Marcos 13

Marcos 13

Ryle - We see, thirdly, in this passage — how needful it is to watch the signs of the times in the prospect of the second coming of Christ. Our Lord teaches this lesson by a parable, "Behold the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening — you know that the kingdom of God is near!" The disciples ignorantly supposed that Messiah's kingdom would be ushered in by universal peace. Our Lord, on the contrary, tells them that the signs which shall immediately precede it shall be wars, confusions, perplexity, and distress. The general duty which these words should teach us, is very plain. We are to observe carefully the public events of the times in which we live. We are not to be absorbed in politics — but we are to mark political events. We are not to become prophets ourselves — but we are to study diligently the signs of our times. So doing, the day of Christ will not come upon us entirely unawares. Are there any signs in our own day? Are there any circumstances in the world around us which specially demand the believer's attention? Beyond doubt there are very many. The drying up of the Turkish empire — the revival of the Romish church — the awakened desire of the Protestant churches to preach the Gospel to the heathen — the general interest in the state of the Jews — the universal shaking of governments and established institutions — the rise and progress of the subtlest forms of infidelity — all, all are signs peculiar to our day. All should make us remember our Lord's words about the fig-tree. All should make us think of the text, "Behold, I am coming quickly." (Revelation 22:7.) Mark 13:29 "Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. NET Mark 13:29 So also you, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, right at the door. NLT Mark 13:29 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. ESV Mark 13:29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. NIV Mark 13:29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. GNT Mark 13:29 οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς, ὅταν ἴδητε ταῦτα γινόμενα, γινώσκετε ὅτι ἐγγύς ἐστιν ἐπὶ θύραις. KJV Mark 13:29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. YLT Mark 13:29 so ye, also, when these ye may see coming to pass, ye know that it is nigh, at the doors. ASV Mark 13:29 even so ye also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that he is nigh, even at the doors. CSB Mark 13:29 In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that He is near-- at the door! NKJ Mark 13:29 "So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near-- at the doors! NRS Mark 13:29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. know: Eze 7:10-12 12:25-28 Heb 10:25-37 Jas 5:9 1Pe 4:17,18 Related Passages: Matthew 24:33+ so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Luke 21:30+ as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 “So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. RIGHT AT THE DOOR Even so, you too, when you see these things happening Jesus emphasizes the visual aspect of these cosmic signs of Christ's coming with the verbs "see" (blepo) in verse 30 and "see" (horao) in this verse. The same phrase these things was used in Luke 21:28 when Jesus declared "“when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption (~Redeemer) is drawing near.” What things? This would certainly be things what one could perceive and see. Therefore, in context this would certainly include the visible signs of His return in Lk 21:25+ and then to the ultimate sign in Lk 21:27+ (cf Mt 24:30+ = "the sign") of the Son in the sky. What a dramatic contrast will be seen when the sun which is darkened will be replaced by the Son Who is descending in radiant, majestic splendor! O glorious day! What will soon follow His return? Logically when the King of kings returns (Rev 19:16-note), He needs a Kingdom over which He can rule as absolute Sovereign. So when one sees His "sign" they can know the Kingdom of God is not far behind! Hiebert - The reference is to the events in verses 14–23 which mark the beginning of the end (Gospel of Mark) Recognize that He is near, right at the door - Luke has "recognize that the kingdom of God is near." Recognize (ginosko) means to know by experience and what an experience it will be! Jesus urges them to be realizing what is happening. When you experience these things, they are like someone is "knocking at the door!" NET Note - The verb recognize can be parsed as either present indicative or present imperative. In this context the imperative fits better, since the movement is from analogy (trees and seasons) to the future (the signs of the coming of the kingdom) and since the emphasis is on preparation for this event. Right at the door - a common figure for an imminent event. Some versions say "IT" is near and others "HE" is near. Luke 21:30+ has the kingdom of