Mark 13 - End Times - Commentary

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Mark 13:1-37

Here we will do a verse by verse study through the gospel of Mark’s account of the End Times. Mark’s gospel focuses on a brief account of the things that have happened in Jesus’ ministry.

Mark 13:1-4 Context - Here we have the framing of the entire chapter. This establishes the context that Jesus is speaking within the entirety of the chapter. As Jesus and the disciples are leaving the temple mount. They point out how great the structures of the Herodian Temple are. Remember the temple is the Holy Place, where God dwells, for the Jewish Nation. As Herod did a considerable amount of work by adding on the to the temple. However, Jesus shifts their focus. He affirms the grandeur of the buildings but then prophecies the destruction of the temple. The walk from the temple mount to the Mount of Olives is not very far. But now as they sit and ask Jesus to explain what He just told them. It seems that they had collectively wondered two things. 1) When will this happen. 2) What are the signs before this happens. Both Matt 24 and Luke 21 speak this exact account of Mark 13. Although we can pull more meaning from the other accounts that focus on arguably more detail. I would like to try and focus on this Mark account alone for this study. Then draw comparisons and parallels.

Mark 13:5 Jesus opens with a sobering warning. “Watch out that no one deceives you!” Mk 13:5. As we just established the context of this chapter. 1) When will this happen. 2) What are the signs before this happens. The first statement from our Lord is a surroundings deception regarding these events. With a warning to His followers to watch out so that we are not deceived by anyone.

Mark 13:6 Likely a type of the deception that Jesus mentions in verse 5. False self proclaiming messiahs will arise to deceive the masses is one possible option. The question though is raised. Why would any followers of Christ begin to follow another? It could also mean that people claim to represent Christ. Where they are coming in His name to deceive. However, I believe both are applicable.

Mark 13:7 Wars and rumors of wars seems simple enough to understand. Regionally, we most likely have had these since Jesus gave this message. Something that must take place but “the end is not yet”.

Mark 13:8 Nation will rise up against nation. Kingdom will rise up against Kingdom. There will be famines. There will be earthquakes in various place. At face value this is easy to understand and does seem to teach a larger then regional effect. They are compared to a beginning of birth pains. Looking into the past we have much evidence that these 4 kinds of birth pains have happened. What we don't know is if they could possible get worse. There are certainly not the things we want to come to pass. But however uncomfortable they are. Our hope is in Jesus.

Mark 13:9 Refocusing our subject as the followers of Christ. We also are introduced to another group “they”. Another warning of watching out. A wide scale persecution of disciples will occur. Both in governments and religious settings there will be a testing because of the name of Christ. What is interesting but obvious to note here. These are Christians suffering at the hands of the world. Jesus is focusing on what the signs are before the destruction of the temple. That Christians will be a witness to governors and kings.

Mark 13:10 “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.” Hopefully we see the importance of this verse. Jesus had a very specific goal coming to earth. His ministry was as the suffering servant where He would be the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. He would then commission His closest followers to go and make disciples (Matt 28:18-19). Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. I can almost imagine sitting on the mount of Olives as Jesus addresses this question from His friends. Hanging on every word that He speaks. Just wondering how this message that the Christ has given me will go into all the nations. You may not be sitting on the Mount of Olives with me right now or even in the land of Israel. But now 2,000 years later we, as Christians, are living proof of the authority of Jesus’ words. Thanks be to God!

Mark 13:11 Persecution will lead to testimony. The live of a believer is undoubtedly difficult. This time period will be no exception. Christians will be arrested for their love for God but God will use this as a testimony for His glory. As the unjust trial was held before Jesus’ crucifixion. Likewise, these believers will enter into a “trial” themselves. Yet, these are words of comfort. Do not be anxious beforehand what you should say. When you stand before "governors and kings” (Mark 13:9), the Holy Spirit will give us the words to speak.

Mark 13:12 Surely we don't want to imagine anything like this to happen. When we look at Muslim converts to Christ and hear the stories of their own families giving them over to death. It’s hard to bear. Christian, our hope is in Christ and Him alone. Though we loose everything and are families betray us. Christ our King will not leave us or forsake us. These are some of the most challenging words in scripture. Yet, our Lord has spoken them for a reason.

Mark 13:13 We read in John 15 that the world will hate us because of the name of Christ. As they reject God they will likewise reject the people of God. Mark could be recording a reiteration of that or something deeper. Given the last verse. I would say the latter. This is likely still the “birth pains of the end”. Which seemingly is a specific time period on earth that would allow a specific kind of hatred described here. The endurance mentioned focuses on “until the end”. As I just mention Mark 13:7, Jesus’ seems to be focusing on an over all theme with this teaching. Originally, being asked about the destruction of temple, 1) When will this happen. 2) What are the signs before this happens. Now encompasses this “end” within the temple destruction. Endurance is a common theme within the NT. We could also have a specific time period that requires a deeper kind of endurance that is in spite of what we just looked at with the specific kind of hatred. Clearly, we have a challenging verse to understand. But this interpretation seems to fit the overall context of this chapter.

Mark 13:14 The Abomination of Desolation or AoD is a reference to the book of Daniel. In Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11 the AoD is mentioned and involves the the antichrist figure (which seems to be widely accepted) create then break that covenant by stopping the daily sacrifices and set up the abomination that causes desolation. This is a very brief summary and I will be dedicating an entire video on important topic. What we see from Jesus’ comment surrounding the AoD, “let the one who reads understand” (this is also mentioned in Matthew). This is compelling evidence that the simple interpretation here is correct. Whoever reads. Understand. Will will not need any doctoral dissertation in order to interpret what Jesus is referring to. No one will need to share their private interpretation to figure this out. After all, Jesus open this entire commentary with a sobering warning. “Watch out that no one deceives you!” Mk 13:5. Indicating there will be deception surrounding these events. But bringing clarity for His followers, “let the one who reads understand”. I have dealt in detail the problem with the preterist view regarding fulfilled prophecy in my Matthew commentary. But the clarity given by Jesus seems to be a weak point in my perspective of the view.

Mark 13:15

Mark 13:1-3

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