Marcos 13

Theophylact of Ohrid

Marcos 13:1

Marcos 13:1-2

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] For, since the Lord had spoken much concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, His disciples wondered, that such numerous and beautiful buildings were to be destroyed; and this is the reason why they point out the beauty of the temple, and He answers not only that they were to be destroyed, but also that one stone should not be left upon another: wherefore it goes on: And 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. Now some may endeavour to prove that Christ's words were false, by saying that many ruins were left, but this is not at all the point; for though some ruins had been left, still at the consummation of all things one stone shall not be left upon another. Besides it is related, that Ælius Adrian overturned the city and the temple from the foundation, so that the word of the Lord here spoken was fulfilled. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:2

But He foretold that, nevertheless, of all this not even one stone would be left upon another. Against this, some say that many remnants of the ancient city of Jerusalem have survived, and thus they attempt to make Christ out to be a liar. But this is in vain, for even if some remnants have been preserved (which, however, is not true), before the universal end not one stone will be left upon another. Moreover, history testifies that Aelius Hadrian dug up the very foundations of the city and the temple, so that through him the prophecy was fulfilled that not one stone would be left upon another. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:3-4

Since the Lord spoke much about the desolation of Jerusalem, for example: "your house is left unto you desolate" (Matt. 23:38), the disciples marveled that such magnificent and beautiful buildings were to perish, and therefore they showed Him the striking splendor of the temple. But He foretold that, nevertheless, of all this not even one stone would be left upon another. Against this, some say that many remnants of the ancient city of Jerusalem have survived, and thus they attempt to make Christ out to be a liar. But this is in vain, for even if some remnants have been preserved (which, however, is not true), before the universal end not one stone will be left upon another. Moreover, history testifies that Aelius Hadrian dug up the very foundations of the city and the temple, so that through him the prophecy was fulfilled that not one stone would be left upon another. When the Lord was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him asking: "When will this be?" — that is, when will what was foretold about Jerusalem be fulfilled? But He, before answering their question, strengthens their minds so that they would not be led astray. For at the beginning of the calamities in Judea, men appeared who called themselves teachers; therefore the Lord also says: "Take heed that no one deceive you." — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:5-6

"Many will come," such as, for example, Judas the Galilean and Theudas, who passed themselves off as God's anointed ones. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:5-6

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] But before answering their question, He strengthens their minds that they may not be deceived, wherefore there follows: And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you? And this He says, because when the sufferings of the Jews began, some arose professing to be teachers, wherefore there follows: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:7

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] That is, the Romans against the Jews, which Josephus relates happened before the destruction of Jerusalem. For when the Jews refused to pay tribute, the Romans arose, in anger; but because at that time they were merciful they took indeed their spoils, but did not destroy Jerusalem. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:7

"You will hear," He says, "of wars"; these are the wars about which Josephus Flavius also recounts and which took place before the destruction of Jerusalem. The Jews at that time revolted and ceased paying tribute to the Romans, and the angered Romans went to war against them and made constant attacks. "But this is not yet the end" of Jerusalem, for the Romans still showed clemency. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:8

And it was not wars alone, but also other God-sent punishments — famine and earthquakes — which clearly showed the Jews that God Himself was waging war against them. Yet all this was only "the beginning of sorrows," that is, of the calamities that awaited them. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:8

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] What follows shows that God fought against the Jews, for it is said, And there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:9

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Fitly also did He premise a recital of those things which concerned the Apostles, that in their own tribulations they might find some consolation in the community of troubles and sufferings. There follows: And ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. He says kings and rulers, as, for instance, Agrippa, Nero, and Herod. Again, His saying, for my sake, gave them no small consolation, in that they were about to suffer for His sake. For a testimony against them, means, as a judgment beforehand against them, that they might be inexcusable, in that though the Apostles were labouring for the truth, they would not join themselves to it. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:9

But you, He says, take heed, for they will deliver you up to councils. He introduces the discourse about them at the right moment — that they will be delivered up to councils — so that from the common calamities they might receive some consolation in their own personal afflictions. But when the Lord said, "before governors and kings you shall be brought for My sake," by these words too He gave no small consolation to the disciples, namely that they would suffer for His sake. "For a testimony against them," that is, so that they would be without excuse and would see their own condemnation in this very fact: that while persecuting you, they cannot overcome the truth. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:10

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Then, that they might not think that their preaching should be impeded by troubles and dangers, He adds: And the Gospel must first be published among all nations. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:10

