JESUS' OLIVET DISCOURSE

1. New Testament eschatological passages reflect Old Testament prophetic insight that viewed the end-time through contemporary occurrences (see SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY [OT]) Jesus follows this pattern.
    The OT prophets Micah and Jeremiah foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple as a sign of God's judgment on unbelieving Israel. God would call Gentiles to judge His people and take over their land (i.e., Assyria, Neo-Babylon, Persia, Gog and Magog, Greece, Rome). Now in the NT Israel still acts in unbelief. They reject His Messiah. They will be destroyed, along with Jerusalem and the temple (in the Jewish War [A.D. 66-70] by Titus; see Four Views On the Book of Revelation, pp. 35-92). Their promised land is now given to others.
   The Jews
   1. sought Jesus' death ‒ Matt. 12:14; 26:4; 27:1; Mark 14:1; Luke 22:2; John 7:30,44; 8:59; 10:31,39; 11:47-53
   2. paid Judas to betray Jesus ‒ Matt. 26:14-15,47; 27:3-9
   3. brought forth false witnesses at His trial ‒ Matt. 26:59-62
   4. convicted Him of blasphemy ‒ Matt. 27:65-66; John 19:6,15
   5. demanded Barabbas when Pilate tried to release Jesus; the crowd wanted Jesus crucified ‒ John 18:39-40
   6. the Apostolic sermons in Acts accuse the Jews of killing Jesus ‒ Acts 2:22-23,36; 3:13-15; 5:30; also note Stephen's comment in Acts 7:52
   
   
2. Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are so difficult to interpret because they deal with several questions simultaneously.
   1. when will the temple be destroyed?
   2. what will be the sign of Jesus the Messiah's return?
   3. when will this age end?
      SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DISCIPLES QUESTIONS
   
   
3. The genre of New Testament eschatology is usually a combination of apocalyptic and prophetic language, which is purposely ambiguous and highly symbolic.
   SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT)
   SPECIAL TOPIC: APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE
   
   
4. Several passages in the NT (cf. Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 17 and 21; 1 and 2 Thessalonians; and Revelation) deal with God or Jesus coming in judgment (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SECOND COMING). Here are just some passages which emphasize
   1. that the exact time of the event is unknown, but the event is certain
   2. that the affected generation (i.e., Matt. 10:23; 16:28; 23:36; 24:34; 26:64-65) will know the general time, but not specific time, of the events
   3. that it will occur suddenly and unexpectedly
   4. that every generation of believers must be prayerful, ready, and faithful to assigned tasks (the view of Idealism)
       The understanding (Partial Preterism) that much of the Olivet Discourse and the book of Revelation deal with the destruction of the temple in no way depreciates the many NT passages related to the promise of Jesus' physical, visible Second Coming.
       Here are just some of the texts related to this promise of consummation ‒ Acts 1:11; 3:19-21; 1 Cor. 1:7; 15:23; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thess. 2:19; 3:3; 4:13-18; 5:23; 2 Thess. 1:7,10; 1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; James 5:7-8; 1 Pet. 1:7,13; 2 Pet. 1:16; 3:8-13; 1 John 2:28 (if 1 John was written close to John's Gospel)
       For good descriptions of Partial Preterism see
      1. John Bray, Matthew 24 Fulfilled
      2. Kenneth Gentry, Before Jerusalem Fell, ISBN 0982620608
      3. Steve Gregg, Revelation: Four Views, Revised and Updated, ISBN 9781401676216
      4. Four Views of the Book of Revelation, pp. 35-92, ISBN 0-310-21080-1
   
   
5. The primary focus of this chapter is on practical advice (19 IMPERATIVES), not pinpointing the exact time or chronological sequence of the events.
   
   
6. The two key phrases are
   1. "look out" (Mark 13:5,9,23,33)
   2. "not yet" (Mark 13:7,10)
      These twin foci of "be ready" and "wait patiently" are balanced with the other paradox of "the already" and "the not yet."
      SPECIAL TOPIC: OT PREDICTIONS OF THE FUTURE VS. NT PREDICTIONS—Why do Christians Have So Many Dogmatic Interpretations of Revelation?
   
   
7. POSSIBLE OUTLINE RELATED TO THE DISCIPLES' QUESTIONS (taken from F. F. Bruce's Answers to Questions, p. 57, with my adaptations)
   1. Warnings against being misled by (vv. 5-8)
      1. false messiahs, vv. 6,21-22
      2. great calamities
          (1) natural disasters, v. 8b
          (2) human wars, v. 8a
      3. just the beginnings of "birth pangs," v. 8c (see SPECIAL TOPIC: BIRTH PAINS OF THE NEW AGE)
      
      
   2. Predictions about persecution between the death of Jesus and the destruction of Jerusalem (vv. 9,11,12), but also the promise of the Spirit's help (v. 11)
      1. delivered up to courts
      2. delivered up to synagogues
      3. delivered up to governors
         It is possible because of vv. 10,13, that this could also refer to the whole period between Jesus' death, resurrection, ascension, and His coming in judgment on Jerusalem.
      
      
   3. Predictions about the Fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple (note Mark 12:1-12), vv. 14-23
      1. Abomination of Desolation (i.e., Titus, A.D. 70; see SPECIAL TOPIC: ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION)
      2. Christians flee to the mountains, vv. 15-18
      3. terrible time of tribulation (hyperbole), vv. 19-22
      4. false messiahs, vv. 6,21-22
      
      
   4. Prediction describing the coming of Jesus in judgment (vv. 24-27) might be multiple fulfillment prophecy
      1. OT apocalyptic texts (vv. 24-26)
      2. angels gather the elect from the whole planet (v. 27)
      
      
   5. More predictions about the fall of Jerusalem (vv. 28-31)
      1. parable of the fig tree (vv. 28,29)
      2. "It" (not "He") is at the door (v. 29)
      3. Jesus identifies who He is addressing (v. 30)
      4. affirmation of the trustworthiness of His words (v. 31)
      
      
   6. More warnings related to the Jesus coming in judgment (vv. 32-37)
      1. no one but the Father knows the time (vv. 32-33)
      2. parable of a man on a journey (vv. 34-37, an illustration of vv. 32-33)
      
      
   7. F. F. Bruce makes Mark 13 parallel to the first six seals of Revelation 6 (cf. pp. 57 and 138). I have come to think that most of the book of Revelation and the Olivet Discourse relate to the Jewish War (A.D. 66-70), culminating in Titus' destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY 

÷MARK 13:1-2

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: MARK 13:1-2
 ¹As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!" ²And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down."

