Marcos 13
Kenneth Wuest · Citado em PreceptAustin
Marcos 13
Wuest - And Jesus said to him, Do you see these great buildings? There shall positively not be left a stone upon a stone which is not torn down. there: 1Ki 9:7,8 2Ch 7:20,21 Jer 26:18 Mic 3:12 Mt 24:2 Lu 19:41-44 Lu 21:6 Ac 6:14 Rev 11:2 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 24:2+ And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly (Amen) I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.” Luke 21:6+ “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.” Rocks left after Temple Destroyed in 70 AD The picture above represents stones from the Western Wall which testify to the veracity of Jesus' prophecy (cf "the stones cry out") fulfilled by Roman soldiers in 70 AD.
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Wuest - Our Lord by this question fixes their attention upon an object concerning which a startling statement is to be made. He also acknowledges the fact of the greatness and magnificence of the Temple. But He also contrasts all that with its utter destruction. Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down - Jesus begins His prophecy regarding the magnificent Temple complex. He is predicting the destruction of the Temple by the Roman General Titus in 70 AD. Jesus did not set a date but gave a definitive decree of destruction which was fulfilled perfectly. The words not are actually two double negatives (ou me) indicating the absolute certain that the Temple would be ruined. In fairness, it should be noted that some writers consider Jesus' statement a hyperbolic statement (figure of speech) because the Western Wall stones remained intact. But if one focuses on the Temple and the buildings and walls of that complex, there was not left one stone upon another. The destruction was so complete that today it is difficult to be certain of the actual site of the original Temple. Torn down (abolished)(2647)(kataluo from kata = down, prefix intensifying verb luo = loosen, dissolve, demolish, untie, undo) means literally to loosen down (unloose) and then to utterly destroy or to overthrow completely. To throw down. Kataluo "means literally “to loose down.” It speaks of a gradual demolition of the Temple, such as took place when the Romans captured Jerusalem A.D. 70, and destroyed the Temple. Our Lord’s prediction was fulfilled in exact detail. Only the foundation stones remain of all that magnificence. A double negative appears twice in our Lord’s answer, making an emphatic negation." Hiebert on stone - According to Josephus, part of it was built of strong, white stones each measuring twenty-five cubits long, eight high, and about twelve in breadth (37 1/2′ × 12′ × 18′). Some of these massive stones weighed more than one hundred tons....Up to this point during this day, Jesus had acted as God’s “forth-teller,” applying the truth of God to the scene before Him; with this statement He turned to predictive prophecy, declaring the near future. (Gospel of Mark) THOUGHT - As J
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Wuest - And Jesus began to be saying to them, Keep ever watching lest someone lead you astray. See to it : Jer 29:8 Mt 24:4,5 Lu 21:8 1Co 15:33 Eph 5:6 Col 2:8 2Th 2:3 1Jn 4:1 Rev 20:7,8 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 24:4-5+ And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. Luke 21:8+ And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them. JESUS BEGINS HIS PROPHETIC ANSWER This passage marks the beginning of Jesus' formal Olivet Discourse, And Jesus began to say to them - "Began to say implies that an extended discourse will follow." (Hiebert) Notice that in His initial reply, Jesus does not specifically address the disciples' questions, but instead commands them not to be misled, explaining that there will be many who will claim to be the Messiah and they will mislead many (not a few but many)! "See to it that no one misleads you - Matthew and Luke also begin with this warning. Notice that Jesus does not give us a suggestion but uses the present imperative which means we are to make this our habitual practice, something possible only as we yield to the filling and empowering of the Spirit of Jesus. The Amplified Version reads "Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]." This is the first of 12 commands in Mark 14 and all are in the present imperative. Sine all three synoptic Gospels begin with the warning to not be misled (Mt 24:4, Mk 13:5, Luke 21:8+) clearly Jesus' top priority is to avoid deception. But by what would they be misled? Luke's version has Lk 21:8+ “See to it that you be not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is at hand’; do not go after them." So they are not only claiming they are Messiah but also claiming they know the time is at hand. A desire to know or predict the future is an inherent curiosity of most people and presumably it is to this innate human curiosity that these false Messiah's make their appeal. Hiebert makes a great point - Jesus began with wise warnings to His disciples (vv. 5–13), portrayed the end-time crisis culminating in the second advent (vv. 14–27), and concluded with further instructions and warnings to the disciples (vv. 28–37). While its central portion is distinctly eschatological, the discourse begins and ends with moral exhortations (ED: NOT TO MENTION 12 COMMANDS THROUGHOUT THIS SECTION), thus underlining the practical nature of biblical prophecy. Before dealing with the eschatological future, Jesus reminded His disciples that their first duty was to be alert to the dangers that would confront them. Two types of danger are pointed out. In connection with the eschatological interests, they must not be deceived by pretenders and catastrophic occurrences (Mk 13:5–8); neither must they allow