Mark 13

Passage overview

Mark 13 begins with the backdrop of the Jerusalem temple. When Jesus and His disciples come out of the temple, a disciple mentions its grandeur, and Jesus says that a day will come when the temple will be completely brought down. Because of this, the disciples ask Jesus, “When will all these things happen?” along with what the signs will be. This is an important question related to the last days that will be addressed in this chapter.

1verseAs he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!”

2verseJesus 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.”

3verseAs he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,

4verse“Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?”

5verseJesus, answering, began to tell them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.

6verseFor many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and will lead many astray.

7verse“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet.

8verseFor 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.

9verse“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.

10verseThe Good News must first be preached to all the nations.

11verseWhen 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.

12verse“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.

13verseYou will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.

14verse“But when you see the abomination of desolation, 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,

15verseand let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house.

16verseLet him who is in the field not return back to take his cloak.

17verseBut woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days!

18versePray that your flight won’t be in the winter.

19verseFor 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.

20verseUnless 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.

21verseThen if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it.

22verseFor false christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.

23verseBut you watch. “Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.

24verseBut in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light,

25versethe stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.

26verseThen they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

27verseThen 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.

28verse“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;

29verseeven so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors.

30verseMost certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen.

31verseHeaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

32verse“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

33verseWatch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.

34verse“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.

35verseWatch 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;

36verselest, coming suddenly, he might find you sleeping.

37verseWhat I tell you, I tell all: Watch!”

Jesus' Warning About the Signs

Jesus speaks about several end-times signs—such as the appearance of false Christs, wars and rumors, and earthquakes and famines—and asks them not to assume that these events mean the end is near just by seeing them. He then emphasizes that even though the disciples will face persecution because of Jesus' name, the gospel must still be proclaimed to all nations.

Great Tribulation and the Coming of the Son of Man

In this chapter, the verse about “the abomination of desolation” being set up in the temple (verse 14) appears, and it warns that there will be an unprecedented great tribulation afterward. However, the days of that tribulation will be shortened for the sake of the elect, and then comes an ongoing reference to the Second Coming—namely, the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. Jesus emphasizes the certainty of the Son of Man’s words more than changes in the heavens and the earth.

Stay Awake: Lessons About the End

Through the parable of the fig tree, Jesus teaches that people can discern the times and seasons. However, He makes clear that no one knows the exact day or hour—only God the Father knows it. Therefore, He repeatedly urges, “Stay awake.” This is not just about having curiosity regarding the timing of the end; it means adopting a practical attitude of staying alert, being prepared, and living in faith.

Meditation Points

  • Jesus does not give a clear answer to the disciples' question about when all these things will happen, and instead focuses on how the disciples should live.
  • Rather than fear or curiosity about the end, He once again shows that it is important to live faithfully in the present and to maintain a devoted attitude toward the gospel.

Apply It to Me

  • In your current life, check whether you are always staying awake. You can reflect on what your priorities are and on your sense of responsibility and faithfulness before God.
  • Instead of fearing an uncertain future, think about how you can live today by sharing the joy of the gospel with the people I am connected to.