131 And when he was going out of the Temple, one of his disciples said to him, Master, see, what stones and what buildings! 2 And Jesus said to him, Do you see these great buildings? there is not one stone here resting on another which will not be overturned. 3 And while he was seated on the Mountain of Olives opposite the Temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew said to him privately, 4 Say when these things will be, and what will be the sign when these things are all about to be done.
5 And Jesus said to them, Take care that you are not tricked by anyone. 6 People will come in my name, saying, I am he; and a number will be turned from the true way. 7 And when you have news of wars and talk of wars, do not be troubled; these things have to be, but it is still not the end. 8 Nation will go to war with nation, and kingdom with kingdom: there will be earth-shocks in different places; there will be times when there is no food; these things are the first of the troubles. 9 But take care: for they will give you up to the Sanhedrins; and in Synagogues you will be whipped; and you will be taken before rulers and kings because of me, for a sign to them. 10 And the good news has first to be given to all the nations. 11 And when you are taken and given up to be judged, do not be troubled about what to say: but whatever is given to you in that hour, say: because it is not you who say it, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will give up brother to death, and the father his child; and children will go against their fathers and mothers, and put them to death. 13 And you will be hated by all men, because of my name; but he who goes through to the end will have salvation.
14 But when you see the unclean thing which makes destruction, in the place where it has no right to be (let this be clear to the reader), then let those who are in Judaea go quickly to the mountains: 15 And let him who is on the house-top not go down, or go in, to take anything out of his house: 16 And let not him who is in the field go back to take his coat. 17 And it will be hard for women who are with child and for her who has a baby at the breast in those days. 18 And say a prayer that it may not be in the winter. 19 For in those days there will be sorrow, such as there has not been from the time when God made the world till now, and will not ever be again. 20 And if the Lord had not made the time short, no flesh would have been kept from destruction; but because of the saints he has made the time short.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 13:1-20
Commentary on Mark 13:1-4
(Read Mark 13:1-4)
See how little Christ values outward pomp, where there is not real purity of heart. He looks with pity upon the ruin of precious souls, and weeps over them, but we do not find him look with pity upon the ruin of a fine house. Let us then be reminded how needful it is for us to have a more lasting abode in heaven, and to be prepared for it by the influences of the Holy Spirit, sought in the earnest use of all the means of grace.
Commentary on Mark 13:5-13
(Read Mark 13:5-13)
Our Lord Jesus, in reply to the disciples' question, does not so much satisfy their curiosity as direct their consciences. When many are deceived, we should thereby be awakened to look to ourselves. And the disciples of Christ, if it be not their own fault, may enjoy holy security and peace of mind, when all around is in disorder. But they must take heed that they are not drawn away from Christ and their duty to him, by the sufferings they will meet with for his sake. They shall be hated of all men: trouble enough! Yet the work they were called to should be carried on and prosper. Though they may be crushed and borne down, the gospel cannot be. The salvation promised is more than deliverance from evil, it is everlasting blessedness.
Commentary on Mark 13:14-23
(Read Mark 13:14-23)
The Jews in rebelling against the Romans, and in persecuting the Christians, hastened their own ruin apace. Here we have a prediction of that ruin which came upon them within less than forty years after this. Such destruction and desolation, that the like cannot be found in any history. Promises of power to persevere, and cautions against falling away, well agree with each other. But the more we consider these things, the more we shall see abundant cause to flee without delay for refuge to Christ, and to renounce every earthly object, for the salvation of our souls.