persecutions to destroy their personal allegiance to Him (Mk 13:9–13). (Gospel of Mark) See to it (look, beware, take care, take heed) (991)(blepo) basically means to have sight, to see, to look at, then to observe, to discern, to perceive with the eye, and frequently implies special contemplation (e.g., often in the sense of “keep your eyes open,” or “beware”.) Vine adds that blepo expresses "a more intentional, earnest contemplation. In Lk 6:41 = of beholding the mote in a brother’s eye; Lk 24:12 = of beholding the linen clothes in the empty tomb. Acts 1:9 = of the gaze of the disciples when the Lord ascended." THOUGHT- Blepo is a key verb in Mark 13 - Mk. 13:2; Mk. 13:5; Mk. 13:9; Mk. 13:23; Mk. 13:33. Clearly one key message from Jesus regarding these end time events is the disciple's need to LOOK OUT! Remember the best way to discern false words is to know the word of Truth. In the past FBI agents were trained to recognize counterfeit 20 dollar bills by studying real 20 dollar bills. Mark 13:6 "Many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He!' and will mislead many. Wuest - Many will come in the strength of my name, saying, I, in contradistinction to others, am he, and will lead many astray. many: Mk 13:22 Jer 14:14 23:21-25 Joh 5:43 1Jn 4:1 and will: Mk 13:22 Mt 24:5,11,23,24 Ac 5:36-39 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 24:4-5+ And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. Luke 21:8+ And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them. MANY GREAT PRETENDERS Many will come in My name - Literally "upon My name," the point being that they base the authenticity of their claims on the authority of the Name of Christ. In context they are not just false teachers but actually false Messiahs. Saying, 'I am He!' and will mislead (deceive) many - “I am” is a divine name (cf. Ex 3:14; Mk. 13:6; Lk. 21:8; Jn. 8:18; Jn. 8:24; Jn. 8:28; Jn. 13:19; Jn. 18:5; Jn. 18:6; Jn. 18:8; Rev. 2:23). Matthew 24:5 adds they specifically say "I am the Christ" or "I am the Messiah." (See study of "I Am" = eimi) The fact that there will be false Christ coming who will mislead many is the very reason the disciples (and us) need to continually heed the command in Mk 13:5. As discussed above Luke adds these deceivers will claim that they know that "the time is near." They claim to be able to predict the future. We all have an inherent desire to know about the future, especially end times prophecy. Jesus is warning that there would be individuals who would seek to take advantage of this propensity for prophecy and would deceive them and in so doing would turn them aside from the simple teaching of the Gospel. Hiebert writes that "The first person after the time of Jesus Christ definitely known to have claimed to be the Messiah was Barcochba, the leader of the last great Jewish revolt in A.D. 132. There have been various other claimants since. Feinberg says, “Up to our day [1953] there is a record of some 64 false Messiahs who have tried to lead Israel astray.” The number of the pretenders is not yet complete....mislead many - catching people in the snare of their enthusiasm, such pretenders always gain a following, of sorts. Their success makes them dangerous. (Gospel of Mark) Related Resource: List of False Messiahs in Wikipedia So the question arises as to how these individuals will be able to lead others astray. They come in Jesus' Name, ostensibly adhering to all Jesus teaches, but they are lying. And some even claim "I am He" clearly claiming that they are the Messiah. Claims such as these give them a sense of authority and authenticity to whatever they say. The antidote is Acts 17:11+ "Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so (THEY ARE CHECKING THE APOSTLE PAUL WHO CAME IN THE NAME OF THE LORD)." How do they mislead. Luke's parallel helps us for he records they claim "The time is at hand." (Lk 21:8) Does this refer to the time of the Temple destruction or the time of the end? It is hard to say for sure. The point is that they mislead others with their claims of knowledge of future events. Wuest adds - The phrase “in my name” is literally, “upon the basis of my name,” thus, “basing their claims on the use of my name.” The name “Christ,” namely, “Messiah,” was a title with which to conjure, for Israel was looking for its Messiah. Swete says: “Such impostors came upon the basis of the name, holding out a false Messianic hope, claiming powers which belonged to the true Christ, even if they did not assume the title.” The word “name” is used here to designate all that the Messiah is in His Person and His work. These impostors claimed to possess all that. THOUGHT - As an aside, there is a tendency in the younger evangelical church to shy away from serious teaching on Bible prophecy ("too divisive," "too confusing," "no one can know who has the correct interpretation," and the list goes on). Beloved, (IN MY OPINION) this is a deadly deficiency in the modern church. Why would I say that? Think about it. If conservative, orthodox leaders fail to teach on this subject, the "sheep" are wide open to the plethora of prophetic speculations promulgated on the internet, airways and books. God gave us the Bible to reveal, not to conceal and confuse. God gave us prophecy to stabilize our faith not to satisfy our curiosity. Bible prophecy is not easy to discern, but it is not impossible to know. That said, see discussion of Bible Prophecy which includes a section on why it should be studied. Mislead (deceive) (4105)(planao from plane which describes "a wandering" and gives us our English word planet) means to cause one to wander (cf first use in NT of "straying" sheep = Mt 18:12-13) or to go astray from a specific way. To cause someone to hold a wrong view and thus be mistaken. To delude or cause one to wander from the Truth of God's Word. In Mt 22:29 Jesus used planao to refute the false belief of His detractors declaring "You are mistaken (NIV = in error; NET = deceived; ESV = wrong), not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God." FALSE MESSIAHS - Simon bar Kokhba (Hebrew: שמעון בר כוכבא; died 135 CE), born Simon ben Kosevah, was the leader of what is known as the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Roman Empire in 132 CE, establishing an independent Jewish state which he ruled for three years as Nasi ("Prince"). His state was conquered by the Romans in 135 following a two and half-year war.