Print Page Options Listen to Mark 13

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple(A)

13 Then (B)as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? (C)Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age(D)

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, (E)Peter, (F)James, (G)John, and (H)Andrew asked Him privately, (I)“Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”

And Jesus, answering them, began to say: (J)“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and (K)kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines [a]and troubles. (L)These are the beginnings of [b]sorrows.

“But (M)watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will [c]be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 And (N)the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 (O)But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, [d]or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, (P)but the Holy Spirit. 12 Now (Q)brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 (R)And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But (S)he who [e]endures to the end shall be saved.

The Great Tribulation(T)

14 (U)“So when you see the (V)‘abomination of desolation,’ [f]spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then (W)let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 (X)But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 (Y)For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

21 (Z)“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and (AA)wonders to deceive, if possible, even the [g]elect. 23 But (AB)take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.

The Coming of the Son of Man(AC)

24 (AD)“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be (AE)shaken. 26 (AF)Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His [h]elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

The Parable of the Fig Tree(AG)

28 (AH)“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that [i]it is near—at the doors! 30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but (AI)My words will by no means pass away.

No One Knows the Day or Hour(AJ)

32 “But of that day and hour (AK)no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the (AL)Father. 33 (AM)Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 (AN)It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave (AO)authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 (AP)Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

Footnotes

  1. Mark 13:8 NU omits and troubles
  2. Mark 13:8 Lit. birth pangs
  3. Mark 13:9 NU, M stand
  4. Mark 13:11 NU omits or premeditate
  5. Mark 13:13 bears patiently
  6. Mark 13:14 NU omits spoken of by Daniel the prophet
  7. Mark 13:22 chosen ones
  8. Mark 13:27 chosen ones
  9. Mark 13:29 Or He

Things to Come

13 As He was coming out of the temple [grounds], one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look what [a]wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!”(A) Jesus replied to him, “You see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left on another which will not be [b]torn down!”

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked Him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be fulfilled?” Jesus began to say to them, “Be careful and see to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name [misusing My name or claiming to be the Messiah], saying, ‘I am He!’ and will deceive and mislead many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed (frightened, troubled); these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These things are the beginning of the [c]birth pangs [the intolerable anguish and suffering].

“But be on your guard; they will turn you over to courts, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand [as accused] before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. 10 The gospel [that is, the good news regarding the way of salvation] must first be preached to all the [Gentile] nations.(B) 11 When they take you and turn you over [to the court], do not worry beforehand about what to say, but say whatever is given to you [by God] in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit [who will speak through you]. 12 Brother will betray brother to [be put to] death, and a father [will hand over] his child; and children will rise up and take a stand against parents and have them put to death. 13 You will be hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name, but the one who [patiently perseveres empowered by the Holy Spirit and] endures to the end, he will be saved.

14 “But when you see the [d]abomination of desolation standing [in the temple sanctuary] where it ought not to be (let the [e]reader understand) then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.(C) 15 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down [to enter the house], or go inside to take anything out of his house; 16 whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 17 And woe to those women who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 Pray that it will not occur in winter, 19 for at that time there will be such tribulation as has not occurred, from the beginning of the creation which God made, until now—and never will [be again]. 20 And if the Lord had not shortened the days, no human life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose [for Himself], He shortened the days.(D) 21 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it; 22 for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will provide signs and wonders in order to deceive, if [such a thing were] possible, even the elect [those God has chosen for Himself]. 23 But be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance.

The Return of Christ

24 “But in those days, after [the suffering and distress of] that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,(E) 25 and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.(F) 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory [in royal majesty and splendor].(G) 27 And then He will send out the angels, and will gather together His elect [those He has chosen for Himself] from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and it puts out its leaves, you recognize that summer is near.(H) 29 Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, know [for certain] that He is near, right at the door. 30 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth [as now known] will [f]pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32 But of that [exact] day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son [in His humanity], but the Father alone.

33 “Be on guard and stay constantly alert [g][and pray]; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. 34 It is like a man away on a journey, who when he left home put his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and also ordered the doorkeeper to be continually alert. 35 Therefore, be continually on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 [stay alert,] in case he should come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep and unprepared. 37 What I say to you I say to everyone, ‘Be on the alert [stay awake and be continually cautious]!’”

