Mark 13

King James Version

Full text for Mark Chapter 13

1¶ And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings [are here]!

2And Jesus answering said unto him, ‹Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.›

3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

4Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

5¶ And Jesus answering them began to say, ‹Take heed lest any [man] deceive you:›

6‹For many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and shall deceive many.›

7‹And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for [such things] must needs be; but the end [shall] not [be] yet.›

8‹For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these [are] the beginnings of sorrows.›

9‹But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.›

10‹And the gospel must first be published among all nations.›

11‹But when they shall lead [you], and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.›

12‹Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against [their] parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.›

13‹And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.›

14¶ ‹But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:›

15‹And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter [therein], to take any thing out of his house:›

16‹And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.›

17‹But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!›

18‹And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.›

19‹For [in] those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.›

20‹And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.›

21‹And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here [is] Christ; or, lo, [he is] there; believe [him] not:›

22‹For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.›

23‹But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.›

24¶ ‹But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,›

25‹And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.›

26‹And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.›

27‹And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.›

28¶ ‹Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:›

29‹So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, [even] at the doors.›

30‹Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.›

31‹Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.›

32‹But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.›

33‹Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.›

34‹[For the Son of man is] as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.›

35‹Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:›

36‹Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.›

37‹And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.›

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

In Mark 13, Jesus prophesies the complete destruction of the temple and responds to His disciples' questions about the signs of His coming and the end of the age. He warns against deception by false Christs and prophets, and describes a period of wars, famines, earthquakes, and intense persecution for believers. Jesus then details the 'abomination of desolation' as a critical sign for flight, followed by cosmic disturbances, and His glorious return to gather His elect, concluding with a strong admonition to watchfulness due to the unknown timing.

Medium Summary

Jesus begins by foretelling the utter destruction of the magnificent temple in Jerusalem, stating that not one stone shall be left upon another. When questioned privately by Peter, James, John, and Andrew on the Mount of Olives, He outlines the signs preceding these events. Jesus warns against false Christs and prophets who will deceive many, and describes wars, famines, and earthquakes as the 'beginnings of sorrows.' He also predicts severe persecution for His followers, who will be brought before rulers, but assures them the Holy Ghost will guide their speech. The gospel must first be preached to all nations, and believers will face betrayal even within families. A pivotal sign will be the 'abomination of desolation' standing where it ought not, prompting immediate flight from Judaea, leading into a period of unparalleled tribulation. After this affliction, cosmic signs will precede the glorious coming of the Son of Man in the clouds to gather His elect. Jesus uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate that these signs indicate His nearness, yet emphasizes that only the Father knows the exact day and hour, thus urging constant watchfulness.

Long Summary

As Jesus departs the temple, His disciples admire its grand buildings, prompting Him to prophesy its complete demolition, where not a single stone will remain. Later, on the Mount of Olives, Peter, James, John, and Andrew privately ask Him about the timing of these events and the signs of His coming. Jesus first warns them to beware of deception, as many will falsely claim to be Christ. He then describes various precursors, including wars, rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, earthquakes, famines, and troubles, which He labels as the 'beginnings of sorrows.' Believers are forewarned of persecution, being delivered up to councils, beaten in synagogues, and brought before rulers and kings for His name's sake, serving as a testimony against them. Crucially, the gospel must first be published among all nations. During these trials, they are not to premeditate their words, for the Holy Ghost will speak through them. Familial betrayal will be rampant, with brothers betraying brothers, and children rising against parents, leading to death. Believers will be hated by all for Jesus' name, but those who endure to the end shall be saved. A specific sign, the 'abomination of desolation' spoken of by Daniel, will stand where it ought not, signaling an immediate and urgent flight from Judaea to the mountains, without delay for gathering possessions. A woe is pronounced upon pregnant and nursing women in those days, and they are urged to pray their flight is not in winter. This period will be one of unprecedented affliction, shortened by the Lord for the elect's sake. Further warnings are given against false Christs and prophets who will perform signs and wonders to deceive. Following this tribulation, cosmic events will occur: the sun will darken, the moon will lose its light, and stars will fall, with the powers of heaven being shaken. Then, the Son of Man will be seen coming in the clouds with great power and glory, sending His angels to gather His elect from the four corners of the earth. Jesus uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate that just as its budding leaves signify summer's approach, these signs indicate His nearness. He declares that 'this generation' shall not pass until all these things are done, and that His words are eternal. However, the precise day and hour of His return are known only by the Father, not even by the angels or the Son. Therefore, Jesus repeatedly admonishes His disciples, and all, to take heed, watch, and pray, like servants awaiting their master's unexpected return.

Core Concepts

  • Destruction of the TempleJesus prophesies the complete dismantling of the magnificent Jerusalem temple, stating that not one stone will be left upon another, foreshadowing its utter desolation.
  • Signs of the EndJesus lists various events—false Christs, wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecutions—as 'beginnings of sorrows' that will precede the ultimate end, serving as warnings rather than the final event itself.
  • Abomination of DesolationThis specific prophetic sign, referenced from Daniel, indicates a critical moment when those in Judaea must flee immediately to the mountains, signifying an unparalleled period of affliction.
  • The Great TribulationJesus describes a time of affliction so severe that it will be unmatched in history, from creation onward, and will be shortened by God for the sake of the elect.
  • Coming of the Son of ManFollowing the tribulation and cosmic disturbances, Jesus foretells His glorious return in the clouds with great power, accompanied by angels who will gather His chosen ones from all parts of the earth.
  • Unknown Day and HourJesus explicitly states that the exact day and hour of these events are known only by God the Father, not by angels or even the Son, emphasizing the need for constant readiness.
  • WatchfulnessA recurring command throughout the chapter, Jesus urges His followers to be vigilant and prepared, like servants awaiting their master, because the time of His return is uncertain.