Mark 13
Summary. During this time, the Lord Jesus taught daily in the temple in Jerusalem, but at night, He went outside the city and lodged on Mount Olivet (see Luke 21:37-38). In this chapter, as the Lord Jesus was sitting with His disciples on the Mount of Olives, He answered their questions about the temple buildings, the signs of His coming, and the end of the age. The disciples at that time did not know when or what would happen to the temple buildings in Jerusalem, but now we know what happened to them. The Lord prophesied about the end times, but we don’t know when the end of the age will come, how the end of the age will come, or when the Lord will return. Nobody knows the time, but the Lord gives us various signs to watch for and prepare for those times if we live in them. The Lord gives us a few prominent signs and warnings in this chapter. 1) The destruction of the current temple of the Lord (the Bible) by changing the way to interpret the Bible, because they will claim they found new original texts for translating the Bible; because of this, many things in the original Bible will be changed to fit what they have found, and the fake bible will appear. 2) A new way to build a new temple for God according to the new fake bible to replace the old temple; but that will not bring praises to God, but will bring praises to men; the ones that will build it will claim they did it by their own intelligence (they used the fake new bible); there will be no need for God’s help to build the new temple; they will build God’s temple, but do not need God. 3) The abomination will start by replacing the true Bible and lifting up the new fake bible as the true one instead of the old one that the Lord has given to humans. What they will also change in the fake bible is to fit the description of where and how to build the new temple of God; the way we have the Bible now will no longer be used; the new fake bible will replace the true one throughout the world. 4) Other signs relate to people doing things with human intelligence and claiming that humans are more intelligent than God. Humans no longer need God to be in this world; this will be harder to accept for humans who still hold on to the true Bible. If the Lord wants to bring change, it will be a big war between humans. There will be two types of humans: those with black beliefs and those with white beliefs; not the color of skin referring to here, but the color of the mind, and there will be war: internal war in humans themselves.
[1]
And as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples says to Him, Teacher , behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings!
[2]
And Jesus said to him, Do you see these great buildings? There shall not be left here stone upon stone, which shall not be thrown down.
Comments Mark 13:1-2
For Mark 13:1-2, refer to Comments Matthew 24:1-2, and Comments Luke 21:5-6.
Q: How can we explain the differences in wording between the Gospels? For instance, Matthew 24:1-2 describes the disciples approaching the Lord Jesus, and the Lord responding to them, while Mark 13:1-2 mentions a single disciple speaking to the Lord and the Lord answering him. A: Yes, it is true the Gospels tell differently, but remember as well that the disciples go together to the Lord in a group. One of them approaches the Lord to ask questions, and the rest are behind. When the Lord Jesus answers, He answers to the one who asks, but the rest who are there also are part of listening as well. The Lord talks to one of them, but all understand. All are listening and are part of the conversation at the same time. The words might differ in some places in the Gospels, but the meaning does not change.
Q: How can we explain the differences in wording between the Gospels? For instance, Matthew 24:1-2 describes the disciples approaching the Lord Jesus, and the Lord responding to them, while Mark 13:1-2 mentions a single disciple speaking to the Lord and the Lord answering him. A: Yes, it is true the Gospels tell differently, but remember as well that the disciples go together to the Lord in a group. One of them approaches the Lord to ask questions, and the rest are behind. When the Lord Jesus answers, He answers to the one who asks, but the rest who are there also are part of listening as well. The Lord talks to one of them, but all understand. All are listening and are part of the conversation at the same time. The words might differ in some places in the Gospels, but the meaning does not change.
Comments Mark 13:2 In this place, the Lord Jesus tells us what will happen to the temple, and it did happen, but later on, not right away, not at that time.
[3]
And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked Him privately,
[4]
Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when these things are all about to be accomplished?
[5]
And Jesus began to say to them, Take heed lest anyone leads you astray.
[6]
Many will come in My name, saying, I am he; and they will lead many astray.
[7]
And when you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be not troubled; it must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
[8]
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in divers places; there will be famines. These are the beginning of travail.
