The Gospel According to St. Mark

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- Chapter 13 -

(Matthew 24:1–8; Luke 21:5–9)

And as he was departing from the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, observe these fine stones and fine structures.”

And in response, Jesus said to him: “Do you see all these great buildings? There shall not be left stone upon stone, which is not torn down.”

And as he sat at the Mount of Olives, opposite the temple, Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew questioned him privately.

“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things will begin to be fulfilled?”

And Jesus, answering, began to say to them: “See to it that no one leads you astray.

For many will come in my name, saying, ‘For I am he,’ and they will lead many astray.

But when you will have heard of wars and rumors of wars, you should not be afraid. For these things must be, but the end is not so soon.

For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom over kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are but the beginning of the sorrows.

Witnessing to All Nations

(Matthew 24:9–14; Luke 21:10–19)

But see to yourselves. For they will hand you over to councils, and in the synagogues you will be beaten, and you shall stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony for them.

And the Gospel must first be preached to all nations.

And when they have seized you and handed you over, do not consider in advance what to say. But whatever will be given you in that hour, say that. For you will not be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

Then brother will betray brother to death, and the father, a son; and children will rise up against their parents and will bring about their death.

And you will be hated by all for the sake of my name. But whoever will have persevered unto the end, the same will be saved.

The Abomination of Desolation

(Matthew 24:15–25; Luke 21:20–24)

Then, when you have seen the abomination of desolation, standing where it ought not to be, let the reader understand: then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

And let whoever is on the rooftop not descend to the house, nor enter so as to take anything from the house.

And let whoever may be in the field not return to take his garment.

But woe to those who are pregnant or nursing in those days.

Truly, pray that these things may not happen in winter.

For those days shall have such tribulations as have not been since the beginning of the creation that God founded, even until now, and shall not be.

And unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would be saved. But, for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened the days.

And then, if anyone will have said to you: ‘Behold, here is the Christ. Behold, in that place.’ Do not believe it.

For false Christs and false prophets will rise up, and they will present signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if it were possible, even the elect.

Therefore, you must take heed. Behold, I have foretold all to you.

The Return of the Son of Man

(Matthew 24:26–31; Luke 21:25–28)

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her splendor.(a)

And the stars of heaven will be falling down, and the powers that are in heaven will be moved.

And then they shall see the Son of man arriving on the clouds, with great power and glory.

And then he will send his Angels, and gather together his elect, from the four winds, from the limits of the earth, to the limits of heaven.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

(Matthew 24:32–35; Luke 21:29–33)

Now from the fig tree discern a parable. When its branch becomes tender and the foliage has been formed, you know that summer is very near.

So also, when you will have seen these things happen, know that it is very near, even at the doors.

Amen I say to you, that this lineage shall not pass away, until all these things have happened.(b)

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away.

Readiness at Any Hour

(Matthew 24:36–51; Luke 12:35–48)

But concerning that day or hour, no one knows, neither the Angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.(c)

Take heed, be vigilant, and pray. For you do not know when the time may be.

It is like a man who, setting out on a sojourn, left behind his house, and gave his servants authority over every work, and instructed the doorkeeper to stand watch.

Therefore, be vigilant, for you do not know when the lord of the house may arrive: in the evening, or in the middle of the night, or at first light, or in the morning.

Otherwise, when he will have arrived unexpectedly, he may find you sleeping.

But what I say to you, I say to all: Be vigilant.”

Footnotes

(a)13:24 The text does not say that the moon will not give any light, but that it will not be brilliant.(Conte)

(b)13:30 This generation or lineage, i.e. the human race.(Conte)

(c)13:32 Nor the Son:Not that the Son of God is absolutely ignorant of the day of judgment, but that he knows it not, as our teacher; that is, he knows it not so as to teach it to us, as not being expedient.(Challoner)

(Matthew 24:1–8; Luke 21:5–9)

As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!”

Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down.”

As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,

“Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?”

Jesus, answering, began to tell them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.

For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ (a) and will lead many astray.

“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet.

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains.

Witnessing to All Nations

(Matthew 24:9–14; Luke 21:10–19)

“But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.

The Good News must first be preached to all the nations.

When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

“Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.

The Abomination of Desolation

(Matthew 24:15–25; Luke 21:20–24)

“But when you see the abomination of desolation, (b) spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,

and let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house.

Let him who is in the field not return back to take his cloak.

But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days!

Pray that your flight won’t be in the winter.

For in those days there will be oppression, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be.

Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days.

Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it.

For false christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.

But you watch. “Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.

The Return of the Son of Man

(Matthew 24:26–31; Luke 21:25–28)

But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light,

the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. (c)

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

(Matthew 24:32–35; Luke 21:29–33)

“Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near;

even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors.

Most certainly I say to you, this generation (d) will not pass away until all these things happen.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Readiness at Any Hour

(Matthew 24:36–51; Luke 12:35–48)

“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.

“It is like a man traveling to another country, having left his house and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch.

Watch therefore, for you don’t know when the lord of the house is coming—whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning;

lest, coming suddenly, he might find you sleeping.

What I tell you, I tell all: Watch!”

Footnotes

(a)13:6 or, “I AM!”

(b)13:14 ℘ Daniel 9:17; 11:31; 12:11

(d)13:30 The word translated “generation” (genea) could also be translated “race”, “family”, or “people”.