Footnotes

  1. Mark 13:1 The massive size and polished surfaces of the fitted stones that formed the temple structure created a magnificent sight (cf Luke 21:5). The refurbishing of the temple was begun by Herod the Great in 20 b.c. and was completed in a.d. 64 by Herod Agrippa II. The rabbis had a saying: “Whoever has not seen the temple of Herod has never seen a beautiful building” (as quoted from the Talmud). They also said that Herod built it of yellow, white, and perhaps blue marble; and that he intended to cover it with gold, but the rabbis advised him not to because it was beautiful just as it was, looking like the waves of the sea.
  2. Mark 13:2 In a.d. 70, just six years after the temple complex was completed, it was destroyed by the Roman general Titus and his army, who thoroughly devastated Jerusalem.
  3. Mark 13:8 The Jews used this phrase to describe the unprecedented trouble that would occur prior to Messiah’s advent (as recorded in the Talmud).
  4. Mark 13:14 I.e. the detestable one who desecrates the temple. See note Matt 24:15.
  5. Mark 13:14 I.e. the reader of the book of Daniel (cf Matt 24:15). Jesus is indicating that the final fulfillment of this prophecy is yet to come.
  6. Mark 13:31 See Rev 21:1, “...the first heaven and the first earth passed away....”
  7. Mark 13:33 One early ms adds “and pray.”

13 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. 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11 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. 12 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. 13 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.

14 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 Judæa flee to the mountains: 15 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: 16 and let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. 17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. 19 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. 20 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. 21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 for false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 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.

28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29 so ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. 30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 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. 35 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: 36 lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

13 Of the destruction of Jerusalem. 9 Persecutions for the Gospel. 10 The Gospel must be preached to all nations. 26 Of Christ’s coming to judgment. 33 We must watch and pray.

(A)And [a]as he went out of the Temple, one of his disciples said unto him, Master, see what manner stones, and what manner buildings are here.

(B)Then Jesus answered and said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon a stone, that shall not be thrown down.

And as he sat on the mount of Olives, over against the Temple, Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew asked him secretly,

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

And Jesus answered them, and began to say, (C)Take heed lest any man deceive you.

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

Furthermore when ye shall hear of wars, and rumors 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 quarters, and there shall be famine and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

But take ye heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to the Councils, and to the Synagogues: ye shall be beaten, and brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a [b]testimonial unto them.

10 And the Gospel must first be published among all nations.

11 (D)But when they lead you, and deliver you up, [c]be not careful before hand, [d]neither study what ye shall say: but what is given you at the same time, that speak: for it is not you that speak, but the holy Ghost.

12 Yea, and the brother shall deliver the brother to death, and the father the son, and the children shall rise against their parents, and shall cause them to die.

13 And ye shall be hated of all men [e]for my Name’s sake: but whosoever shall endure unto the end, he shall be saved.

14 (E)Moreover, when ye shall see the abomination of desolation (spoken of by (F)Daniel the Prophet) [f]set where it ought not, (let him that readeth, consider it) then let them that be in Judea, flee into the mountains.

15 And let him that is upon the house, not come down into the house, neither enter therein, to fetch anything out of his house.

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

17 Then woe shall be to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days.

18 Pray therefore that your flight be not in the winter.

19 For [g]those days shall be such tribulation, as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, which he hath chosen, he hath shortened those days.

21 Then (G)if any man say to you, Lo, here is Christ, or lo, he is there, believe it not.

22 For false Christs shall rise, and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, to deceive if it were possible the very elect.

23 But take ye heed: behold, I have showed you all things before.

24 Moreover in those days, after that tribulation, (H)the sun shall wax dark, and the moon shall not give her light,

25 And the stars of heaven shall fall: and the powers which are in heaven, shall shake.

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

27 (I)And he shall then send his Angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, and from the utmost part of the earth to the utmost part of heaven.

28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree. When her bough is yet tender, and it bringeth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near.

29 So in like manner, when ye see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is near, even at the doors.

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

31 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

32 [h]But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the Angels which are in heaven, neither the Son himself, but the Father.

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

34 For the Son of man is as a man going into a strange country, and leaveth his house, and giveth authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commandeth the porter to watch.