[9]
But you take heed to yourselves; they will deliver you up to councils; and in synagogues you will be beaten; and before governors and kings you will stand for My sake, for a testimony to them.
[10]
And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations.
[11]
And when they lead you away, delivering you up, do not be anxious beforehand what you should speak; but whatever shall be given you in that hour, that speak; for it is not you that speak, but the Holy Spirit .
[12]
And brother will deliver up brother to death, and father child; and children will rise up against parents, and will put them to death.
[13]
And you will be hated by all on account of My name; but the one having endured to the end, he will be saved.
Comments Mark 13:3-13
For Mark 13:3-13, refer to Comments Matthew 24:3-14, and Comments Luke 21:7-19.
Comparison Analysis Mark 13:3-4, Matthew 24:3. See Comments Matthew 24:3. Q: In Mark, the disciples seem to be asking when events involving the temple will take place. In contrast, in Matthew, they are inquiring about the temple, the Lord Jesus’ second coming, and the end of the age. A: We should understand that the Gospel of Mark does not give the entire question that the disciples put to the Lord Jesus. Here in Mark, the disciples ask more about the timing of events. They put a more specific question, when it will happen, but the Lord will not tell the exact time; it is not for anyone to know the time. At that time, when the Lord Jesus was on earth and spoke to them, they could not know when it would happen. Still, now, when we read the Bible, we can understand more about these things. The time the Lord spoke about overlaps with our time; the time the Lord spoke about has come to pass; the destruction of the temple is history for us. The time of the past (the future events the Lord Jesus spoke about) and the time of now overlap each other. This is in the sense that what the Lord Jesus spoke about happened, and now we can know what happened; but for the person who was in the past, they didn’t have the chance to think the way we do now. Only now can people know what happened, but people at the time had no idea what the Lord Jesus was talking about. Also, the time of the past when the Lord Jesus was crucified and the time of now, when we expect His return, overlap for us in an unknown way as well. Now the overlap is clearer for us as well. Think of that time as they didn’t know that the Lord would be crucified, and now we don’t know the time of the Lord’s return. You can notice the overlap as we talk here about the overlap of the unknown, the times the Lord Jesus predicted. When the Lord spoke to them, they did not know the time of the destruction of the temple (it was unknown to them). At this time, we know about the destruction of the temple, but we don’t know about the time of the Lord Jesus’ second coming. This time is unknown now to us; this unknown time we call overlap.
Refer to “Comments on the temple of the Lord” in Comments Matthew 24:3. Now, the Bible is the Living Word of God, so it is His temple. He dwells in the Living Word, and people will try to change and destroy this temple (the Bible).
The circle of life. When the Lord Jesus was born on earth, the circle of life comes to completion: nothing that the Lord created will be completely wiped out; the Lord Jesus has already taken the part of the earth with Him when He rose in the body from the dead. The Lord was in human flesh when He rose. He ate fish, and the disciples saw His nail-pierced hands. The Lord Jesus’ glory covered that human body and carried that body up to heaven. The body of the Lord Jesus was transfigured, from the inner to come out (His heavenly body from inside his human body covered the human body), not transformed from the out into the inner; meaning that His human body did not change, but instead the inner body, the heavenly body, came out and covered the human body.
The connection. The Lord Jesus’ body is from the earth; the connection (the Heavenly Spirit) of His body and earth is here, and the Lord is here. When He, the Holy Spirit, returns, the earth will melt down. In human eyes, it will take a long time from the departure of the Holy Spirit from the earth until the return of the Lord Jesus, but in the Lord’s eyes, it is not long at all. But because of the mercy the Father has towards His created things, He has already spared the earth: His begotten Son has taken back with Him the part of the earth with Him. Imagine that part of the earth is in the Lord Jesus Himself; nothing will disappear completely; the Lord has already speared the earth. The circle of life is complete.
Mark 13:5-6, Matthew 24:4-5. Refer to Comments Matthew 24:4-5.