[a]The Jewish sage Rabbi Akiva indulged the possibility that Simon could be the Jewish messiah, and gave him the surname "Bar Kokhba" meaning "Son of the Star" in Aramaic, from the Star Prophecy verse from Numbers 24:17: "There shall come a star out of Jacob".The name Bar Kokhba does not appear in the Talmud but in ecclesiastical sources. Rabbinical writers subsequent to Rabbi Akiva did not share Rabbi Akiva's estimation of ben Kosiva. Akiva's disciple, Yose ben Halaphta, in the Seder 'Olam (chapter 30) called him "bar Koziba" (בר כוזיבא), meaning, "son of the lie". Some are names we recognize from the news include (1) Sun Myung Moon: considered within the Unification Church as the Messiah and the second coming of Christ. (2) Jim Jones: claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus, Buddha, Vladimir Lenin, and Father Divine prior to leading a mass suicide of his followers. (3) Marshall Applewhite: claimed to be Jesus and the Son of God prior to leading his Heaven’s Gate cult mass suicide to rendezvous with a space ship hiding behind the comet Hale-Bopp. (4) David Koresh: leader of the Branch Davidian religious sect in Waco, Texas. Claimed to be “the Son of God, the Lamb.” Below are links to a list of people who have been said to be a messiah, either by themselves or by their followers. The list is divided into categories, which are sorted according to date of birth (where known). Jewish messiah claimants (See another more in depth article) Christian messiah claimants Muslim messiah claimants Other or combination messiah claimants Related Resources: What does it mean that there will be false christs in the end times? Who is Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda? Is Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda the antichrist? (See Video) The Christ of the New Age Movement by Ron Rhodes False Predictions - Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? —Matthew 24:3 - News that a solar eclipse would take place on July 22, 2009, brought an alarming prediction. It was predicted that the eclipse would sufficiently affect gravitational pull, causing tectonic plates to “pop a seam,” resulting in a sizable earthquake and a subsequent devastating tsunami in Japan. The US Geological Survey responded that no scientists “have ever predicted a major earthquake. They do not know how, and they do not expect to know how, anytime in the foreseeable future.” There have also been many false predictions about the date of Christ’s second coming—despite our Lord’s emphatic words: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Mt. 24:36). Christ told His followers that instead of trying to predict the date of His return, they should “watch” (Mt 24:42) and “be ready” (Mt 24:44). Peter warned, “The day of the Lord will come like a thief.” Then he added: “What kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives” (2 Peter 3:10-11NIV). When someone says, “I can discern Exactly when Christ will return,” Don’t be deceived or led astray— The Lord said we can’t know the day. —Sper Look for Christ’s return, and you’ll live for Christ’s glory. Mark 13:7 "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. when: Ps 27:3 46:1-3 112:7 Pr 3:25 Isa 8:12 Jer 4:19-21 51:46 Mt 24:6,7 Lu 21:9-11 Joh 14:1,27 must: 2Sa 14:14 Mt 18:7 Ac 17:3 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 24:6; 7+ “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. Luke 21:9-11+ “When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.” SECOND FALSE SIGN THE END IS AT HAND When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place - Hiebert points out that here "the danger is not the cunning of others but their own misinterpretation of the turbulent affairs of history." All of these things have occurred for the last 2000 years and many have speculated this event or that event marked the end, but the end has not come. It is interesting that Jesus says they must take place (dei in present tense - must continually) speaks of their inevitability. Do not be frightened (throeo) a command, present imperative with a negative meaning don't let fear begin or stop fearing if you already are afraid. Why? Those thing are expected and should not surprise disciples. Hiebert - Amid the commotions of wars and tensions, they must arrest the natural feeling of alarm and inner agitation. They must not allow political and social upheavals to upset them emotionally so that they are unfit to carry on their proper work. (Gospel of Mark) Wuest points out that "The disciples were already troubled about the political unrest in Palestine. Our Lord says, “Stop being troubled.” It is necessary (must take place) in the nature of the case (dei (δει)) for such things to be”. The total depravity of the human race is the root of all war, and that is the nature of the case that makes war inevitable. As to the political unrest of that time,
Marcos 13