13:1 "the temple" This is the word (hieron), used for the whole temple area. Jesus had been teaching there (i.e., Solomon's Portico) since the events of Mark 11 (cf. Matt. 26:55). These buildings had become a place in Jewish thought

1. where heaven and earth meet (i.e., the Holy of Holies)
2. the great Jewish hope, a symbol of God's exclusive love for Israel (cf. Jer. 7; John 8:31-59)
3. the only acceptable site of sacrifice given, prayers heard, and forgiveness attained (cf. 1 Kings 8)

▣ "one of His disciples" It may have been Peter (cf. Mark 13:3). John Mark may have given us Peter's memory of Jesus' words (i.e., Peter's sermons in Rome, as well as personal dialogue with John Mark gave him the material to write the Gospel of Mark, which is really the Gospel of Peter). This is the longest teaching session in Mark's Gospel.

SPECIAL TOPIC: JOHN MARK

▣ "wonderful stones" This is literally "huge stones." Josephus tells us Herod the Great used huge polished limestones or mezzeh that were native to this area. They were 25 x 8 x 12 cubits (cf. Antiquities 15.11.3). Stones of similar shape and material are still visible at the wailing wall in Jerusalem.

SPECIAL TOPIC: CUBIT

▣ "wonderful buildings" This is literally "huge buildings." They were white polished limestone with gold trim. This huge and expensive building project started by Herod the Great was meant to placate the Jews who were upset over an Idumean being king. This remodeling and expansion was begun in 20/19 B.C. and finished in about A.D. 63/64 (cf. Josephus' Antiquities 15.11.1-7; Wars 5.5.1-6).

13:2 "Not one stone will be left upon another" This phrase has two DOUBLE NEGATIVES with the SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD. There is no stronger grammatical negation possible in the Greek language! This speaks of total destruction. This must have dumbfounded them! Josephus tells us that in A.D. 70 the Romans destroyed this site so completely that one could plow the ground of the temple as a field (cf. Mic. 3:12; Jer. 26:18).

There are some Greek manuscript variants related to this phrase.

1. the wording of Matt. 24:2 found in the ancient Greek uncial manuscripts א, B, L, and W.
2. the wording of Luke 21:6 found in MS A and the Vulgate
3. the UBS⁴ follows Matt. 24:2, which adds the ADVERB "here" or "in this place" and gives it a "B" rating (almost certain)

Flavius Josephus (A.D. 37-100) gives us the only contempory account of the "Jewish War." He was a Jewish military commander in Galilee and surrendered to Vespasian troups. He was imprisoned and taken to Rome where he made a prophecy that Vespasian would be emperor. When this occurred following the two year chaos after Nero's suicide, Josephus became a Jewish/Roman historian.

÷MARK 13:3-8

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: MARK 13:3-8
 ³As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, ⁴"Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?" ⁵And Jesus began to say to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. ⁶Many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He!' and will mislead many. ⁷When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. ⁸For 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."

13:3 "sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple" This 2.5 mile ridge on the east overlooking (i.e., about 300-400 feet higher) Jerusalem and the temple area.

Some scholars see this as echoing Ezekiel seeing YHWH leave the temple and move east because of Israel's unbelief (cf. Ezekiel 8-10). This seems a bit of a stretch to me. There are surely OT echoes in Jesus' life but I worry about modern interpreters reading too many into texts like this!

SPECIAL TOPIC: TYPOLOGY

▣ "Peter and James and John and Andrew" Only Mark's Gospel mentions this detail. This is probably one of Peter's eyewitness memories.

13:4 "when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled" Matthew 24:3 records the expanded questions. There were several events that these disciples wanted to know about:

1. the time of the destruction of the temple (Mark 13:2,14-23,28-31)
2. the time of the Second Coming (Mark 13:24-27)
3. the time of the end of the age (Mark 13:32-37)

The disciples probably thought all three would happen at one time. Notice Jesus merges the temporal and the eschatological, just as the OT prophets did.

Jesus refused to give a "sign" to unbelieving Jews, but He did give a sign to His followers.

SPECIAL TOPIC: SIGN (OT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DISCIPLES' QUESTIONS

SPECIAL TOPIC: SECOND COMING

13:5-13 "See to it that no one misleads you" "See" is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE. Jesus commands them to be on constant alert. In some ways the Jewish traditions about the Messiah had already biased the disciples (i.e., Acts 1:6). These verses mention false signs or precursor signs that are present in every age. This warning is repeated often (cf. Mark 13:5,9,23,33; similar warnings are in Luke 21:8; 1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 6:7; 2 Thess. 2:9-12; James 1:16; 1 John 2:26; 3:7; 2 John 1:7). There will be many who try to trick them on these issues.