Mark 13:7-8, Matthew 24:6-8. The meaning of these verses from Scripture is consistent. For more details, refer to Comments Matthew 24:6-8. Here we can also add that the war is not just a physical war. Also, the war of the spiritual world will happen: how to take away the believers from the faith will start. There will not just be physical fighting, but the fighting of the mind will also appear. That is why the parents can put children to death. Inside human beings, changes will happen, and selfishness will cover the eyes of the heart; that is why families can betray each other. The Bible has already told us about these disasters. Words cannot describe what will happen in those times.
Mark 13:9, Matthew 24:9. See Comments Matthew 24:9. Maybe these verses use the words differently, but they both have the same meaning.
Mark 13:10, Matthew 24:14. See Comments Matthew 24:14. This is the place where we can take notice: there is no copy between the Gospels of Mark and Matthew. The purpose of the gospel is to be proclaimed all over the world. These days, there are still some places where people have never heard about the name of the Lord Jesus. The second coming of the Lord is not yet here; this sign must be fulfilled first.
Mark 13:11. Because of the work of the Holy Spirit, the name of the Lord Jesus will spread all over the earth. When everywhere humans have known about the Lord Jesus, this written here will happen.
Mark 13:12, Matthew 24:10. The meaning of this verse is clear. Q: Why will this kind of behavior happen? A: This verse shows the picture of things that will happen when people think of themselves only.
Mark 13:13, Matthew 24:13. “But the one having endured to the end, he will be saved.” In this verse, the Lord warns all humans to know so that when this time comes, it is no one’s fault but themselves because the Gospel has been proclaimed. Humans find excuses to say that it is not their fault they are not saved, but the Bible has already been spread everywhere. The people themselves walked by the Bible many times but never even looked at it. When the Word of God is spread all over the earth, in some places there will be resistance to it, but the end is not yet here; even though families will fight each other, the end is not here yet. However, if, in your heart, you are not wavering from the faith because of what you have seen happen to some people you know, you did not back off from the faith; those who can stand until the end will be saved.
Q: Can one lose salvation? A: If you do not stand in faith to the end, you can lose salvation. If you admit today the Lord Jesus, and trouble comes the next day, and you back off from the Lord, that is a betrayer’s action, and you will be cut off.
Comparison Analysis Mark 13:3-4, Matthew 24:3. See Comments Matthew 24:3. Q: In Mark, the disciples seem to be asking when events involving the temple will take place. In contrast, in Matthew, they are inquiring about the temple, the Lord Jesus’ second coming, and the end of the age. A: We should understand that the Gospel of Mark does not give the entire question that the disciples put to the Lord Jesus. Here in Mark, the disciples ask more about the timing of events. They put a more specific question, when it will happen, but the Lord will not tell the exact time; it is not for anyone to know the time. At that time, when the Lord Jesus was on earth and spoke to them, they could not know when it would happen. Still, now, when we read the Bible, we can understand more about these things. The time the Lord spoke about overlaps with our time; the time the Lord spoke about has come to pass; the destruction of the temple is history for us. The time of the past (the future events the Lord Jesus spoke about) and the time of now overlap each other. This is in the sense that what the Lord Jesus spoke about happened, and now we can know what happened; but for the person who was in the past, they didn’t have the chance to think the way we do now. Only now can people know what happened, but people at the time had no idea what the Lord Jesus was talking about. Also, the time of the past when the Lord Jesus was crucified and the time of now, when we expect His return, overlap for us in an unknown way as well. Now the overlap is clearer for us as well. Think of that time as they didn’t know that the Lord would be crucified, and now we don’t know the time of the Lord’s return. You can notice the overlap as we talk here about the overlap of the unknown, the times the Lord Jesus predicted. When the Lord spoke to them, they did not know the time of the destruction of the temple (it was unknown to them). At this time, we know about the destruction of the temple, but we don’t know about the time of the Lord Jesus’ second coming. This time is unknown now to us; this unknown time we call overlap.
Refer to “Comments on the temple of the Lord” in Comments Matthew 24:3. Now, the Bible is the Living Word of God, so it is His temple. He dwells in the Living Word, and people will try to change and destroy this temple (the Bible).