And lest the disciples should think that troubles and sorrows would hinder the preaching of the Gospel, the Lord says that "the Gospel must first be preached among all nations," and only then would Jerusalem be given over to desolation. And that the Gospel was indeed preached everywhere before the destruction of Jerusalem, hear Paul: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth," he says, "and their words to the ends of the world" (Rom. 10:18). And this circumstance served for the greater condemnation of the Jews — namely, that the preaching had spread everywhere even before the destruction of Jerusalem. For seeing that this preaching had spread throughout the whole world in a short time, they should have recognized in it the power of God, repented, and thus been delivered from their calamities. But they did not come to their senses; therefore they will be subjected to all the greater condemnation. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:11

Indeed, before the decisive war of the Romans against the Jews began, what did the apostles not suffer from them, being delivered up to courts and led before kings: Herod, Agrippa, and Nero? But you, He says, "do not worry beforehand what you will" answer: at that very hour the Holy Spirit will give you what you must say. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:12

At the same time He also foretells to them that which is worst of all, namely, that they will be persecuted even by their own household members. He says this so that, hearing about it in advance, they might prepare themselves for the trials and afterward be able to bear them easily. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:12

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] He also foretells to them a worse evil, that they should suffer persecution from their relations. Wherefore there follows: 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; and ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:13

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] And this He says, that on hearing it, they might prepare themselves to bear persecutions and ills with greater patience. Then He brings them consolation, saying, And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; for the being hated for Christ's sake is a sufficient reason for suffering persecutions patiently, for it is not the punishment, but the cause, that makes the martyr. Again, that which follows is no small comfort amidst persecution: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:13

Then follows consolation: for My sake, He says, you will be hated. This is the greatest relief in misfortune. Great consolation also lies in the fact that he who endures to the end will be saved. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:14

By "the abomination of desolation" is meant the statue of the one who subjected the city of Jerusalem to desolation. For "abomination" is the name given to every idol; it was called "the abomination of desolation" because it was placed inside the inaccessible sanctuary of the temple, when Jerusalem was taken and through this was subjected to desolation. Moreover, Pilate had already brought an image of Caesar into the temple by night, and through this was the cause of a great uprising among the people. From that time began both the wars and the desolation of Jerusalem. "Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains." He said well: "those who are in Judea" (everyone in general, and not the apostles), for the apostles were not in Judea at that time, but, as has been said, even before the war they had been driven out of Jerusalem or, rather, had departed from it of their own accord, being moved by the Holy Spirit. So let those remaining in Judea flee. But one can also understand this in a moral sense. Thus, the "abomination of desolation" is every satanic thought standing "in the holy place" — in our mind. In this case, "let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains," that is, through confession let them ascend to the mountains of virtues (Judea means "confession," "proclamation"). — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:14

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Or he means by the abomination of desolation, the entrance of enemies into the city by violence. And well does he say, Who are in Judæa, for the Apostles were no longer in Judæa, but before the battle had been driven from Jerusalem. We must also avoid sin with fervour, and not coldly and quietly. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:15-16

And whoever is on the housetop, let him not return to his house for anything: he should be glad even if he escapes naked. And whoever already stands on the height, let him not come down from it. For when any passionate thought arises in us, then we must through confession hasten to the height of virtue and not descend from that height. And let the one doing good not turn back to take up his former conscience — the old garment which he had stripped off. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:17

But woe then to women who have children and to those who are pregnant. Why? Because the former, having children and being held back by love for them, cannot flee; and for those with child it will be difficult to flee because of the burden of pregnancy. But I think that here child-eating is also indicated, for the besieged Jews during the famine laid hands even upon their own children. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:17

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] But it seems to me, that in these words He foretells the eating of children, for when afflicted by famine and pestilence, they laid hands on their children. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:18

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] That is, lest they who wish to fly should be impeded by the difficulties of the season. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:18

If the flight had occurred in winter, the difficulty of the season would have hindered those wishing to flee. And woe to the one fleeing in winter, for we must flee from sin with warmth, that is, with repentance, and not with coldness, motionlessly — which is what fleeing in winter signifies. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:19

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] And He fitly gives the cause for so great a necessity for flight; saying, 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. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:19

And in general, the tribulation will be the most grievous of all that have ever been or will be. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:20

