Bible Commentaries
Mark 13

Introduction

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

1 Christ foretelleth the destruction of the temple:

9 the persecutions of the Gospel:

10 that the Gospel must be preached to all nations:

14 that great calamities shall happen to the Jews:

24 and the manner of his coming to judgment:

32 the hour whereof being known to none, every man is to watch and pray, that we be not found unprovided when he cometh to each one particularly by death.

In this chapter St. Mark gives an abridgment of the discourse delivered by our Lord, as recorded in the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth chapters of St. Matthew; on which, see the notes. On a few passages, only, where variety presents itself, will it be necessary to add any remark.

Verse 1

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

What manner of stones. — Many of them were of white marble, twenty-five cubits long, eight broad, and twelve deep; the cubit being about twenty-two inches of our measure. And what buildings! Not merely the temple, but the edifices connected with it; and very probably the terraces built to enlarge Mount Moriah and support the temple, of three hundred cubits high.

Verse 9

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

They shall deliver you up to councils. — The sanhedrim, or great council, or the inferior councils of twenty-one, or that of three, attached to each synagogue.

In the synagogues ye shall be beaten. — The synagogues were courts of justice as well as places of worship; and the punishment of “forty stripes save one” was inflicted in them. The more correct rendering of the verse, however, is, for they shall deliver you up to councils and to synagogues, and ye shall be beaten.

Rulers and kings. — Governors of provinces, as Felix and Festus; and kings, as Herod, Agrippa, Nero, Domitian, &c. For a testimony against them, against their errors, idolatries, and persecuting cruelty; and even the very blood of the innocent cries out against an unjust judge. The fate of persecutors, whether individuals or nations, is a striking comment upon these words.

Verse 11

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

But when they shall lead you. — Οταν δε αγαγωσιν υμας , a forensic phrase, signifying prosecute you, and arraign you before the bar. So agere, and actio, among the Latins.

Take no thought beforehand. — See notes on Matthew 10:17, &c. These words, first used on a former occasion, but with reference to precisely the same circumstances, were here repeated.

Neither premeditate. — Μελεταν signifies to compose a speech by previous study.

Verse 19

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

From the beginning of the creation which God created. — St. Matthew says simply “the beginning of the world.” The meaning is the same, only more emphatic.

Verse 32

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

But of that day and hour, &c. — See note on Matthew 24:36.

Verse 34

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

For the Son of man, &c. — This parable is in substance the same as several recorded by other evangelists; but differs somewhat in circumstances. Authority is given to the servants, that is, power to trade with and improve certain portions of the master’s property; a usual mode of employing servants in the east, during the absence of the master: and to every man his work, so that none was suffered to be idle; which may teach us that there is a work for each of us, and if we know it not, we are either blind or idle, but cannot be held guiltless upon our Lord’s return. And among the rest, the porter was commanded to watch, lest the mansion should be broken open, and the goods damaged or stolen. This was his employ. All the servants being thus appointed to their posts, as in a well ordered family, they were commanded to watch, that is, to be always attentive to this certain result, that their master would return, though at an uncertain time, to call every servant to account, and deal with him according to his conduct. See the notes on Matthew 25:14-30.

Verse 35

Watson - Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark

Cockcrowing — Here denotes the third watch of the night, or three o’clock in the morning.