The circle of life. When the Lord Jesus was born on earth, the circle of life comes to completion: nothing that the Lord created will be completely wiped out; the Lord Jesus has already taken the part of the earth with Him when He rose in the body from the dead. The Lord was in human flesh when He rose. He ate fish, and the disciples saw His nail-pierced hands. The Lord Jesus’ glory covered that human body and carried that body up to heaven. The body of the Lord Jesus was transfigured, from the inner to come out (His heavenly body from inside his human body covered the human body), not transformed from the out into the inner; meaning that His human body did not change, but instead the inner body, the heavenly body, came out and covered the human body.
The connection. The Lord Jesus’ body is from the earth; the connection (the Heavenly Spirit) of His body and earth is here, and the Lord is here. When He, the Holy Spirit, returns, the earth will melt down. In human eyes, it will take a long time from the departure of the Holy Spirit from the earth until the return of the Lord Jesus, but in the Lord’s eyes, it is not long at all. But because of the mercy the Father has towards His created things, He has already spared the earth: His begotten Son has taken back with Him the part of the earth with Him. Imagine that part of the earth is in the Lord Jesus Himself; nothing will disappear completely; the Lord has already speared the earth. The circle of life is complete.
Mark 13:5-6, Matthew 24:4-5. Refer to Comments Matthew 24:4-5.
Mark 13:7-8, Matthew 24:6-8. The meaning of these verses from Scripture is consistent. For more details, refer to Comments Matthew 24:6-8. Here we can also add that the war is not just a physical war. Also, the war of the spiritual world will happen: how to take away the believers from the faith will start. There will not just be physical fighting, but the fighting of the mind will also appear. That is why the parents can put children to death. Inside human beings, changes will happen, and selfishness will cover the eyes of the heart; that is why families can betray each other. The Bible has already told us about these disasters. Words cannot describe what will happen in those times.
Mark 13:9, Matthew 24:9. See Comments Matthew 24:9. Maybe these verses use the words differently, but they both have the same meaning.
Mark 13:10, Matthew 24:14. See Comments Matthew 24:14. This is the place where we can take notice: there is no copy between the Gospels of Mark and Matthew. The purpose of the gospel is to be proclaimed all over the world. These days, there are still some places where people have never heard about the name of the Lord Jesus. The second coming of the Lord is not yet here; this sign must be fulfilled first.
Mark 13:11. Because of the work of the Holy Spirit, the name of the Lord Jesus will spread all over the earth. When everywhere humans have known about the Lord Jesus, this written here will happen.
Mark 13:12, Matthew 24:10. The meaning of this verse is clear. Q: Why will this kind of behavior happen? A: This verse shows the picture of things that will happen when people think of themselves only.
Mark 13:13, Matthew 24:13. “But the one having endured to the end, he will be saved.” In this verse, the Lord warns all humans to know so that when this time comes, it is no one’s fault but themselves because the Gospel has been proclaimed. Humans find excuses to say that it is not their fault they are not saved, but the Bible has already been spread everywhere. The people themselves walked by the Bible many times but never even looked at it. When the Word of God is spread all over the earth, in some places there will be resistance to it, but the end is not yet here; even though families will fight each other, the end is not here yet. However, if, in your heart, you are not wavering from the faith because of what you have seen happen to some people you know, you did not back off from the faith; those who can stand until the end will be saved.
Q: Can one lose salvation? A: If you do not stand in faith to the end, you can lose salvation. If you admit today the Lord Jesus, and trouble comes the next day, and you back off from the Lord, that is a betrayer’s action, and you will be cut off.
[14]
But when you see the abomination of the desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (the one reading, let him understand), then those in Judaea let them flee to the mountains,
[15]
and the one upon the housetop let him not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house;
[16]
and the one in the field let him not return to take his garment.
[17]
But woe to those in womb with child and to those that give suck in those days!
[18]
And pray you that it be not in the winter.
[19]
For those days will be tribulation, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never shall be.
[20]
And except the Lord had shortened the days, no any flesh there would have been saved; but on account of the elect whom He chose, He has shortened the days.