35 Watch ye therefore, (for ye know not when the master of the house will come, at even, or at midnight, at the cock crowing, or in the dawning,)

36 Lest if he come suddenly, he should find you sleeping.

37 And those things that I say unto you, I say unto all men, Watch.

Footnotes

  1. Mark 13:1 The destruction of the Temple, city, and whole nation is aforetold, and the troubles of the Church, but yet there are annexed many comforts, and last of all, the end of the world is described.
  2. Mark 13:9 The hearing of you preaching shall be a most evident witness against them, so that they shall not be able to pretend ignorance.
  3. Mark 13:11 We are not forbidden to think beforehand, but pensive carefulness whereby men discourage themselves, which proceedeth from distrust, and want of confidence and sure hope of God’s assistance: that carefulness we are willed to beware of, see also Matt. 6:27.
  4. Mark 13:11 By any kind of artificial and cunning kind of tale what to speak.
  5. Mark 13:13 For me.
  6. Mark 13:14 When the heathen and profane people shall not only enter into the Temple, and defile both it and the city, but also clean destroy it.
  7. Mark 13:19 This is a kind of speech which the Hebrews use, and it hath a great force in it, for it giveth us to understand that in all that time one misery shall so follow upon another, as if the time itself were very misery itself: So the Prophet Amos, 5:20 saith, that the day of the Lord shall be darkness.
  8. Mark 13:32 The latter day is not curiouly to be searched for which the Father alone knoweth: but let us rather take heed, that it come not upon us unaware.

13 And as he is going forth out of the temple, one of his disciples saith to him, `Teacher, see! what stones! and what buildings!'

and Jesus answering said to him, `Seest thou these great buildings? there may not be left a stone upon a stone, that may not be thrown down.'

And as he is sitting at the mount of the Olives, over-against the temple, Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, were questioning him by himself,

`Tell us when these things shall be? and what [is] the sign when all these may be about to be fulfilled?'

And Jesus answering them, began to say, `Take heed lest any one may lead you astray,

for many shall come in my name, saying -- I am [he], and many they shall lead astray;

and when ye may hear of wars and reports of wars, be not troubled, for these behove to be, but the end [is] not 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; beginnings of sorrows [are] these.

`And take ye heed to yourselves, for they shall deliver you up to sanhedrims, and to synagogues, ye shall be beaten, and before governors and kings ye shall be set for my sake, for a testimony to them;

10 and to all the nations it behoveth first that the good news be proclaimed.

11 `And when they may lead you, delivering up, be not anxious beforehand what ye may speak, nor premeditate, but whatever may be given to you in that hour, that speak ye, for it is not ye who are speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

12 `And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and father child, and children shall rise up against parents, and shall put them to death,

13 and ye shall be hated by all because of my name, but he who hath endured to the end -- he shall be saved.

14 `And when ye may see the abomination of the desolation, that was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (whoever is reading let him understand), then those in Judea, let them flee to the mountains;

15 and he upon the house-top, let him not come down to the house, nor come in to take anything out of his house;

16 and he who is in the field, let him not turn to the things behind, to take up his garment.

17 `And wo to those with child, and to those giving suck, in those days;

18 and pray ye that your flight may not be in winter,

19 for those days shall be tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the creation that God created, till now, and may not be;

20 and if the Lord did not shorten the days, no flesh had been saved; but because of the chosen, whom He did choose to Himself, He did shorten the days.

21 `And then, if any may say to you, Lo, here [is] the Christ, or, Lo, there, ye may not believe;

22 for there shall rise false Christs and false prophets, and they shall give signs and wonders, to seduce, if possible, also the chosen;

23 and ye, take heed; lo, I have foretold you all things.

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

25 and the stars of the heaven shall be falling, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken.

26 `And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in clouds with much power and glory,

27 and then he shall send his messengers, and gather together his chosen from the four winds, from the end of the earth unto the end of heaven.

28 `And from the fig-tree learn ye the simile: when the branch may already become tender, and may put forth the leaves, ye know that nigh is the summer;

29 so ye, also, when these ye may see coming to pass, ye know that it is nigh, at the doors.

30 Verily I say to you, that this generation may not pass away till all these things may come to pass;

31 the heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

32 `And concerning that day and the hour no one hath known -- not even the messengers who are in the heaven, not even the Son -- except the Father.

33 Take heed, watch and pray, for ye have not known when the time is;

34 as a man who is gone abroad, having left his house, and given to his servants the authority, and to each one his work, did command also the porter that he may watch;

35 watch ye, therefore, for ye have not known when the lord of the house doth come, at even, or at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or at the morning;

36 lest, having come suddenly, he may find you sleeping;

37 and what I say to you, I say to all, Watch.'