God is near. The "kingdom" is an "IT" but it has a King, who is a "HE," so both translations are reasonable. Hiebert adds "The phrase at the doors is a common figure to denote nearness. The plural doors views the outer entrance to the house as consisting of folding doors. At, literally, “upon,” pictures the subject so near as in fact already located on the doorstep." NET Note - The verb ginoskete, "know" can be parsed as either present indicative or present imperative. In this context the imperative fits better, since the movement is from analogy (trees and seasons) to the future (the signs of the coming of the kingdom) and since the emphasis is on preparation for this event. Jesus is urging the the reader to realize what is happening. Near (1451) (eggus) is an adverb which means near (or close) and can describe a physical position relatively close to another position (Lk 19:11) or also a temporal position of one point of time relatively close to another point of time (Mt 26:18 - referring to His Crucifixion). In context the emphasis is primarily on near in time. Joel uses eggus 3x to describe the Day of the LORD as near (Joel 1:15-note, Joel 2:1-note, Joel 3:14-note, cp Ezek 30:3). In fact the events Jesus is describing here in Luke 21:25-38 are part of the Day of the LORD! If that "Day" was near when Joel wrote (835 BC), it is that much nearer in our day. The point is that we are to live our lives as if Jesus could return today. Our life motto should be "Perhaps Today!" Might that put a damper on those temptations to commit that sin that so easily entangles us? If we are looking for Him, we are more likely to be living for Him! See discussion of "Vertical Vision" Matthew's version uses the adjective near (eggus) with the phrase at the door which serves to doubly emphasize nearness of the Kingdom. It does not tell us how near in time. James uses the phrase to alert believers that "the Judge is standing right at the door." (James 5:9) In context the idea is that the return of Jesus is always imminent, but it does not tell us how close it is. Hiebert notes that more literally the Greek (of at the door) reads "upon the doors (plural)" where "upon" "pictures the subject so near as in fact already located on the doorstep." Comment on Luke's parallel - This has been the persistent object of the disciples' desire - the Kingdom of God. The disciples did not grasp that Jesus had to depart (See the prevalent Jewish eschatological beliefs in Jesus' day regarding Messiah and His Kingdom) and there would be a 2000 year interval until He would return to set up the Kingdom of God on earth, even asking Him after His resurrection “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6-note), a question that He did not refute, rebuke or correct and which makes absolutely no sense unless it were true (which it is). And so now, Jesus is giving them a parable to help them comprehend how the nearest of the Kingdom would be recognizable. They erroneously thought it was near now. It was not near in man's definition of time, but in God's definition of time a day is like a thousand years. Therefore (so to speak) only "two days" have passed since Jesus' departure. Related Resources Can the return of Christ truly be said to be imminent? Is Jesus coming soon? How are we to live our lives in light of Christ's return? What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming? Is it possible to know when Jesus is coming back? What is the blessed hope? Tony Garland's discussion of the Arrival of the Kingdom of God Mark 13:30 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. that: Mt 16:28 23:36 24:34 Lu 21:32 Related Resources: Matthew 24:34+ “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Luke 21:32+ "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. Note - Click here for a in depth discussion of to which generation Jesus is referring. Truly I say to you - Jesus' " amen" statement signals the following is important and authoritative. Truly I say to you in Mark - Mk. 3:28; Mk. 8:12; Mk. 9:1; Mk. 9:41; Mk. 10:15; Mk. 10:29; Mk. 11:23; Mk. 12:43; Mk. 13:30; Mk. 14:9; Mk. 14:18; Mk. 14:25; Mk. 14:30 This generation will not pass away until all these things take place - To which generation is Jesus referring? This is discussed in depth in Luke 21 commentary because one of the possible meanings of this generation is used by preterists to justify interpretation Mt 24:15-22 (and Mt 24:23-29) as past history! These things in Mark 13 - Mark 13:4 Mark 13:8 Mark 13:29 Mark 13:30 Here are the two most reasonable interpretations of which generation: (Click here for a in depth discussion of to which generation Jesus is referring. ) (1) Jesus was using "this generation" to refer to the people who are living at the time of the Tribulation and witness all the signs Jesus had described. "The simple and most reasonable interpretation that the leaves of the fig