[21]
And then if anyone shall say to you, Behold, here is the Christ! Behold, there! Do not believe it.
[22]
For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will give signs and wonders, to deceive, if possible, the elect.
[23]
You however take heed; I have told you all things beforehand.
Comments Mark 13:14-23
For Mark 13:14-23, refer to Comments Matthew 24:15-28.
Passage Analysis
Note: For comments on the second coming of the Lord Jesus, refer to Comments Matthew 25:6, section Additional Notes on Timeline Events Related to the Second Coming of the Lord and End Time.
Mark 13:14-20, Matthew 24:15-22. See Comments Matthew 24:15 and Matthew 24:22.
“The abomination of the desolation.” In this place, the abomination itself, a person who has covered themselves with the dark and pretends to be the holy son himself, will perform miracles by dark powers, which will trick many believers. But for the ones that keep reading the true Word of God, the eyes of the heart will be open to see and understand, and will not fall into the trap of the dark side.
“But on account of the elect whom He chose, He has shortened the days.” This saying means a short period of time for the sake of the elect ones. As the Bible says, the Lord has shortened the time because humans’ eyes will see miracles performed by the false ones who come using the name of the Lord and lead away the mind and heart of people astray, but those are those who use the name but have not been used by the Lord God Almighty Himself. In those days, the ones who call themselves Christians would be the ones who go ahead and burn Bibles in front of people. All humans, watch out! All these will happen as the Bible has said, but when the eyes see these things, they will look even worse than written, because all humans perform them, not just the evil ones. As the Bible tells us, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, humans killing humans everywhere, but all evil will still not yet be ended by the hand of humans themselves. Keep the true Bible to your heart, and you will see the light.
Mark 13:21-22; Matthew 24:23-24. See Comments Matthew 24:3-5.
Mark 13:23; Matthew 24:25. The Bible already clearly tells us that people will come, read the Word of God, mix words, and declare that the time of the Lord Jesus’ return has not yet come. But when the abomination appears, that is the first step in judgment. Because of listening to the abomination, the Lord will begin pouring His wrath on the earth. Life will not be easy for humans in those times. The mind will find it hard to think what is true and what is fake, because the evil one has faked the bible for humans to read on. When you fake the bible, and read on, the mind will not see the true light of the Word of God. There is only one way to be safe: meditate on the Word of God. Don’t follow humans who come to teach you and lead you astray; nothing can compare to the real Word of God. The true Word of the Lord speaks not only when your eyes read the Word, but when you close your eyes, the voice of the Lord in your heart still talks and tells what it is; that is when the Lord speaks to your heart itself to know.
Passage Analysis
Note: For comments on the second coming of the Lord Jesus, refer to Comments Matthew 25:6, section Additional Notes on Timeline Events Related to the Second Coming of the Lord and End Time.
Mark 13:14-20, Matthew 24:15-22. See Comments Matthew 24:15 and Matthew 24:22.
“The abomination of the desolation.” In this place, the abomination itself, a person who has covered themselves with the dark and pretends to be the holy son himself, will perform miracles by dark powers, which will trick many believers. But for the ones that keep reading the true Word of God, the eyes of the heart will be open to see and understand, and will not fall into the trap of the dark side.
“But on account of the elect whom He chose, He has shortened the days.” This saying means a short period of time for the sake of the elect ones. As the Bible says, the Lord has shortened the time because humans’ eyes will see miracles performed by the false ones who come using the name of the Lord and lead away the mind and heart of people astray, but those are those who use the name but have not been used by the Lord God Almighty Himself. In those days, the ones who call themselves Christians would be the ones who go ahead and burn Bibles in front of people. All humans, watch out! All these will happen as the Bible has said, but when the eyes see these things, they will look even worse than written, because all humans perform them, not just the evil ones. As the Bible tells us, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, humans killing humans everywhere, but all evil will still not yet be ended by the hand of humans themselves. Keep the true Bible to your heart, and you will see the light.