Wuest - Our Lord exhorts the disciples not to permit political troubles and national upheavals to distract them from their work of evangelization. There are two kingdoms on this earth moving along side by side, the world system of evil headed up by Satan and in which the nations are constantly at sword’s points, and the kingdom of God. No matter what happens in the former kingdom, the people of God must carry on toward the God-ordained and predicted consummation. Frightened (disturbed) (2360)(throeo from threomai = the cry or wail; Thayer says throeo is derived from thros = clamor, tumult) means to cry aloud or scream and in the passive sense means to be inwardly aroused, to be disturbed, to be frightened, to be startled. Throeo speaks of the alarm occasioned by a sudden cry or of mental uneasiness in general. Throeo is used only 3x (Mt 24:6; Mk 13:7; 2Th 2:2) all three uses in the context of eschatological events. but that is not yet the end - End is telos which means fulfillment, "a point of time marking the end of a duration" (BDAG). "These stirring events do not constitute the immediate sign of the consummation of the age. They demonstrate the rotten moral condition of the world, which will certainly lead to judgment, but not yet, implying that more suffering is first in store. The end is the eschatological goal of history, the final establishment of God’s kingdom on earth." (Hiebert) End (5056)(telos) means an end, a completion, a consummation. The word termination is close but misses the essence of the meaning, because a process can be terminated without reaching completion or consummation, which is the essence of the meaning of telos. This term does not refer to annihilation (although indeed this present earth and heavens will be burned with intense heat - see discussion 2 Pe 3:12+) but is used in Scripture to refer to the end of the age. Jesus Himself used the term in this way (e.g., Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9+). Telos is used again in Mark 13:13+. J
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Wuest - But as for you, be constantly paying heed to yourselves. They will deliver you up to councils and in synagogues you will be beaten, and before rulers and kings you will be placed for my sake, as a testimony to them. be on your guard: Mk 13:5 Mt 10:17,18 23:34-37 24:9,10 Lu 21:16-18 Joh 15:20 16:2 Ac 4:1-21 5:17-40 6:11-15 7:54-60 8:1-3 9:1,2,13,14,16 Ac 12:1-3 16:20-24 21:11,31-40 22:19,20 23:1,2 24:1-9 Acts 25:1-26:32 1Co 4:9-13 2Co 11:23-27 Php 1:29 2Th 1:5 Rev 1:9 2:10,13 6:9-11 courts Mt 5:22. a: Mk 1:44 6:11 Mt 10:18 Lu 9:5 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 24:9+ “Then they will deliver (paradidomi) you to tribulation (thlipsis), and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. Luke 21:12+ “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering (paradidomi) you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. The Torches of Nero See Christians in Upper Right PERSONAL DANGER AMID PERSECUTION But be on your guard - "You must watch out for yourselves." (NET) Yourselves is not translated in NAS but is in the Greek and gives emphasis to personal watchfulness. Wuest adds "But, as for you, do not think only of what is coming on the Jewish nation and on the world, but also on yourselves.” The previous warnings applied to the world but these apply personally to the disciples of Jesus. This is Jesus' second command in this prophetic section. First see that you are not misled and here be on your guard. The former command was because of false Christs. Hiebert - The exhortation does not urge them to seek their own safety but rather warns them to be alert against thoughtless or unworthy actions amid persecution. In Matthew 10:17–22, much of this warning is given in another context. Such warnings were an integral part of His training of the twelve. (Gospel of Mark) Be on your guard (look, beware, take care, take heed) (991) see note on blepo for - Term of explanation. Jesus explains why disciples must remain on guard, giving three specific reasons. Hiebert says He is "justifying the warning." They will deliver you to the courts - They will give them over to the "councils" (NET, NLT, ESV, NIV). Hiebert says "The councils, or “sanhedrins,” were local, Jewish disciplinary courts attached to the synagogues." Wuest adds that "These local councils of the Jews were modelled after the one at Jerusalem. They were the local courts of discipline. The sentences were carried out in the synagogues." NET Note on courts (councils) - Councils in this context refers to local judicial bodies attached to the Jewish synagogue. This group would be responsible for meting out justice and discipline within the Jewish community. Will deliver (hand over) (3860)(paradidomi from para = alongside, beside, to the side of, over to + didomi = to give) means to give or hand over into the hands of another, especially to give them over into the power of another. Matthew has 31 of the 119 NT uses of paradidomi, the first use describing John the Baptist being taken into custody (Mt 4:12). Matthew identifies "Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him." (Mt 10:4, cf Mt 26:15, 16, 21, 23, 24, 25, 45, 48, 27:2, 4) Jesus had warned His disciples "beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues" (Mt 10:17) and "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death." (Mt 10:21) Court (council, supreme court) (the Sanhedrin)(4892)(sunedrion from sun/syn = together + hedra = a seat or hedraios = sedentary, as one seated in a chair) means ones seated together. This noun generally describes an assembly or council. In classical Greek sunhedrion initially referred to the place of meeting; and later described the assembly itself or the “council.” In secular language sunedrion was used of a variety of official groups and councils including legislative bodies. In the intertestamental period prior to the birth of Christ sunedrion became a technical term for the "supreme court" or “high court” of the Jews who adopted the Greek into their own language (Hebrew/ Aramaic), calling the council the Sanhedrin. In the NT uses the council or Sanhedrin consisted of 71 members (70 members plus the highest official, the high priest) from the chief priests, former high priests, and the chief priests or heads of the twenty–four courses or divisions, elders, and scribes or lawyers. Apparently the council itself determined who could belong. There were also local councils throughout the Jewish Diaspora with 23 members, which were also called sunedrion. The Sanhedrin tried the most serious offenses and pronounced the severest penalties, including death by stoning (see Acts 6:12-7:60) The Sanhedrin was formed in imitation of the seventy elders appointed by Moses (Nu 11:16ff.) The members were selected from the chief priests, former high priests, and the chief priests or heads of the twenty–four courses or divisions, elders, and scribes or lawyers. The Jewish genealogical records were kept by the Sanhedrin but they ceased to exist after the destruction of the Temple by the Romans in 70 A D. And you will be flogged in the synagogues - We see this come to fruition in the book of Acts. Do you not see the irony here? The house of worship turned into a house of whipping! This is what happens when people reject the truth. Hiebert - To be haled before these courts was considered a disgrace, and the beatings administered were severe, although limited to thirty-nine stripes (cf. 2 Cor. 11:24). (Gospel of Mark) Flogged (beated, receive lashes, strike) (1194)(dero) literally meant to remove the skin (flay = strip off skin) and in the NT is used to depict the action of whipping, beating, thrashing or scourging in a manner calculated to take off the skin (Mt. 21:35; Mk 12:3, 5; Lk 20:10, 11; Ac 16:37; 22:19). Dero is used with its literal meaning once in the Septuagint (2Chr 29:34). Luke documents recounts Paul's confessions in Acts regarding his malicious treatment of the saints... Acts 9:2+ and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Acts 22:4+ “I persecuted (dioko) this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, Acts 22:19+ “And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves understand that in one synagogue after another I used to imprison and beat those who believed in You. Acts 26:10+ “And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. Acts 26:11+ “And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities. Synagogues (4864)(sunagoge from sunago = lead together, assemble or bring together) refers to a group of people “going with one another” (sunago) literally describes a bringing together or congregating in one place. Eventually, sunagoge came to mean the place where they congregated together. Uses in Mark - Mk. 1:21; Mk. 1:23; Mk. 1:29; Mk. 1:39; Mk. 3:1; Mk. 6:2; Mk. 12:39; Mk. 13:9 NET Note - These statements look at persecution both from a Jewish context as the mention of councils and synagogues suggests, and from a Gentile one as the reference to governors and kings suggests. Some fulfillment of Jewish persecution can be seen in Acts. And you will stand before governors and kings - This means the persecution would not just be Jewish but would also be Gentile because the Gentiles were the governors and kings. The disciples were first persecuted by the Jews and as the Gospel spread throughout the Roman Empire, the Gentiles began to persecute the believers. See Acts 12:1-4+ ("Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church"); Acts 16:19-26+ (= Paul and Silas "dragged...before the authorities and...the chief magistrates"); Acts 25:12+ (= "Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go.”) Paul before King Agrippa (Acts 25:13, 22-27+, Acts 26:1-30+). This should not have been surprising for Jesus had taught His disciples “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also." (Jn 15:20) So even as Jesus was led away to Caiaphas (Mt 26:57), so too His disciples would be brought before the authorities. for My sake - Here is the qualifying factor. It is for the sake of Jesus, for His Name, for His glory, for His honor. Jesus is saying they will persecute you because they hate the Name of Jesus (cf Matthew 24:9+ Luke 21:12+"). They hate all that Jesus' Name stands for. THOUGHT - Have you ever been in a conversation with an unbeliever and you mentioned the Name "Jesus" (not as a curse word as the world besmirches His great Name - Acts 4:12+)? What happens? The reaction varies, but the truth usually is that they hate His Name! They hate His Gospel message and so it is not surprising they would hate the messenger. These men are followers of Jesus as are all subsequent believers and are to loyal to Him that we might give an aroma of Jesus as Paul said But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? (2 Cor 2:14-16) My Name's Sake - Because of their loyalty to Him (Would this test your loyalty to Jesus?) Below are some other notable examples of this great phrase in the New Testament - it costs to bear this great Name! Have you experienced that? Have you been rejected or scorned or made fun of because you are His follower? If not, perhaps you are not really His follower (cf Php 1:29+, 2 Ti 3:12+, 2 Cor 13:5+). Matthew 19:29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. John 15:21 “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. Acts 9:16+ for I will show him (Saul of Taurus) how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Revelation 2:3-note and you (Church at Ephesus) have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. As a testimony to them - As a witness or a martyr! This is exactly what Paul did before King Agrippa giving his testimony "." (Acts 26:12-26, 27-30+) Luke 21:13+ says “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony." (and for many would be their opportunity to be a martyr!)
