Bible Commentaries

Verses 1-37

A casual remark from the lips of one of the disciples drew from Jesus words full of solemnity and full of hope. This stately building was to be destroyed. 1t- was already destroyed in the eyes of Christ by the corruption, the impurity, the blasphemy sheltered within its walls. And yet to those who are with Him, what matter? The Temple is gone, but God abideth, and in Christ by the Spirit is ever near hearts that seek Him. No more long pilgrimages to worship. There where thou art, He is. Then worship!

The account of these final discourses of the Lord are much more fully given and dealt with in Matthew and the notes thereon. The special point of interest for us lies in the closing part of the chapter, from verse Mar 13:31 to the end. The Lord made three statements closely connected and yet perfectly distinct.

1. He announced the abiding character of His words.

2. He most clearly said that only the Father knows of that day and hour, referring to the question of the disciples as to the time when all things should be fulfilled.

3. He declared the true attitude of His people, Watch":

Let the door be on the latch