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] That is, if the Roman war had not been soon finished, no flesh should be saved; that is, no Jew should have escaped; but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, that is, for the sake of the believing Jews, or who were hereafter to believe, He hath shortened the days, that is, the war was soon finished, for God foresaw that many Jews would believe after the destruction of the city; for which reason He would not suffer the whole race to be utterly destroyed. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:20

"And if the Lord had not shortened those days," that is, if He had not quickly ended the wars of the Romans, "no flesh would have been saved," not a single Jew would have remained. "But for the sake of the elect," that is, those from among the Jews who had believed and those who were to believe afterward, the war ended quickly. For God, foreseeing that after the captivity many of the Jews would come to believe, for this reason did not allow the Jewish people to perish utterly. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:21

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] After that the Lord had finished all that concerned Jerusalem, He now speaks of the coming of Antichrist, saying, Then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not. But when He says, then, think not that it means immediately after these things are fulfilled about Jerusalem; as Matthew also says after the birth of Christ, In those days came John the Baptist; (Matt. 3:1) does he mean immediately after the birth of Christ? No, but he speaks indefinitely and without precision. So also here, then may be taken to mean not when Jerusalem shall be made desolate, but about the time of the coming of Antichrist. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:21

Marcos 13:22

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] For false Christs and false prophets shall arise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. For many shall take upon them the name of Christ, so as to seduce even the faithful. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:22

Do not be deceived, He says, for many will call themselves by the name of Christ, in order to lead astray even the elect. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:24

And upon the coming of the Antichrist, all creation will be changed: the sun and moon will grow dark from the superabundance of Christ's light. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:24

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] But after the coming of Antichrist, the frame of the world shall be altered and changed, for the stars shall be obscured on account of the abundance of the brightness of Christ. Wherefore it goes on: But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light; and the stars of heaven shall fall. That is, the Angelic virtues shall be astonished, seeing that such great things are done, and that their fellow-servants are judged. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:25

The stars will fall from heaven, and the angelic powers "will be shaken," that is, they will be horrified, looking upon such an upheaval in the world and seeing their fellow servants being judged. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:26

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] But they shall see the Lord as the Son of Man, that is, in the body, for that which is seen is body. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:26

The Lord finished His discourse about Jerusalem; next He begins to speak about the coming of the Antichrist. The word "then" should not be understood as meaning that when the above-mentioned things concerning Jerusalem begin to be fulfilled, then do not believe if someone says to you, "Behold, here is Christ"; but know that this is a particular characteristic of Scripture. Thus, the evangelist Matthew, having spoken of the Nativity of Christ, says, "In those days John comes" (Mt. 3:1). In what days? In those which immediately followed the Nativity of Christ? No, but indefinitely. So here too Christ says: then do not be deceived, that is, not at the time when Jerusalem will be devastated, but at the time of the coming of the Antichrist. Do not be deceived, He says, for many will call themselves by the name of Christ, in order to lead astray even the elect. And upon the coming of the Antichrist, all creation will be changed: the stars will grow dark from the superabundance of Christ's light, and the angelic powers "will be shaken," that is, they will be horrified, looking upon such an upheaval in the world and seeing their fellow servants being judged. And then they will see the Lord as the Son of Man, that is, in the flesh, for what is visible in Him is His body. But although He will come both in the body and as the Son of Man, nevertheless it will be "with great power and glory." — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:27

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Observe that Christ sends the Angels as well as the Father; where then are they who say that He is not equal to the Father? For the Angels go forth to gather together the faithful, who are chosen, that they may be carried into the air to meet Jesus Christ. Wherefore it goes on: And gather together his elect from the four winds. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:27

Do you see that the Son also sends the Angels, just as the Father does? Where then are those who say that He is not equal to God the Father? The Angels will come then in order to gather the elect, who, having been caught up on the clouds, will in this manner meet the Lord. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:28

And what I say, the Lord continues, you can understand from the example of the fig tree. Just as the fig tree, having covered itself with leaves, shows that the harvest is near. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:28

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] As if He had said, As when the fig tree puts forth its leaves, summer follows at once, so also after the woes of Antichrist, at once, without an interval, shall be the coming of Christ, who will be to the just as summer after winter, but to sinners, winter after summer. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:29

So too after the sorrowful time of the Antichrist, the second coming of Christ will immediately follow, which for the righteous will be exactly like the harvest after winter, and for sinners — winter after the harvest. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:29

