21 And then if any man says to you, See, here is Christ; or, See, there; have no faith in it: 22 Because there will be false Christs and false prophets, and they will give signs and wonders in the hope of turning even the saints from the true way. 23 But take care; see, I have made all things clear to you before the time.
24 But in those days, after that time of trouble, the sun will be made dark and the moon will not give her light, 25 And the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers which are in the heavens will be moved. 26 And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels, and will get together his saints from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.
28 Take an example from the fig-tree: when its branches become soft and put out their leaves, you see that the summer is near; 29 Even so, when you see these things taking place, you may be certain that he is near, even at the doors. 30 Truly, I say to you, This generation will not come to an end till all these things are complete. 31 Heaven and earth will come to an end, but my words will not come to an end. 32 But of that day or that hour no one has knowledge, not even the angels in heaven, or the Son, but the Father. 33 Take care, keep watch with prayer: for you are not certain when the time will be. 34 It is as when a man who is in another country for a time, having gone away from his house, and given authority to his servants and to everyone his work, gives the porter an order to keep watch. 35 So you are to keep watch: because you are not certain when the master of the house is coming, in the evening, or in the middle of the night, or at the cock's cry, or in the morning; 36 For fear that, coming suddenly, he sees you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all, Keep watch.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 13:21-37
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.
Commentary on Mark 13:24-27
(Read Mark 13:24-27)
The disciples had confounded the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world. This mistake Christ set right, and showed that the day of Christ's coming, and the day of judgment, shall be after that tribulation. Here he foretells the final dissolution of the present frame and fabric of the world. Also, the visible appearance of the Lord Jesus coming in the clouds, and the gathering together of all the elect to him.
Commentary on Mark 13:28-37
(Read Mark 13:28-37)
We have the application of this prophetic sermon. As to the destruction of Jerusalem, expect it to come very shortly. As to the end of the world, do not inquire when it will come, for of that day and that hour knoweth no man. Christ, as God, could not be ignorant of anything; but the Divine wisdom which dwelt in our Saviour, communicated itself to his human soul according to the Divine pleasure. As to both, our duty is to watch and pray. Our Lord Jesus, when he ascended on high, left something for all his servants to do. We ought to be always upon our watch, in expectation of his return. This applies to Christ's coming to us at our death, as well as to the general judgment. We know not whether our Master will come in the days of youth, or middle age, or old age; but, as soon as we are born, we begin to die, and therefore we must expect death. Our great care must be, that, whenever our Lord comes, he may not find us secure, indulging in ease and sloth, mindless of our work and duty. He says to all, Watch, that you may be found in peace, without spot, and blameless.