Mark 13:3-8

Jesus Begins His Response To The Disciples' Questions By Describing The Dreadful Events Which Are Initially To Come (13:3-8).

Undoubtedly shaken by what Jesus had told them, but confident that what He had said must be true, the two sets of brothers, Peter and Andrew, and James and John, came to Him to ask for further details. Their main interest was in when this destruction of the Temple would take place, and what, if any, signs would precede it. But Jesus gave far more than they asked as He began to outline the future, and their part in it, beginning with the serious troubles that would occur in the world, which would be like labour pains, which would issue in the Temple's destruction. The very seriousness of these labour pains serves to highlight how significant an event the destruction of the Temple was going to be.

Analysis.

a And as He sat on the mount of Olives opposite the Temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when these things are all about to be accomplished?” (Mark 13:3).

b And Jesus began to say to them, “Take care that no man leads you astray” (Mark 13:5).

c “Many will come in My name and say ‘I am the one' and will lead many astray” (Mark 13:6).

d “And when you will hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be troubled” (Mark 13:7 a).

e “These things must necessarily happen, but the end is not yet” (Mark 13:7 b).

d “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Mark 13:8 a).

c “There will be earthquakes in many places” (Mark 13:8 b).

b “There will be famines” (Mark 13:8 c).

a “These are the beginnings of birth pains” (8d).

Note that in ‘a' they seek the signs of when the destruction of the Temple will take place, and in the parallel they are told that what He has said are the initial signs which are similar to the first birth pains of a woman in labour with still some time to go. In ‘b' He is fearful lest in their spiritual hunger they are led astray, and in the parallel there will be famines. In ‘c' He is concerned that false Messiahs will arise and like a spiritual earthquake in the church lead many astray, and in the parallel there will be earthquakes in many places. In ‘d' there will be wars and rumours of wars, and in the parallel nation will rise against nation. Centrally in ‘e' all this must necessarily happen, but it is not the sign of ‘the end'.