Every generation of Christians has tried to force its contemporary history into biblical prophecy. To date they have all been wrong! Part of the problem is that modern believers

1. do not know the culture and historical crises of 1^st century Palestine
2. try to interpret the Olivet Discourse in eschatological terms only
3. miss the stated historical setting of Jesus' words to the disciples' question (vv. 1-2)
4. have been unduly influenced by the Futurist model, particularly Dispensationalism, which only came into existence in the 19^th century

13:6 "Many will come in My name" This refers to false messiahs who controlled and manipulated the temple in the last days of the Jewish War (A.D. 66-70, cf. Matt. 24:11,23-24). There is even a reference in Josephus' Wars of the Jews 6.54 which asserts that the Romans destroyed Jerusalem because of the fanaticism of the false prophets and false messiahs, who led the people astray with false promises of YHWH's intervention in saving Jerusalem based on Isaiah's prophecies (i.e., Isaiah 37), but of course not mentioning Jeremiah's repeated predictions of faithless Jerusalem's fall. Be careful of proof-texting!

This is a good place to remind modern interpreters that proof-texting prophecies is a dangerous method. Prophecies are meant to change current belief and behavior! Interpreters must search out all inspired pronouncments about a subject before they utter the words, "God says. . ."

SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE (biblical paradoxes)

SPECIAL TOPIC: The Name of the Lord (NT)

▣ "saying 'I am He'" This is literally "I am." This was a Messianic designation using the title of the OT Covenant God, YHWH, from the Hebrew VERB "to be" (cf. Exod. 3:12,14; Deut. 32:39; Isa. 43:10; John 4:26; 8:24,58; 13:19; 18:5,6,8; these affirmations in John's Gospel by Jesus are not the same as His famous "I Am. . ." statements).

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.

▣ "and will mislead many" These types of warnings and terminology were common in Jewish apocalyptic literature. This shows the persuasive power of the false messiahs and the spiritual vacuum of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. (cf. Matt. 24:11,23-26). It also shows the naivete of new believers and/or carnal Christians in our day (cf. 1 Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:11-14). Evil is tricky and slippery.

SPECIAL TOPIC: APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE

13:7 "do not be frightened" This is a PRESENT IMPERATIVE with the MĒ PARTICLE, which usually means to stop an act in progress. Jesus' answer to their question was frightening!

▣ "those things must take place; but that is not yet the end" Wars, earthquakes, and famines are not signs of the end, but precursors/signs present in every age (cf. Mark 13:8,10; Matt. 24:6-8). These violent natural events are not signs of the Second Coming, but of life in a fallen world (cf. John L. Bray, Matthew 24 Fulfilled, pp. 25,28, which is a good presentation ot the Preterist interpretation; also see Kenneth Gentry, Before Jerusalem Fell).

These very events were used by God in the OT to bring about temporal judgment and, hopefully, repentance.

1. wars ‒ Isa. 10:28-34; Jer. 24:10
2. earrthquakes ‒ Isa. 13:13; 29:6; Nah. 1:5-6
3. famines ‒ Isa. 14:30; Jer. 11:22

Notice how much Mark (i.e., Peter) uses Isaiah's prophecies in his Gospel!

There is a series of small paperback books by Zondervan entitled Four Views On . . ., which take the four different ways to understand these eschatological texts and subjects. Wonderful, godly, prayerful, educated Christians disagree on these issues. These books let each view present its understanding and then the other views get to critique. This methodology has proven to be very helpful to me. Here are some of the series.

1. Four Views on the Book of Revelation
2. Four Views on the Rapture
3. Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond

Also helpful is Steve Gregg, Revelation: Four Views, Revised and Updated.

SPECIAL TOPIC: SECOND COMING (chart)

13:8 "there will also be famines" Some Greek manuscripts add the phrase "and troubles" (cf. MSS A, W, and NKJV). There are several other variants, but most English translations have "famines," which is found in Matt. 24:7 and MSS א, B, and L (and MS D in a slightly different form). The parallel in Luke 21:11 has several other things listed. The UBS⁴ gives the shorter reading a "B" rating (almost certain).

SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM, II. B.

▣ "birth pangs" The full idiom is "birth pangs of the new age" (cf. Isa. 13:8; 26:17; Jer. 30:6-7; Micah 4:9-10; Matt. 24:8; Mark 13:8; Acts 2:24; 1 Thess. 5:3). This reflects the Jewish belief in the intensification of evil before the new age of righteousness (cf. Ezekiel 38-39; Dan. 7:23-28; 9:24-27; Mark 13:19-20 and the Book of Jubilees 23:18 along with the Apocalypse of Baruch 27-29). The Jews believed in two ages: the current evil age, characterized by sin and rebellion against God, and the "age to come." The New Age would be inaugurated by the coming of the Messiah (cf. Psalm 2). It would be a time of righteousness and fidelity to God. Although the Jewish view was partially true, it did not take into account the two comings of the Messiah. We live in the overlapping of these two ages: the "already" and "not yet" of the kingdom of God!

SPECIAL TOPIC: BIRTH PAINS

SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY DO CHRISTIANS SUFFER?

SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH

SPECIAL TOPIC: THIS AGE AND THE AGE TO COME

SPECIAL TOPIC: LAST DAYS

SPECIAL TOPIC: ESCHATOLOGY

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KINGDOM OF GOD

÷MARK 13:9-13

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: MARK 13:9-13
 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. ¹⁰The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. ¹¹When 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. ¹²Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. ¹³You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved."

13:9-13 This material is not paralleled in Matthew 24, but appears in Matt. 10:17-22. This shows

1. that Jesus must have repeated these same truths on several occasions
2. that Matthew and Mark structured this material topically

These same phenomena are found in Luke's Gospel. The material found in Matthew and Mark appears in two places; Luke 17 and Luke 21.

13:9 "be on your guard" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE (the same form as Mark 13:5 and 23). There is an element of personal responsibility involved in preparation for the persecutions involved in God's temporal judgment on "those who pierced Him" (Rev. 1:7).