Marcos 13
Wuest has an interesting comment that "Treachery from friends and relatives is now predicted by our Lord in the Jewish community. While this may have had some partial fulfillment among the first-century Jewish Christians, yet it awaits a more intensified fulfillment in the Great Tribulation period when the Church will be in the Glory and the Jews (ED: BUT ALSO GENTILES) will be forced to choose between the coming Jesus Christ and the then present Antichrist." (ED: cf mark of the beast - Rev 13:16-18+) Put...to death (2289)(thanatoo from thanatos = death) means literally to kill, to cause to be put to death, to mortify, to give up to death, to condemn to death or to deliver over to death. This verb describes what the Jews sought to do to Jesus and eventually accomplished (Mt 26:59, Mt 27:1, Mk 13:12) and those opposed to Jesus will seek to do the same to His followers! Mark 13:13 "You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. Wuest And you will be those who are being hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end, this one will be saved. NET Mark 13:13 You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. NLT Mark 13:13 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ESV Mark 13:13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. NIV Mark 13:13 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. GNT Mark 13:13 καὶ ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου. ὁ δὲ ὑπομείνας εἰς τέλος οὗτος σωθήσεται. KJV Mark 13:13 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. YLT Mark 13:13 and ye shall be hated by all because of my name, but he who hath endured to the end -- he shall be saved. you: Mt 5:11,12 24:9 Lu 6:22 21:17 Joh 15:18,19 17:14 1Jn 3:13 but: Da 12:12 Mt 10:22 Mt 24:13 Ro 2:7 Ga 6:9 Heb 3:14 10:39 Jas 1:12 Rev 2:10 3:10 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 24:13+ “But the one who endures (hupomeno) to the end, he will be saved. Luke 21:17+ and you will be hated by all because of My name. 18 “Yet not a hair of your head will perish. 19 “By your endurance (hupomone) you will gain your lives. A PROMISE TO THE PERSECUTED You will be hated by all because of My Name - Jesus has just said you will be killed and now says you will be hated (tantamount to murder! - Mt 5:21+) All is not used in the absolute sense (all with no exceptions) but refers to the general reaction of unbelievers of all classes toward believers. This is one of those promises you probably won't find in a collection of "God's Promises!" Luke 21:18+ adds “Yet not a hair of your head will perish." We need to make sure they hate us because of Jesus and not because of our bad behavior. Because of (term of explanation) gives the reason for their intense hatred. It is because they hate God (Ro 1:30+), they hate Jesus and since you love Jesus, they hate you! It is because you love His Name that they hate you! Your allegiance to the Lamb may cost you your life, but the temporal price is eternally priceless.... Play "I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb!" Then live it out in the power of the Spirit for the glory of the Lamb of God! Hiebert on will be hated - The periphrastic form of the future shall be hated marks the hatred as a continuing process going on and on....It will be His name, the revelation of the Person and all that He stands for, that will arouse the enmity. They will be hated, not for the errors or personal faults, but because they are Christians (1 Pet. 4:16+, Phil. 1:29+; Col. 1:24+). (Gospel of Mark) When we stand with Christ, everything that opposes Him will oppose us! This recalls Jesus' words that speak of no neutrality in this spiritual war between darkness and light... “For he who is not against us is for us. (Mark 9:40) Compare "“He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters. " (Mt 12:30, Lk 11:23) When we experience this hatred because of His Name (AND WE WILL IF WE ARE TRUE FOLLOWERS! SEE PROMISE IN 2 Ti 3:12+. COROLLARY - IF YOU NEVER HAVE THIS EXPERIENCE YOU NEED TO SOBERLY PONDER 2 Cor 13:5+), we need to recall Jesus' encouraging words... “Blessed (makarios = fully satisfied independent of the circumstances) are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. (Lk. 6:22+) MacArthur "Some believers live lives of almost constant conflict with the world, while others seem to escape it entirely. Some Christians are not persecuted simply because their testimony is so weak it goes unnoticed by the world. When biblical doctrine and standards are compromised to accommodate fallen human nature, society has little argument with that kind of Christianity and will give little opposition to Christians. But to confront the world as Paul did with the declaration that "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Ro 1:18) is to guarantee society's wrath against the gospel and those who preach it....false religion reacts against believers because it is generated by Satan. Government reacts against believers because it is under the control of the prince of the power of the air, the ruler of this world. Ungodly families and society react against believers because they cannot tolerate righteous people in their midst. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Matthew) If you name the Name of Jesus, you are not in a special club which relatively "few who find it" (Mt 7:13-14-note), and which those who do not enter love to hate, because they hate the Name of Jesus. John 15:18-21 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me John 17:14 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Will be hated (Mark's only use of miseo)(3404)(miseo from misos = hatred) means to dislike strongly, to have a strong aversion to or to detest, all of these representing expressions of hostility of one person (or group) toward another (Mt 5:43, Lk 6:27, et al). Specifically the hatred can be directed toward God (Lk 1:71). The majority of the NT uses of miseo convey the literal meaning of animosity towards God, people or particular attitudes. Lenski on because of My Name - This signifies more than merely the personal names "Jesus," "Christ," etc.; it includes all by which He is known. Hence in phrases such as this "Name" is equivalent to "revelation." Men will in dislike and opposition turn against everything that reveals Christ and makes Him known. The implication in "Name" is that the apostles and those who succeed them will always proclaim this "Hame" or revelation and will thus arouse the hatred. In the Acts the persecutors avoid even pronouncing the Name Jesus wherever possible. (ED: IN OUR CULTURE THE NAME "JESUS" OR "CHRIST" IS SULLIED FREQUENTLY BY UNBELIEVERS IN CONVERSATION, ON TV AND IN MOVIES WHERE IT IS USED AS A CURSE WORD!) John
Marcos 13
Wuest - These will be tribulation days. The judgments of God which will fall upon unbelieving Israel and the Gentile nations will have no precedent in all past history, and no counterpart in all succeeding history. Even the ESV Study Bible agrees with this assessment - Some suggest this means that, if God's wrath were to continue unchecked against the wickedness of humanity, no one would survive the eventual destruction. Others see in this a reference to a cutting short of either the seventieth "seven" (week) of Da 9:27 or the 42 months of Rev. 11:2. (Ed comment: The 42 months of Rev 11:2+ are the last 3.5 years, the time of the great tribulation, corresponding to the Antichrist breaking the seven year covenant with Israel in the middle of the seven years as described in of Da 9:27+) It is evident that the reference is not to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, since the unprecedented destruction described in Mt 24:21 did not take place in 70. NET Note - Suffering unlike anything that has happened. Some refer this event to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. While the events of A.D. 70 may reflect somewhat the comments Jesus makes here, the reference to the scope and severity of this judgment strongly suggest that much more is in view. Most likely Jesus is referring to the great end-time judgment on Jerusalem in the great tribulation. John
Marcos 13
Wuest comments that "This election does not imply the rejection of the rest (those not chosen out), but is the outcome of the love of God lavished upon those chosen-out." ) Election is God's eternal choice of persons unto everlasting life -- not because of foreseen merit in them, but of His mere mercy in Christ - in consequence of which choice they are called, justified, and glorified.
