Bible Commentaries
Mark 13

Verse 1

Manner of stones ; stones that were used in the building of the temple. These were immensely large. Josephus, the Jewish historian, who lived at that time, says some of them were twenty-five cubits long, eight thick, and twelve broad. The most firm and stable earthly structures are but temporary, and the most enduring earthly possessions come to an end. No one therefore should look to them as his chief good, or trust in them for happiness.

Verses 1-8

Destruction of the temple. Matthew 24:1-8 .

Verse 4

When all these things shall be fulfilled ; the things which he had predicted.

Verses 9-23

Persecutions foretold. Matthew 24:9-28 .

Verse 11

Take no thought ; avoid anxiety.

Neither do ye premeditate ; you need not prepare your defence beforehand.

The Holy Ghost ; will teach you what to say, and through you will speak the right things in the right way.

Verse 13

It is through much tribulation that Christians must enter the kingdom of God. But they should not be anxious. Let them be found at all times in the path of duty, and when trials come they may expect to be prepared for them. God will suffer no calamities to come upon them, except those which he will overrule for the advancement of his glory and their highest good.

Verse 14

Men must not only pray that God would help them, but they must make efforts to help themselves. God answers prayer in such a way as to encourage the performance of duty, not the neglect of it.

Verse 23

The minuteness and accuracy with which Jesus Christ foretold the events which preceded the destruction of Jerusalem, and the perfect fulfilment of his predictions with regard to it, are conclusive evidence that he is "the faithful and true Witness"-that when the word has gone out of his mouth, it standeth for ever. See Psalms 33:11 ; Isaiah 46:9-11 .

Verses 24-31

Christ’s coming. Matthew 24:29-35 .

Verse 30

All these things ; the things about which he had been speaking.

Verse 32

Neither the Son ; it was said to Mary, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore"-on account of his miraculous conception by the power of God-"that holy thing," or child "shall be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35 . The Son, as born of the Virgin Mary, or as man, might be said, in truth, not to know many things which the Word, who "was in the beginning with God, and was God," did know. John 1:1-3 . The day here spoken of was one of those things which the Son, as man, in the sense in which it is said, he "increased in wisdom," Luke 2:52 , did not know; as man, he neither knew, nor was commissioned to make it known. Nothing but the event would reveal it.

Verse 33

Watch and pray ; Matthew 24:42-44 .

Verse 35

The master of the house ; who here represents Jesus Christ. As we know not the time of our death, and no man can reveal it to us, duty and interest require that we should so live as to be always ready. Then, whether we die suddenly, or after lingering illness, no sooner shall we be "absent from the body," than we shall be "present with the Lord," beholding his glory and rejoicing in the fulness of his love.

Verse 36

Sleeping ; unprepared to meet him.

Verse 37

Watch ; that when your Lord shall come, you may be ready.