▣ "courts. . .synagogues. . .before governors and kings" "Courts and synagogues," a phrase not found in Matt. 24:9 but alluded to in Matt. 10:23, shows both governmental and religious persecution of Christians by both Jews and Gentiles (cf. 1 Pet. 4:12-16). The letters to the seven churches in Revelation also show the early Christians had two human persecutors

1. Jews
2. Romans

SPECIAL TOPIC: JEWS

▣ "the courts" This is the PLURAL form of Sanhedrin. It refers to local synagogue courts (cf. 2 Cor. 11:24).

▣ "flogged" This is literally "beaten" or "skinned" (cf. 2 Cor. 11:24). Jews whipped offenders thirty-nine times—thirteen times on the front and twenty-six times on the back in accordance with Deut. 25:1-3.

13:9,12 "for My sake" Believers will be persecuted, not for their own wickedness or civil crimes, but simply because they are Christians (cf. Matt. 5:10-16; 1 Pet. 4:12-16).

13:10 "The gospel must first be preached to all the nations" The term "must" is the Greek dei, which implies necessity. Jesus (or Peter or Mark, all of whom are inspired) was trying to show the disciples

1. their Gentile mission (cf. Gen. 12:3; 1 Kgs. 8:60; Isa. 42:6; 49:6; 51:4; 52:10; 60:1-3; Matt. 24:14; 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Rom. 11:25-27)
2. that there would be a period of time between the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Coming (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2; 2 Peter 2)

We must hold in tension the any-moment return of our Lord and the truth that some things must happen first. There is a real tension in the New Testament concerning the time of the Second Coming: imminent, delayed, or unknown.

The great NT truth (cf. Eph. 2:11-3:13) that Israel's God will fully and completely accept Gentiles is the focus of this verse. Everything is new and universal in the "New Covenant" (i.e., Rom. 2:28-29; 3:22; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:26-29; 5:6; Col. 3:11). What wonderful "Good News"!

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ANY MOMENT RETURN OF JESUS vs. NOT YET

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DELAYED SECOND COMING

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KERYGMA OF THE EARLY CHURCH

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE GOSPEL

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

13:11 The Spirit will always be with believers! The Spirit will empower believers amidst persecution (cf. Acts 4)! The Spirit is often identified with Jesus as the parallel in Luke 21:15 shows. This promise does not replace personal preparation for regular preaching and teaching opportunities; therefore, it is not a substitute for proper study. This is a special grace which allows believers to witness in faith to Christ in times of persecution and/or prosecution (cf. Matt. 10:19-20; Luke 12:11-12; 21:14-15).

SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS AND THE SPIRIT

▣ "in that hour" See SPECIAL TOPIC: HOUR.

13:12 "brother. . .brother" Family was the heart of Jewish life, but families will be split over Christ (cf. Matt. 10:21,35-37). This is also a recurrent theme in apocalyptic writings (cf. Jubilees 23:19 and II Baruch 70:3).

13:13 "but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved" This is the doctrine of perseverance (cf. Matt. 10:22; 24:12-13; Rev. 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21; 21:7). It must be held in a dialectical tension with the doctrine of security.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE NEED TO PERSEVERE

SPECIAL TOPIC: ASSURANCE

SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION

SPECIAL TOPIC: APOSTASY

SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE (biblical paradoxes)

÷MARK 13:14-23

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: MARK 13:14-23
 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. ¹⁵the one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; ¹⁶and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. ¹⁷But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! ¹⁸But pray that it may not happen in the winter. ¹⁹For 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. ²⁰Unless 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. ²¹And then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ'; or, 'Behold, He is there'; do not believe him; ²² for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. ²³But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance."

13:14 "when you see" Jesus' words are directed to the disciples' questions of vv. 1-2. These statements deal with "this generation" of Jewish believers and events. I have been amazed how Josephus describes events that occurred in Palestine between A.D. 66-70 (i.e., the Jewish War) as parallel with the Olivet Discourse.

This phase is used of two different people who set up images of false gods in the temple (i.e., Antiochus Epiphanes IV; Titus). It involves a multi-fulfillment prophecy starting with Daniel (cf. Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11).

It is interesting the way the Synoptic Gospels record these words of Jesus.

1. Matt. 24:15, "which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)"
2. Mark 13:14, "standing where it should not be (let the reader understand)"
3. Luke 21:20, "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her destruction is at hand"

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

The PARTICIPLE "standing" is PERFECT ACTIVE ACCUSATIVE MASCULINE in The Analytical Greek New Testament by Barbara and Timothy Friberg, p. 154 (cf. TEV), but PERFECT ACTIVE ACCUSATIVE NEUTER in The Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament by William D. Mounce, p.219 (cf. NASB, NRSV, NJB). If NEUTER, then it refers to

1. "the abomination" (bdelugma)
2. to Titus' army (strateuma). Matthew 24:15 adds "standing in the Holy Place" (i.e., the Holy Place of the temple), which implies the MASCULINE gender and refers to the Roman General.

This, too, fits Titus, who set up the Roman military standards (which stood for their gods) in the temple in Jerusalem.

▣ "(let the reader understand)" This idiom means "to think about carefully" or "to consider well" (cf. 2 Tim. 2:7). This is a comment from the author of the Gospel. It apparently was meant to trigger further discussion (i.e., the Abomination of Desolation from Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) on the subject by the person reading the text aloud to a study group in a worship setting, somewhat like our modern Sunday School classes.

▣ "those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains" Eusebius, a church historian from the fourth century, records the Christian tradition that the Christians fled Jerusalem to Pella, about twenty miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, just before the Roman siege encircled the city in A.D. 70 (cf. Hist. Eccl. 3:5:2-3). Therefore, not many Christians suffered the siege and fall of Jerusalem. Judaism was destroyed but Christianity saved!

13:15 "the one who is on the housetop" The houses had flat roofs. They were used as the place of social gathering in the hot months. It has been said that one could walk across Jerusalem on the roofs of houses. Apparently some houses were built next to the city's wall. When the Roman army was seen, immediate flight was necessary.