tree represent the birth pains and the other signs of His coming Jesus has mentioned in this chapter and that this generation refers to the people living at the end time who will view those signs." (John MacArthur) (2) Jesus was using the word generation as a qualitative term (as He had done numerous times in Matthew) and not as a quantitative term. Richard Mayhue - The pejorative view understands "generation" in the sense of referring to the category of rebellious, sinful people who have rejected God's truth and righteousness (cf. Mt 12:45; 23:35-36); this has an OT precedent in Dt 32:5, 20 and Pr 30:11-14. (See more detailed discussion) For More Detailed Discussion see Related Resources: Discussion of Which Generation in Matthew 24:34 Three Critical Exegetical Issues In Matthew 24: A Dispensational Interpretation Neil D. Nelson Jr., Ph.D. Seven Possible Interpretations of "This Genertion" - Richard Mayhue "This Generation" and it's Preterist Exegetical Misuse - Bob DeWaay How Preterists Misinterpret Matthew 24:34 - Bob DeWaay Mark 13:31 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Heaven: Ps 102:25-27 Isa 51:6 Mt 5:18 24:35 Heb 1:10-12 2Pe 3:10-12 Rev 20:11 my: Nu 23:19 Jos 23:14,15 Ps 19:7 Isa 40:8 Zec 1:6 Lu 21:33 2Ti 2:13 Tit 1:2 Related passages: Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Luke 21:33 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. GUARANTEE THAT THE PROPHECY WILL BE FULFILLED The prophetic words of the Olivet Discourse will not pass away but will assuredly be fulfilled in God's perfect timing. Amen! Heaven and earth will pass away - This is a prophecy which is yet future. Jesus is the Creator "for by Him all things were created" (Col 1:16) and He is also the "Sustainer" for "in Him all things hold together." (Col 1:17), but one day He will remove His Sustaining Hand and "the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up." (2 Pe 3:10+). In the Revelation John describes this unique time period writing "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them." (Rev 20:11+). In other words there was no place for earth and heaven because they had passed away, just as Jesus predicted. And after the judgment of all non-believers (Rev 20:11-15+), there will be a new heaven and new earth (Rev 21:1+). When will heaven and earth pass away? After the Messianic Age which John says will last 1000 years, at the end of which Satan is released and then defeated and cast into the Lake of Fire forever and then the events of 2 Peter 3:10+ transpire which explains why John says of heaven and earth there is "no place found for them." As an aside, it is amazing that if one reads Revelation 19:11-21:1 literally and simply (not adding anyone's "systematic" theological views, be they dispensational or otherwise), the text clearly paints a logical, easy to discern chronology of events. However, if one resorts to allegorizing the text, it is not surprising that soon it begins to make no sense (i.e., it borders on "nonsense!"). Click here for a simple minded summation of Revelation 19-21 showing how it flows from one event to another if one reads it literally. But - Term of contrast. It is always worthwhile to pause and ponder "What is being contrasted?" Usually (as in this case) it will be relatively straight forward. There was an old advertisement slogan "The pause that refreshes." To pause gives the Spirit a chance to speak. If we are reading too quickly and passively, rather that slowly and actively, intentionally engaging the text, we are less likely to hear His voice. And pausing to ask simple questions tends to aid dynamic interaction with the Living Word and Living Lord, through His Living Spirit. Of course the obvious wonderful contrast is that Jesus' words will never pass away, which was recorded by Isaiah centuries earlier when he wrote "The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8) My words will not pass away What is Jesus saying? Which words? Of course the truth that Jesus words will not pass away also applies to every word Jesus spoke, not just the prophetic words in the Olivet Discourse. But if context means anything, in this context Jesus is referring to the answer He has just given to the disciples' questions about Jerusalem's fate, about His return, about the establishment of the Kingdom of God and about the end of the age. Every "jot and tittle" of His prophetic answer will be perfectly fulfilled. Pass away (3928)(parerchomai) literally means to pass by (Lk 18:37), but here Jesus uses the verb figuratively meaning to come to an end, to disappear as the rich man in James 1:10, as the old things in those who have been born again (2Cor 5:17). Here are some other things that will come to an end (pass away) and thus will no longer be present Matthew 5:18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Luke 16:17; “But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.