Marcos 13
Wuest - “Signs” is semeion“a miracle whose purpose is that of attesting the claims of the one performing the miracle to be true.” “Wonders” is teras “a miracle whose purpose it is to awaken amazement in the beholder.” It is the same miracle regarded from different standpoints. Our Lord warns Israel against accepting the claims of one who performs miracles solely upon the basis of the fact that he performs miracles. The character of the person and his message must also be taken into consideration."
Marcos 13
Wuest - "The functional disturbances in the sun, moon, and stars occur at the close of the great Tribulation period, and are literal." McKenna remarks, “When the sign of His coming is given, it will defy scientists and pseudoscientists, astronomers and astrologers, but there will be no way to misread its purpose.” Moon is pheggos which "refers to the light of the sun reflected by the moon, which is analogous to the church's reflection of the glory of Christ. This culminating darkness will end when He who is the "bright and morning star" dispels it once and for all (Rev 22:16-note)." (Zodhiates) Will be darkened (4654)(skotizo from skia = shadow) means literally to be or become dark or to be unable to give light (Mt 24:29, Mk 13:24, Eccl 12:2). Isaiah had prophesied of this future frightful Day of the Lord when God will punish the world for its intractable godlessness and wanton evil... Behold, the Day of the Lord is coming, cruel, with fury and burning anger, To make the land a desolation; and He will exterminate its sinners from it. For (term of explanation - explaining how this Day will be characterized) the stars of heaven and their constellations will not flash forth their light; The sun will be dark when it rises and the moon will not shed its light. Thus I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud and abase the haughtiness of the ruthless. I will make mortal man scarcer than pure gold and mankind than the gold of Ophir. Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken from its place at the fury of the LORD of hosts In the day of His burning anger. (Isaiah 13:9-13+)
Marcos 13
Wuest adds that agrupneo "is the opposite of listlessness, expressing alertness." (Ref) In sum, agrupneo expresses wakefulness and watchfulness, for the latter could hardly transpire without the former. It is interesting that BDAG has two meanings for agrupneo, the first meaning "to be vigilant in awareness of threatening peril" which indeed would apply to all who are unbelievers, who are in great peril should Jesus return and they have procrastinated in regard to believing in Him! The second meaning in BDAG is to "be alertly concerned about" and would be apropos for all genuine believers. We keep alert because of our hope of heaven, while the lost world is vigilant regarding the peril of hell. Share the Good News with someone this week beloved reader! While we still have time! (cf 2 Cor 6:2). A T
Marcos 13
Wuest - Vincent’s note is helpful: “The apostles are thus compared with the doorkeepers, verse 34; and the night season is in keeping with the figure. In the temple, during the night, the captain of the temple made his rounds, and the guards had to rise at his approach and salute him in a particular manner. Any guard found asleep on duty was beaten, or his garments set on fire. Compare Revelation 16:15, ‘Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments.’ The preparations for the morning service required all to be early astir. The superintending priest might knock at the door at any moment. The Rabbis use almost the very words in which scripture describes the unexpected coming of the Master. Sometimes he comes at the cockcrowing, sometimes a little earlier, sometimes a little later. He came and knocked and they opened to him (Edersheim, ‘The Temple’).” The words “when the time is” of verse 33 are defined in their context as the time of the return of the Master, namely, the second Advent of the Messiah to Israel. Mark 13:35 "Therefore, be on the alert--for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows in the morning-- NET Mark 13:35 Stay alert, then, because you do not know when the owner of the house will return– whether during evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or at dawn– NLT Mark 13:35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don't know when the master of the household will return-- in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. ESV Mark 13:35 Therefore stay awake-- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning-- NIV Mark 13:35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. GNT Mark 13:35 γρηγορεῖτε οὖν· οὐκ οἴδατε γὰρ πότε ὁ κύριος τῆς οἰκίας ἔρχεται, ἢ ὀψὲ ἢ μεσονύκτιον ἢ ἀλεκτοροφωνίας ἢ πρωΐ, KJV Mark 13:35 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: YLT Mark 13:35 watch ye, therefore, for ye have not known when the lord of the house doth come, at even, or at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or at the morning; ASV Mark 13:35 Watch therefore: for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning; CSB Mark 13:35 Therefore be alert, since you don't know when the master of the house is coming-- whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning. NKJ Mark 13:35 "Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming-- in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-- NRS Mark 13:35 Therefore, keep awake-- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, Mk 13:33 Mt 24:42,44 BE EVER READY Therefore - Term of conclusion. Since