13:16 "coat" This referred to the outer robe, which was also used as sleeping cover. Men working in the field would not have had this with them and would not have time to go home to get it!

13:17 "woe" This term is used in the OT to designate judgment prophecies. It was a way of referring to a funeral dirge or lament. God's judgment on Jerusalem would affect believers as well as unbelievers.

▣ "to those who are pregnant" This obviously refers to the destruction of Jerusalem only. It would have been difficult for pregnant women to flee rapidly over the wall. This has nothing to do with the Second Coming! These disciples' questions to Jesus relate to two separate issues:

1. the destruction of Jerusalem
2. the end of the age

The problem is that these questions were dealt with at the same time. There is no easy verse division by topic.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DISCIPLES' QUESTIONS

13:18 "in winter" Rapid travel would have also been difficult in winter for pregnant women and little ones.

13:19 This can be viewed as

1. persecution between Jesus' death and the destruction of Jerusalem
2. the severity of the end-time persecution of believers and God's judgment on unbelievers (cf. v. 24)
3. an Oriental hyperbole (e.g., Exod. 11:6; Dan. 12:1)

It is hard to know whether references are literal or figurative (compare Joel 2:28-32 and Peter's use of it in Acts 2, where it is not taken literally). The NT is an eastern book. They were much more accustomed to exaggerations and figures of speech than we are as modern westerners. It is never a question of taking the revelation seriously. It is a hermeneutical question of the intent of the original inspired author. To take the NT literally every time and in every place is not biblical conservatism, but improper interpretation. Three books that have helped me understand Eastern literature are:

1. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, by Fee and Stuart
2. Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic, by D. Brent Sandy
3. The Langauge and Imagery of the Bible, by G. B. Caird

This verse might be an allusion to Dan. 12:1, but with an added phrase. The elect are those whose names are in the book of life (i.e., believing Jews, the true remnant, and believing Gentiles, the mystery of God hidden, but now revealed, cf. Eph. 2:11-3:13)!

SPECIAL TOPIC: TRIBULATION

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE RAPTURE

SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE (biblical paradoxes)

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TWO BOOKS OF GOD

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE REMNANT, THREE SENSES

▣ "such as has not occurred. . ." This seems like a hyperbole until one reads Josephus' account of the Jewish War (A.D. 66-70). Vespasian started the Roman campaign in Galilee and the slaughter was catastrophic! See Kenneth Gentry's Before Jerusalem Fell.

▣ "since the beginning of the creation" See SPECIAL TOPIC: KTISIS.

▣ "which God created" There is one and only one creator (cf. Gen. 1:1; see SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM), but Scripture specifically states that Jesus was His agent in creation (cf. John 1:3,10; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2).

The Spirit was also active in creation as Gen. 1:2 shows (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PERSONHOOD OF THE SPIRIT). The whole Trinity was active in

1. creation ‒ Elohim (see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C)
2. redemption ‒ YHWH (see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D)

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TRINITY

13:20 The interpretive question is to which of the two events the disciples asked about does this comment by Jesus refer?

1. destruction of Jerusalem
2. the end of the age

These events are discussed in overlapping ways. There is no clear and precise verse division. It seems to me this refers to the destruction of Jerusalem, because

1. although most Christians fled the city before its destruction
2. there is still empire-wide persecution of believers by
   1. Jewish people
   2. Roman authorities

SPECIAL TOPIC: DISCIPLES' QUESTIONS (MATT. 24:3)

▣ "Unless" This is a rare SECOND CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE called "contrary to fact." It states an incorrect premise which makes the conclusion incorrect. Literally this would imply "If the Lord had not shortened the days (which He did) no one would be saved (but they were)."

SPECIAL TOPIC: GREEK GRAMMATICAL TERMS, VII.

▣ "the Lord" This must refer to YHWH, not Jesus. YHWH is the One who elects/chooses (cf. Eph. 1:4). God is mentioned specifically in v. 19.

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.

SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord (adon and kurios)

▣ "been saved" This is the use of the term in its OT sense of physical deliverance (cf. James 5:15), not spiritual salvation.

SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT term)

▣ "but for the sake of the elect" This probably refers to the whole period of the Jewish War with Rome (A.D. 66-70).

▣ "whom He chose" The PRONOUN "He" refers to God the Father. see SPECIAL TOPIC: ELECTION/PREDESTINATION AND THE NEED FOR A THEOLOGICAL BALANCE

SPECIAL TOPIC: HE CHOSE US

▣ "He shortened the days" This phrase implies that the unchangeable God (cf. Ps. 102:26-27; Mal. 3:6) can alter His plans! His character and redemptive purposes never change, but the prayers of His people do affect Him and often alter His plans. This is mystery! But it is the essence of OT prophecy and intercessory prayer.

SPECIAL TOPIC: INTERCESSORY PRAYER

13:21 "And then if anyone says to you" This is a third class conditional sentence, which means potential action.

▣ "the Christ" This Greek title is a translation of the Hebrew term "anointed," which becomes the title "Messiah." There were many false messiahs in Jerusalem during the Roman siege (A.D. 69-70). It was their fanaticism that caused the Romans to totally destroy the temple.

SPECIAL TOPIC: ANOINTING IN THE BIBLE

SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH

▣ "do not believe Him" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE with the MĒ PARTICLE, which usually means stop an act in process, but in this context it could not have this normal implication. Remember, context determines meaning!

Christians need to be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves (cf. Matt. 10:16). Naive Christians, gullible Christians, baby Christians are all too common. We must test the spirits (cf. 1 John 4:1) to see if they are truly God's spokespersons. It is so sad to me when I hear of believers flocking to trees, screen doors, or special holy sites to see Jesus. This context is very clear! When He comes all will see Him and know Him (cf. Matt. 24:27).

