Mark 13:1-13, Verse-by-Verse (1)

With this post we begin to work our way verse-by-verse through Mark 13.

·       13:1-2: Again, the setting for Jesus’ Olivet Discourse is Jesus’ response to the disciples amazement at the buildings on the Temple Mount.  “Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

·       13:3-4: In turn, the disciples (or specifically the two sets of brothers) ask Jesus about when this will happen.  In Mark’s case: When will these things be?  And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?  The questions are critical to understanding the Discourse, and in Mark’s case, we have noted how important the term “fulfilled” is in understanding the scope of Jesus’ answers.  We can see that 70AD is part of Jesus’ answer but He speaks of more than that event.

I also think it is important to note that the context for all this is “Old Testament.”  What I mean is, it is before the cross, before the birth of the Church at Pentecost.  True, the Twelve will be the foundation of the Church but they are also men who belong to the Father whom He gives to His Son (John 17:6).  My point is this: Jesus speaks of things that sound like, and I believe occur in the age of the Church, the time in which Jesus elsewhere says He is building His Church (Mt. 16:18).  But we should not be surprised that He also refers to His future earthly Kingdom and events or “signs” that address that event.  This is certainly on the minds of the disciples as they ask their questions.  In their approx. 3 years with Jesus the “plan” has taken some twists and turns, given the rejection by the leaders and Jesus’ recent warnings of His upcoming death and resurrection.  The announcement that the temple is going to be destroyed brings another question, since they rightly expect that both they and the nation of Israel will have a rule in Jesus’ kingdom.

·       13:5-6,22-23: The purpose for the discourse is found at the beginning and the end.  Jesus is not just answering questions, satisfying curiosity.  He is answering their questions so as to encourage them to be faith and not to be deceived.  For one thing, they are going to go through things they had never imagined.  That could be the cause of stumbling along the way.  But even more important, Jesus warns that their will be “many” who will set out to deceive them.  Some will claim to be Him!  False Christs!  Others will claim to speak in His name or with His authority (false prophets).  Some will even perform “signs and wonders” to substantiate their claim to this authority.  Whether they do these things in Satanic power or by “sleight of hand,” it will be convincing, enough as deceive the elect if that were possible.  So imagine, one of the apostles in prison for his preaching, for refusing to bow to Caesar.  And along comes someone who claims to have a word from Jesus, that Jesus wants them to be peaceable with the Romans.  There might be a lot of reason to accept that word.  So, Jesus warns them ahead of time what is coming, so that they will “take heed.”  Jesus’ words are an encouragement for those asking the questions, and for us who come after them.