Marcos 13:30

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Or else, This generation shall not pass away, that is, the generation of Christians, until all things be fulfilled, which were spoken concerning Jerusalem and the coming of Antichrist; for He does not mean the generation of the Apostles, for the greater part of the Apostles did not live up to the destruction of Jerusalem. But He says this of the generation of Christians, wishing to console His disciples, lest they should believe that the faith should fail at that time. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:30

"Truly I say to you: this generation shall not pass away," that is, the generation of the faithful or of Christians, "until all these things come to pass" — everything said concerning Jerusalem and the coming of the Antichrist. The Lord speaks here not of the apostolic generation, for the apostles will not continue living until the end of the world: many of them did not even live to see the destruction of Jerusalem. Therefore, by "this generation" He here means the Christian generation, thus comforting the apostles, lest they think that amid such grievous calamities the faith might perhaps utterly fail. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:31

The Lord says: take courage, the generation of the faithful shall not pass away nor shall it fail. Sooner shall heaven and earth, those seemingly unshakable elements, pass away than My words fail to be fulfilled in anything, for all that I have said shall come to pass. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:31

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] For the immoveable elements shall first fail, before the words of Christ fail; wherefore it is added, Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:32

Wishing to restrain the disciples from curiosity about the last day and hour, the Lord says that neither the Angels nor the Son know of this. If He had said, "I know, but I do not wish to reveal it to you," then He would have grieved them. But now, when He says that neither the Angels nor I know, He acts most wisely and completely restrains them from the desire to know and to pester Him. You can understand this from an example. Small children, seeing something in their fathers' hands, often ask them for it, and if the fathers do not wish to give it, the children, not receiving what they ask for, begin to cry. In such a case, fathers usually hide the thing held in their hands and, showing the children their empty hands, restrain them from tears. So also the Lord, dealing with the apostles as with children, hid the last day from them. Otherwise, if He had said, "I know, but I will not tell you," they would have been grieved that He did not wish to tell them. But that the Lord knows about the last day and hour is obvious, for He Himself created the ages. How then could He not know what He Himself created? — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:32

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] The Lord wishing to prevent His disciples from asking about that day and hour, says, But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. For if He had said, I know, but I will not reveal it to you, He would have saddened them not a little; but He acted more wisely, and prevents their asking such a question, lest they should importune Him, by saying, neither the Angels nor I. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:33

Moreover, for our benefit God has hidden the end of life, both of the common life and of each of us individually, so that we, in the uncertainty of this end, might ceaselessly strive, expecting it and fearing lest it find us unprepared. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:33

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] But He teaches us two things, watching and prayer; for many of us watch, but watch only to pass the night in wickedness; He now follows this up with a parable, saying, For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave his servants power over every work, and commanded the porter to watch. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:35-36

But let us also consider what is said from another perspective. Evening signifies the end when someone dies in old age; midnight, when someone reaches the middle of life; cockcrow, when reason begins to unfold in us, for the cock signifies reason, which awakens us from the sleep of unconsciousness, and therefore, when a youth begins to exercise reason and to understand, then the cock, as it were, crows in him. Finally, morning signifies the very earliest age of childhood. Thus, all must think about the end of life. Even if there is an infant, care must be taken for it, lest it die unbaptized. — Commentary on Mark

Marcos 13:35-36

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] See again that He has not said, I know not when the time will be, but, Ye know not. For the reason why He concealed it was that it was better for us; for if, now that we know not the end, we are careless, what should we do if we knew it? We should keep on our wickednesses even unto the end. Let us therefore attend to His words; for the end comes at even, when a man dies in old age; at midnight, when he dies in the midst of his youth; and at cockcrow, when our reason is perfect within us; for when a child begins to live according to his reason, then the cock cries loud within him, rousing him from the sleep of sense; but the age of childhood is the morning. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:37

[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Now all these ages must look out for the end; for even a child must be watched, lest he die unbaptized. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas

Marcos 13:37

The Lord commands this to all in general — both to people in the world and to hermits. Therefore, we must watch and pray, fulfilling both the one and the other, for many, although they watch, spend the nights not in prayer but in wicked deeds. Note also that Christ did not now say, "I do not know when the time of the end will come," but "you do not know," for He hid this time for our benefit. If even in the uncertainty of the end we are hostile toward one another, what would we not have done if we knew the time of the end? Then we would spend all the time of life until death in exceedingly wicked deeds, and on the last day, expressing repentance, we would fall into an even worse state. — Commentary on Mark