The immediate context of Mark 13:14-23 refers to those escaping from Jerusalem, not to be deterred by someone claiming Christ had appeared in the city, in this place, or that.

13:22 "will show signs and wonders" These false christs will perform miracles. Be careful of always identifying the miraculous with God (cf. Exod. 7:11-12,22; Deut. 13:1ff; Matt. 24:24; 2 Thess. 2:9-12; Rev. 13:13-14). False believers can do miracles (cf. Matt. 7:21-23).

▣ "if possible" It seems to me that the contingency of Mark 13:22 may be contextually related to the contingency of Mark 13:20 (i.e., a SECOND CLASS CONDITIONAL) because the elect (cf. Mark 13:20 and 22) cannot be led astray!

13:23 "I have told you everything in advance" This was one of Jesus' ways (which reflect YHWH's predictions in the OT) of proving to His followers His control of history and redemption by foretelling upcoming events. YHWH and His Christ control time and history! Even hard times are part of His overarching redemptive plan.

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

÷MARK 13:24-27

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: MARK 13:24-27
 ²⁴"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, ²⁵and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. ²⁶Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷And 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."

13:24-27 The time of the "comings" is mixed between

1. the judgment on Jerusalem
2. the judgment at the end of the age

It looks to me that

1. Mark 13:7-8 ‒ precursor signs of every age
2. Mark 13:9-13 ‒ persecution after Jesus' crucifixion
3. Mark 13:14-37 ‒ refers to the coming judgment by God on apostate Judaism by the Romans

13:24 "But" This is a strong ADVERSATIVE that shows a break in context. A new time segment is being revealed.

13:24 "in those days" This phrase and the next seem to point to a later time/event.

▣ "after that tribulation" This refers to the invasion of Palestine beginning in Galilee and the destruction of Jerusalem (A.D. 66-70).

SPECIAL TOPIC: TRIBULATION

▣ "the sun will be darkened" This is the OT apocalyptic language of a time of judgment (cf. Ezek. 32:7-8; Joel 2:10; 3:15; 28:3-4; Amos 8:9; also see II Esdras 5:5; Assumption of Moses 10:5; and I Enoch 80:4-7). This is a series of OT quotes in vv. 24-26:

1. Mark 13:24 is from Isa. 13:10, referring to the fall of Babylon
2. Mark 13:25 is from Isa. 34:4 refers to the fall of Edom
3. Mark 13:26 is from Dan. 7:13 refers to Messiah coming in judgment against "those who pierced Him" (cf. Rev. 1:7; see SPECIAL TOPIC: SECOND COMING, last paragraph)

Yet this may refer to upheavals in nature as the Creator approaches (cf. 2 Pet. 3:7,10,11,12; Rom. 8:18-22). Often these apocalyptic cosmic events are used to describe the fall of governments. See D. Brent Sandy, Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic.

13:25 This is a quote from Isa. 34:4. It reflects the belief that stars are heavenly powers (cf. Jdgs. 5:20; Job 38:7). In apocalyptic literature falling stars often refer to angels (cf. Rev. 8:10; 9:1; 12:4). In the Bible angels are God's servants, but in Mesopotamian idolatry they refer to gods who control human destiny (i.e., twelve signs of the Zodiac or planet movements).

SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD OF HOSTS

13:26 "And then they shall see. . ." This is a quote from Dan. 7:13 where the Messiah comes before "The Ancient of Days" (Dan. 7:9) and receives the eternal Kingdom. This same OT Messianic passage is quoted in Matt. 26:64 to the High Priest during Jesus' night trial. It denoted the coming judgment on "those who pierced Him" (i.e., apostate Judiasm, cf. Rev. 1:7).

This is just one example of the many temporal markers of God's soon coming judgment (not postponed for over 2,000 years!). Here are some others in Matthew and Mark.

1. Matt. 10:23, "But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes."
2. Matt. 16:27-28, "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds. Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom."
3. Matt. 23:29-36,37-39
4. Matt. 24:33-34, "so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place."
5. Matt. 26:64, "Jesus said to him, "You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."
6. Mark 9:1, "And Jesus was saying to them, 'Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.'"

Here is a list of other NT texts which denote the immediacy of the coming Kingdom of power:

1. Rom. 13:11-12;16:20
2. 1 Thess. 2:16
3. Heb. 10:35,37
4. James 5:8-9
5. 1 Pet. 4:7
6. 1 John 2:18

▣ "the Son of Man coming in clouds" Jesus' humanity and Deity are emphasized by the term "Son of Man" as it is used

1. in Ps. 8:4;Ezek. 2:1; in its regular Jewish idiomatic sense as human being
2. in its divine sense in Dan. 7:13 (cf. Mark 8:38; 13:26; 14:62 all use Dan. 7:13)

The fact that this "Son of Man" rides on the clouds of heaven shows His Deity (cf. Ps. 68:4; 104:3). The clouds are the transportation and covering of YHWH (the Shekinah Cloud of Glory during the wilderness wandering period of Exodus and Numbers. Jesus leaves on a cloud [cf. Acts 1:9] and returns on the clouds [cf. 1 Thess. 4:17]).

SPECIAL TOPIC: SON OF MAN

SPECIAL TOPIC: COMING ON THE CLOUDS

SPECIAL TOPIC: SHEKINAH

▣ "great power and glory" This shows the drastic contrast between His first coming (cf. Zech. 9:9; Isa. 53) and His coming in judgment (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SECOND COMING, past paragraph). This is paralleled (cf. Luke 21:27), but in different terms, in Matt. 24:30.

13:27 "the angels" In 2 Thess. 1:7 the angels are called Jesus' angels. Usually they are called YHWH's angels (cf. Jude 14). This kind of transfer is another literary device to highlight the Deity of Jesus.

There are several places in Matthew's Gospel where the angels are said to gather the elect (cf. Matt. 13:41; 24:31). In 2 Thess. 2:1 the saints are gathered but it does not say how or by whom. See note below.