Mark 13:21-22; Matthew 24:23-24. See Comments Matthew 24:3-5.
Mark 13:23; Matthew 24:25. The Bible already clearly tells us that people will come, read the Word of God, mix words, and declare that the time of the Lord Jesus’ return has not yet come. But when the abomination appears, that is the first step in judgment. Because of listening to the abomination, the Lord will begin pouring His wrath on the earth. Life will not be easy for humans in those times. The mind will find it hard to think what is true and what is fake, because the evil one has faked the bible for humans to read on. When you fake the bible, and read on, the mind will not see the true light of the Word of God. There is only one way to be safe: meditate on the Word of God. Don’t follow humans who come to teach you and lead you astray; nothing can compare to the real Word of God. The true Word of the Lord speaks not only when your eyes read the Word, but when you close your eyes, the voice of the Lord in your heart still talks and tells what it is; that is when the Lord speaks to your heart itself to know.
[24]
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,
[25]
and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
[26]
And then will they see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
[27]
And then He will send the angels, and will gather together His elect, from the four winds, from the end of earth to the end of heaven.
Comments Mark 13:24-27
For Mark 13:14-23, refer to Comments Matthew 24:29-31.
Mark 13:24-25, Matthew 24:29. See Comments Matthew 24:29.
Additional Explanations to the Comments in Matthew
Q: In the comments on Matthew 24:29, we discuss the idea that “two gaps of time are hidden in the time.” What does this mean? A: It is the same timeline, same moment, but two worlds are sharing that timeline. The world as we see it, and the parallel world, which also shares this time. Both times go parallel to each other, which is why we used the term ’a gap of time.’ It is the same time, but two worlds that share it; but they do not interfere with each other at all. Two gaps of time, because it is not the same world sharing the same time, the same moment. They overlap with each other and, between them, have created a gap of time that does not affect either. One world, one gap of time, the other world, another gap of time.
Notice the term that is used in these verses: “The moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven,” but where do the stars fall down to? They can’t fall on this earth; the earth will be destroyed. This is talking about another world. Here, this verse is clear. The human world will have great troubles. It will be difficult for humans to survive; this is a gap of time for this world to go through all the difficult times; another world we cannot know about, they have their gap of time.
Mark 13:26, Matthew 24:30. See Comments Matthew 24:30. In Comments Matthew 24:30, we clearly state that the majority will see the Son of Man coming in His glory as a vision, but the elect ones will see the Lord Jesus as He is.
Mark 13:27, Matthew 24:31. See Comments Matthew 24:31. The elect ones: these are those who will see the Lord Jesus as He is.
Mark 13:24-25, Matthew 24:29. See Comments Matthew 24:29.
Additional Explanations to the Comments in Matthew
Q: In the comments on Matthew 24:29, we discuss the idea that “two gaps of time are hidden in the time.” What does this mean? A: It is the same timeline, same moment, but two worlds are sharing that timeline. The world as we see it, and the parallel world, which also shares this time. Both times go parallel to each other, which is why we used the term ’a gap of time.’ It is the same time, but two worlds that share it; but they do not interfere with each other at all. Two gaps of time, because it is not the same world sharing the same time, the same moment. They overlap with each other and, between them, have created a gap of time that does not affect either. One world, one gap of time, the other world, another gap of time.
Notice the term that is used in these verses: “The moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven,” but where do the stars fall down to? They can’t fall on this earth; the earth will be destroyed. This is talking about another world. Here, this verse is clear. The human world will have great troubles. It will be difficult for humans to survive; this is a gap of time for this world to go through all the difficult times; another world we cannot know about, they have their gap of time.
Mark 13:26, Matthew 24:30. See Comments Matthew 24:30. In Comments Matthew 24:30, we clearly state that the majority will see the Son of Man coming in His glory as a vision, but the elect ones will see the Lord Jesus as He is.
Mark 13:27, Matthew 24:31. See Comments Matthew 24:31. The elect ones: these are those who will see the Lord Jesus as He is.