you do not know the time of the master's return. Here Jesus applies the parable to His disciples but in verse 37 He widens it to include all disciples because nobody knows when Jesus Christ will return Hiebert - In applying the lesson, Jesus made no distinction between the porter and the other servants. In their attitudes, all of His disciples must be like the porter. (Gospel of Mark) Be on the alert is a command in the present imperative once again calling for us to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey this as our lifestyle or habitual practice. Be on the alert (1127)(gregoreuo from egeiro = to arise, arouse) means to be watchful or to refrain from physical sleep. Later gregoreuo came to used in the moral and religious sphere and was used to call for one to be on the alert, in a constant state of readiness and vigilant (alertly watchful especially to avoid danger this word suggesting intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness; keenly alert to or heedful of trouble or danger as others are sleeping or unsuspicious). We are to be be watchful and ready to respond to external influences, focused, alert for the winds of temptation or overt attacks of evil. We are to remained alert lest we be deceived by the devil the deceiver or sin which is deceitful (Heb 3:13). For - Term of explanation, explaining why they (and we) were to be continually alert and vigilant. You do not know when the master of the house is coming -This uncertainty should motivate diligence in maintaining an alert state. The word master is kurios which suggests that Jesus is applying the picture of the absent landlord to Himself. Whether in the evening (6–9 P.M.), at midnight (9 P.M. till midnight), or when the rooster crows (midnight till 3 A.M.) in the morning (3–6 A.M.) - This was a common way to describe the four watches of the night (the Roman System of time). The point is that He could return on any of these watches. Hiebert notes that "The third watch derived its name from the familiar crowing of cocks about midway between midnight and sunrise." Mark 13:36 in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. NET Mark 13:36 or else he might find you asleep when he returns suddenly. NLT Mark 13:36 Don't let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. ESV Mark 13:36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. NIV Mark 13:36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. GNT Mark 13:36 μὴ ἐλθὼν ἐξαίφνης εὕρῃ ὑμᾶς καθεύδοντας. KJV Mark 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. YLT Mark 13:36 lest, having come suddenly, he may find you sleeping; ASV Mark 13:36 lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. CSB Mark 13:36 Otherwise, he might come suddenly and find you sleeping. NKJ Mark 13:36 "lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. NRS Mark 13:36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. NAB Mark 13:36 May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. NJB Mark 13:36 if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep. GWN Mark 13:36 Make sure he doesn't come suddenly and find you asleep. he finds: Mk 14:37,40 Pr 6:9-11 24:33,34 Song 3:1 5:2 Isa 56:10 Mt 24:48-51 Mt 25:5 Lu 21:34 22:45 Ro 13:11-14 Eph 5:14 1Th 5:6,7 THE DANGER WARNINGS ARE INTENDED TO AVERT in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep - He is Jesus. You is the disciples. The time of His return is unknown so that it will occur without warning. The idea of "asleep," would refer especially in the spiritual sense. . Hiebert - Suddenly states not the speed but the unexpectedness of the return. “If the suddenness causes disaster, the fault lies with those who have not watched. The time of our Lord’s absence is the world’s night, but it is no time for His servants to yield to spiritual sleep, to grow unresponsive to the hope of His return. (Gospel of Mark) Suddenly (1810)(exaiphnes from ek = of + aíphnes = suddenly) means happening unexpectedly, quickly without warning, unexpectedly, at once. Referring to the unexpected nature of Christ's Second Coming (Mk 13:36). Luke describes the sudden appearance of that "a light (the radiant Redeemer!) from heaven flashed around" Saul of Taursus (Acts 9:3+, Acts 22:6+). 5x - Mk. 13:36; Lk. 2:13; Lk. 9:39; Acts 9:3; Acts 22:6. Asleep (2518) katheudo from katá = an intensive + heúdō = to sleep) means literally to sleep, fall asleep or be fast asleep and figuratively to die or be dead (Matt. 9:24; Mark 5:39; Luke 8:52 cf. John 11:11-14; 1 Th. 5:10; Da 12:2). Another figurative sense speaks of an attitude of spiritual laziness or indifference, to be spiritually indolent, to be indifferent. The idea is to be "asleep" in your sin, secure and unconcerned in sin, or indolent and careless in the performance of duty (Eph 5.14, 1 Th 5:6, cf. parallel thought but not using katheudo in Ro 13:11-13; 1 Cor. 15:34). Mark 13:37 "What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!'" I say: Mk 13:33,35 Lu 12:41-46 WATCH FOR HIM The NLT paraphrases it "I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!" Luke 21:34-36+ is a good parallel to this passage - “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. 36 “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” What I say to you I say to all, Be on the alert - Jesus repeats the command be on the alert and He is calling for this to be our lifestyle (present imperative calling for one to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey)! Notice the word all signifying that this command is for every disciple of every age.