Some see these as referring to gospel proclaimers because the term "angel" in both Hebrew and Greek can refer to "messenger." There is so much ambiguity in this chapter. Godly, prayerful, educated belivers emphasize different connotations, possibilities, and/or parallel passages! Be careful that your linking of texts or your eschatological timeline does not become as inspired as the Bible texts themselves!!

▣ "gather together His elect" This is OT prophetic language (cf. Deut. 30:4; Isa. 43:6; and Ps. 50:5). The exact order of these specific events is uncertain.

1. Paul taught that at death the believer is with Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 5:6,8).
2. 1 Thess. 4:13-18 teaches that apparently something of our physical bodies, which were left here, will be united with our spirits at the Lord's return. This implies a disembodied state between death and resurrection day.

There is so much about the end-time events and afterlife experience that is not recorded in the Bible. A book that has been helpful to me is William Hendriksen's The Bible On the Life Hereafter.

SPECIAL TOPIC: ELECTION

▣ "from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven" This implies a worldwide following of Jesus! It also implies a long period of time for the gospel to spread.

The number four in the Bible is symbolic of the world. It referred to

1. the four corners of the world (Isa. 11:12)
2. the four winds of heaven (Dan. 7:2; Zech. 2:6)
3. the four ends of heaven (Jer. 49:36)

The elect will be gathered from wherever they are on the planet.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DELAYED SECOND COMING

SPECIAL TOPIC: SOON RETURN

SPECIAL TOPIC: SECOND COMING, last paragraph

÷MARK 13:28-32

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: MARK 13:28-32
 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. ²⁹Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. ³⁰Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. ³¹Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. ³²But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone."

13:28-31 Jesus' words apparently are referring to the destruction of the temple (vv. 2,14-23). Verse 29 links back to v. 14.

These prophetic words of Jesus seem to address several time periods and events.

1. precursor signs of every age (vv., 7-8)
2. time between Jesus' death and the fall of Jerusalem (vv. 9-13)
3. time of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (vv. 14-37)
4. time of the Second Coming of Jesus (vv. 24-27)

SPECIAL TOPIC: SECOND COMING

13:28 "the fig tree" In this parable the fig tree is apparently not a symbol of national Israel as in Mark 11:12-14, but imagery of believers knowing the general season, if not the specific time, of the Lord's return. The fig tree was a late bloomer. It signaled the coming of summer, not spring.

13:29 "recognize" This is either a PRESENT ACTIVE INDICATIVE or a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE. The contemporary generation (i.e., the current generation, Matt. 10:23; 16:28; 23:34; 26:64; Luke 21:22) will understand exactly these prophetic passages. The church's problem is that every generation of believers has tried to force these prophecies into its own contemporary history and culture. So far every generation has been wrong. The church loses her credibility by all of these false predictions!

▣ "He" There is no PRONOUN in the Greek text. The "to be" VERB can be MASCULINE or NEUTER. Because of Mark 13:14, the NEUTER "it" fits best. If so, then this refers to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 70.

▣ "right at the door" This is another immediate time marker.

SPECIAL TOPIC: SOON RETURN

13:30 "this generation will not pass away until all these things take place" This is a strong DOUBLE NEGATIVE grammatical construction. It could refer to

1. the destruction of Jerusalem
2. the transfiguration (cf. Mark 8:38 compared to Mark 9:1)
3. the signs of the Second Coming

The problem is that Jesus merges all three questions (cf. Matt. 24:3) the disciples asked into one context, with no clean division between events. They probably expected all three to take place at one time. See note at v. 29 and Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 445-448.

It is interesting to me that the NET Bible, p. 1779, #3, calls this verse "one of the hardest verses in the Gospels to interpret." This is because it does not fit Dispensationalists' understanding of the Olivet Discourse. Our theological systems must not take precedent over clear texts and their parallels of an immediate "coming" of God/Christ against Jerusalem using the Roman Army.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DISCIPLES' QUESTIONS (MATT. 24:3)

SPECIAL TOPIC: SECOND COMING, last paragraph

13:31 "Heaven and earth will pass away" This great truth is couched in OT apocalyptic language (cf. 2 Pet. 3:7,10). God's Word will never pass away (cf. Ps. 119:89,160; Isa. 40:8; Matt. 5:18b; 24:35b; Luke 16:17b; 21:17b; 1 Pet. 1:23-25), but the physical creation which has been affected by human sin will be cleansed. This is the recurrent theme of Scripture. Here are some texts: Ps. 102:25-26; Isa. 34:4; Matt. 5:18a; 24:35a; Luke 16:17a; 21:17a; 2 Pet. 3:7,10.

SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN

13:32 Notice how all the other translations at the beginning of the chapter, as well as the UBS⁴ Greek text, begin the paragraph at v. 32. NASB begins it at v. 33.

▣ "that day" This is an abbreviation of the OT phrase "the Day of the Lord" (so common in Amos and Joel). It refers to the Second Coming or a judgment day (i.e., temporal = destruction of Jerusalem or eschatological = the last judgment).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THAT DAY

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DAY OF THE LORD

▣ "or hour" See SPECIAL TOPIC: HOUR.

▣ "no one knows. . .but the Father alone" This refers to the destruction of Jerusalem. Jesus specifically addressed that generation in Mark 13:30. This is a strong verse to deter Christians from setting specific dates for the Second Coming.

This verse must not be taken as a negative comment about Jesus but an affirmation of the priority of the Father (i.e., 1 Cor. 15:24-28). For a good brief discussion see Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, 2^nd ed., pp. 726-729.

Philippians 2:7 clearly asserts that Jesus "emptied Himself" when He was incarnate. The text does not discuss what or how. Obviously, Luke 2:40,52, affirm Jesus' growth in wisdom and knowledge. For Him to be truly human, He must share the human experiences. Jesus understands us because He is one of us!