[28]
Now from the fig tree learn the parable: when its branch has already become tender, and it puts forth the leaves, you know that the summer is near;
[29]
even so you, when you see these things coming to pass, know that He is near, at the doors.
[30]
Truly I say to you, This generation will have not pass away, until all these things shall be accomplished.
[31]
The heaven and the earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
Comments Mark 13:28-31
For Mark 13:28-31, refer to Comments Matthew 24:32-35.
[32]
But of that day or the hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son , if not the Father .
[33]
Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.
[34]
As a man, sojourning in another country, having left his house, and having given authority to his servants, to each one his work, he commanded also the porter that he should watch.
[35]
Watch therefore: for you do not know when the lord of the house comes, or at evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or at morning;
[36]
lest having come suddenly, he should find you sleeping.
Comments Mark 13:32-37
For Mark 13:32-37, refer to Comments Matthew 24:36-51; however, the parable given here in Mark is unique on its own.
Passage Analysis
For comments on the second coming of the Lord Jesus, see the section titled “Additional Notes on Timeline Events Related to the Second Coming of the Lord and End Time” in Comments Matthew 25:6
Mark 13:32, Matthew 24:36. See Comments Matthew 24:36.
Mark 13:32-33. The Holy Spirit gives the message about the judgment day from the Father. The verses clearly state that no one knows that day or the hour. When the Father Himself will judge all souls, nobody knows when the Father wants to do that. As the Bible tells us, not even the beloved Son knows, so how can the things that have been created know? Watch out for those who claim the judgment day will come at this time or that time! You can say that that day will come, but no one can say when. There is only one way to be safe at this time: don’t try to impersonate the power on high to know that day; just stay in prayer and read the Word. The Father has already given the way out for all humans to be saved through the Lord Jesus, His beloved Son. Therefore, meditate and read the Word of God, and the heart will be open for all. You don’t need to be guessing when or how that day and hour will happen; all things will happen in their own time. As the Bible says, it can be “at evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or at morning.” So, all things will happen in their own time, but now, no one can say how or when.
Mark 13:34-35. The meaning here is that, in general, the Lord has given the authority to His servants. The servant is a person that is willing from deep within his soul to do the work for the Lord, to cut off from all the things of this world, to keep the eyes of the soul to the Lord and the ear of the soul listening to the order to go out and tell human beings, “the time has come, be aware!” But they will not tell what will happen. The servant’s duty is to warn people that the time is coming and stir up people’s hearts to be ready and turn to the Word of God to seek advice and direction. The responsibility to heed the servants’ warning rests with individual people. But if people stay thinking in their own minds without asking the Holy Spirit to guide their thoughts about that day to come, their minds will be led by what others around them are saying, and they will be confused. Those who are concerned about that day will have to be different and will have to stay in meditation at all times. The person (this person here refers to the persons that the servants ministered to) won’t understand how he can continue the work of the Lord; the person feels in his heart that he needs to do something, but he does not know what he needs to do, because he did not meditate in the Word, but just reading; to meditate includes to follow as well what the Lord has told in their hearts what they must do. The Word already tells you how to follow; if you meditate but don’t follow, you will not walk through the troubles until the end. Also, remember this time will be the hardest time on earth.
In this place, the porter is the person whom the Lord has called deep in their soul to do the work to guide the heart of the chosen ones. It will become a burden in their heart to do the work, and they can’t stop until they do the work. When the work is complete, in their heart and soul, they will find the peace of the Lord flowing through their soul. “He should watch” is a warning to the porter to be watching and alert as well.
The servant has a duty, but think of the house; who else could be there? There will be more people in the house. Each servant will do their own duty, and people around, not only the Jews now but all over the world, will have that chance to serve, but only if they open the ear and the heart of their soul to accept the Word and accept the authority above them, and humble themselves, and come to the Lord. The Lord never rejects anyone if sincerely they humble to Him.
Mark 13:36. This verse talks about those people who think they believe but lack in their way. Today, they are meditating, the next day, they stop, and the day after, they start meditating again. That is why the Bible tells us that “he should find you sleeping;” you need to be always alert.
