MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:1 Herod the Great expanded the second TEMPLE to about double the size of Solomon’s temple (see note on Luke 21:5–6). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:2 The temple would be destroyed because of its misuse by the leaders (see Mark 12:9). NOT... ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER. Titus, son of the emperor Vespasian, destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 66–70. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len... [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:3 The MOUNT OF OLIVES (Olivet), with its spectacular view of the Temple Mount, stands just east of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley. Jesus and his disciples regularly crossed over Olivet on their way from Jerusalem through Bethphage (Luke 19:29) to Bethany (John 11:1), which w... [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:4 WHEN WILL THESE THINGS BE, AND WHAT WILL BE THE SIGN? Jesus’ answer deals primarily with the second part of the question, but he also addresses the timing of the coming events. The disciples assume that the destruction of the temple will coincide with the end of time, but Jesu... [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:8 The symbolic language of BIRTH PAINS (see note on Matt. 24:8) describes the increase in frequency and duration of these end-time events. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:14 THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION (see Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11) points to the Antichrist’s ultimate desecration of God’s temple (WHERE HE OUGHT NOT TO BE; some understand this as a literal, rebuilt temple, and others understand it as the people of God; see 2 Thess... [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:19 TRIBULATION will occur in conjunction with the Antichrist’s desecration of the temple (v. Mark 13:14). It will involve the worst suffering since the BEGINNING OF THE CREATION. The flight of Christians from Jerusalem in A.D. 67 pointed forward to this universal tribulation (se... [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:20 THE ELECT (see also vv. Mark 13:22, Mark 13:27) are those who have received God’s gracious and undeserved call to salvation (see note on Matt. 22:14). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:22 On testing FALSE PROPHETS, see notes on Matt. 7:15–20; 1 John 4:1. Unlike Scripture, SIGNS AND WONDERS are not clear indicators of God’s presence (compare the actions of the Antichrist in 2 Thessalonians 2:7). Jesus’ remark that even THE ELECT could be led astray emphasizes t... [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:24 AFTER THAT TRIBULATION clearly sets the further statements of Jesus apart from the preceding verses. SUN... MOON... STARS. Jesus now describes cosmic events (see note on Matt. 24:29) that will precede the COMING of the SON OF MAN (see note on Matt. 24:30). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:28 Some have understood FIG TREE here as a symbol for the nation of Israel (see note on 11:13–14), but it is more likely that in this case Jesus is just using a familiar event in nature as another illustration: WHEN YOU SEE THESE THINGS TAKING PLACE, YOU KNOW that Christ will co... [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:30 THIS GENERATION WILL NOT PASS AWAY UNTIL ALL THESE THINGS TAKE PLACE. See note on Matt. 24:34. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:31 MY WORDS WILL NOT PASS AWAY. Jesus claims that his words are more enduring than creation itself. He made the same claim for the words of the OT (Matthew 5:18). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:32 NOR THE SON. See note on Matt. 24:36. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MARK—NOTE ON MARK 13:33 This parable about A MAN GOING ON A JOURNEY is similar to the parable of the wicked tenants (Mark 12:1). The sudden return of the MASTER OF THE HOUSE corresponds to the sudden coming of the Son of Man (FIND YOU ASLEEP, Mark 13:36; see Luke 17:24). ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]