SPECIAL TOPIC: FATHERHOOD OF GOD

▣ "not even the angels in heaven" The angels are viewed as curious about God's dealing with humanity (cf. 1 Cor. 4:9; Eph. 2:7; 3:10; 1 Pet. 3:12). Even though they are present with God, they do not fully understand His plans. In Christ these eternal purposes are made evident (i.e., Eph. 2:11-3:13).

▣ "nor the Son" This lack of information clearly shows Jesus' true humanity. Jesus, though truly man and truly God (cf. 1 John 4:1-3), left part of His divine attributes in heaven when He was incarnated (cf. Phil. 2:7). The limitation was only in affect until the ascension (see SPECIAL TOPIC: ASCENSION).

Jesus' use of the term "Son" to describe Himself reveals His self-understanding (i.e., YHWH is the Father, He is the chosen, Messianic Son; see SPECIAL TOPIC: SON OF GOD). This is a rare usage of the term "Son" implying "Son of the Father" (i.e., God). Jesus often referred to Himself as "Son of Man" (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SON OF MAN), but this phrase would have been understood by His hearers as "human person" unless they were familiar with its specialized use in Dan. 7:13. But, Judaism did not emphasize this OT text and title.

The phrase "nor the Son" is surprisingly not included in the parallel of Matt. 24:36 nor in the ancient Greek uncial manuscripts א^a, K, L, W. It is included in most translations because it does occur in manuscripts א, B and D, the Diatesseron, and the Greek texts known to Irenaeus, Origen, Chrysostom, and the Old Latin manuscript used by Jerome. But there is no doubt of its inclusion in Mark.

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: MARK 13:33-37
 ³³"Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. ³⁴It 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. ³⁵Therefore, 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 in the morning— ³⁶in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. ³⁷What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!'"

13:33 "Take heed, keep on the alert" These are PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVES (cf. Mark 13:5,9,23). First generation Jewish believers were to live in expectation of Jesus' coming in judgment on "those who pierced Him." They were experiencing Jewish persecution all over the Roman Empire, but especially in Palestine.

In Mark 13:33-37 there are two different Greek terms translated "watch":

1. blepō (Mark 13:33, cf. Gal. 6:1)
2. grēgoreō (Mark 13:34,35,37, cf. Eph. 6:18)

In Louw and Nida's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains, vol. 1, p. 333, these words have a semantic overlap of "stay awake" or "stay alert" for #1 and "be aware of" or "watch out for" for #2.

Although the reality of the Second Coming will be the experience of only one generation of Christians, each generation lives in the constant hope of the any-moment return of the Lord. This explains why the Apostles and the early church thought the return was imminent. The 2000 year delay is surprising, but God is longsuffering and wishes that none should perish (cf. 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). He tarries so that the church may fulfill the Great Commission (cf. Matt. 28:19-20; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8) and that the full number of believing Jews and believing Gentiles shall be gathered in (cf. Romans 11). The return is wonderful for believers, but a disaster of eternal consequences for unbelievers.

SPECIAL TOPIC: SOON RETURN

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DELAYED SECOND COMING

SPECIAL TOPIC: ANY MOMENT RETURN vs. NOT YET

▣ ["and pray"] These words are present in many ancient Greek uncial manuscripts, including א, A, C, K, L, W, X, but are missing in B and D and Old Latin translations. They very well might be original (cf. Peshitta and NKJV). The UBS⁴, however, gives the shorter reading a "B" rating (almost certain) because it thinks the phrase may have come from Mark 14:38 and was added by early Christian scribes.

SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM

▣ "the appointed time" This is not the term for chronological time chronos, which is not used in Mark, but the term for a special appointed time (kairos, cf. Mark 1:15). This refers to a major eschatological event. The question is which one:

1. the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple
2. the appearing of the Son of Man
3. the beginning of the New Age

Number one occurred in A.D. 70. Number two, in one sense, has already occurred (i.e., the incarnation and life of Jesus), but in another sense, is future (i.e., the consummation of the Kingdom of God at Jesus' Second Coming). Number three, like number two, has in some sense already occurred. Believers live in the already – not yet of the New Age, the Kingdom of God (cf. Fee and Stuart's How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, pp. 131-134).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DISCIPLES' QUESTIONS

13:34 "like a man away on a journey" This is common terminology for many of Jesus' parabolic teachings (cf. Mark 12:1; Matt. 21:33; 25:14; Luke 15:13; 19:12; 20:9). The issue is the time factor (cf. Mark 13:35-37). Given enough time, the true nature of people comes out. The delayed return causes people's true loyalties and priorities to manifest themselves. Matthew's Gospel expands these words in Matt. 24:42-51.

▣ "assigning to each one his task" This possibly relates to the gifts of the Spirit, listed in Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; and Ephesians 4. Christians will be judged (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10), but for what? Surely not for sins, because Jesus' blood forgives all sin (cf. Hebrews 9). Possibly Christians will give an account to God for the stewardship of the gospel and the use of their spiritual gift.

SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRITUAL GIFTS

This wording reflects the four Roman night watches of three hours each:

1. evening, 6 ‒ 9 p.m.
2. midnight, 9 p.m. ‒ midnight
3. cockcrow, 12:00 a.m. ‒ 3 a.m.
4. dawn, 3 ‒ 6 a.m.

13:37 See note at Mark 13:33.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. What is the basic purpose of this chapter?
2. Does Mark 13:4-7 describe the end time?
3. How is Daniel's prophecy of Daniel 7-12 related to the Second Coming?
4. Why does Jesus use apocalyptic language like Mark 13:24?
5. Can believers know when the Lord will come again?
6. Is the Second Coming: imminent, delayed, or time uncertain?
7. How could Jesus not know the time of His return?
8. Do you expect Jesus' return in your lifetime?

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