Mark 13:37. This verse tells everyone, not only believers, but people all over the world, that they have the same chance to be watchful and do good and be saved. Amen!
Passage Analysis
For comments on the second coming of the Lord Jesus, see the section titled “Additional Notes on Timeline Events Related to the Second Coming of the Lord and End Time” in Comments Matthew 25:6
Mark 13:32, Matthew 24:36. See Comments Matthew 24:36.
Mark 13:32-33. The Holy Spirit gives the message about the judgment day from the Father. The verses clearly state that no one knows that day or the hour. When the Father Himself will judge all souls, nobody knows when the Father wants to do that. As the Bible tells us, not even the beloved Son knows, so how can the things that have been created know? Watch out for those who claim the judgment day will come at this time or that time! You can say that that day will come, but no one can say when. There is only one way to be safe at this time: don’t try to impersonate the power on high to know that day; just stay in prayer and read the Word. The Father has already given the way out for all humans to be saved through the Lord Jesus, His beloved Son. Therefore, meditate and read the Word of God, and the heart will be open for all. You don’t need to be guessing when or how that day and hour will happen; all things will happen in their own time. As the Bible says, it can be “at evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or at morning.” So, all things will happen in their own time, but now, no one can say how or when.
Mark 13:34-35. The meaning here is that, in general, the Lord has given the authority to His servants. The servant is a person that is willing from deep within his soul to do the work for the Lord, to cut off from all the things of this world, to keep the eyes of the soul to the Lord and the ear of the soul listening to the order to go out and tell human beings, “the time has come, be aware!” But they will not tell what will happen. The servant’s duty is to warn people that the time is coming and stir up people’s hearts to be ready and turn to the Word of God to seek advice and direction. The responsibility to heed the servants’ warning rests with individual people. But if people stay thinking in their own minds without asking the Holy Spirit to guide their thoughts about that day to come, their minds will be led by what others around them are saying, and they will be confused. Those who are concerned about that day will have to be different and will have to stay in meditation at all times. The person (this person here refers to the persons that the servants ministered to) won’t understand how he can continue the work of the Lord; the person feels in his heart that he needs to do something, but he does not know what he needs to do, because he did not meditate in the Word, but just reading; to meditate includes to follow as well what the Lord has told in their hearts what they must do. The Word already tells you how to follow; if you meditate but don’t follow, you will not walk through the troubles until the end. Also, remember this time will be the hardest time on earth.
In this place, the porter is the person whom the Lord has called deep in their soul to do the work to guide the heart of the chosen ones. It will become a burden in their heart to do the work, and they can’t stop until they do the work. When the work is complete, in their heart and soul, they will find the peace of the Lord flowing through their soul. “He should watch” is a warning to the porter to be watching and alert as well.
The servant has a duty, but think of the house; who else could be there? There will be more people in the house. Each servant will do their own duty, and people around, not only the Jews now but all over the world, will have that chance to serve, but only if they open the ear and the heart of their soul to accept the Word and accept the authority above them, and humble themselves, and come to the Lord. The Lord never rejects anyone if sincerely they humble to Him.
Mark 13:36. This verse talks about those people who think they believe but lack in their way. Today, they are meditating, the next day, they stop, and the day after, they start meditating again. That is why the Bible tells us that “he should find you sleeping;” you need to be always alert.
Mark 13:37. This verse tells everyone, not only believers, but people all over the world, that they have the same chance to be watchful and do good and be saved. Amen!
Life and Faith Applications. 1) The Bible is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Treasure the Bible and choose a good Bible translation that holds to the original text. For every Bible we want to treasure, make sure we pray about it first; the Bible will touch the heart, and you will feel inside of you if that is the right one for you. If you find one, treasure it more than life and don’t trade it for anything else; not the Bible look, which counts; it counts if that Bible talks to your heart. Make sure to let your family know that the Bible is important to you. 2) No one knows the time of the Lord’s return; do not listen to anyone who claims to know that time; just meditate on the Word, and the Lord will speak to you about all things. 3) Be watchful and meditate constantly on the Word. Amen!