21 And then if any one say to you, Lo, here [is] the Christ, or Lo, there, believe [it] not. 22 For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and give signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 But do ye take heed: behold, I have told you all things beforehand.

The Coming of the Son of Man

24 But in those days, after that distress, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give its light; 25 and the stars of heaven shall be falling down, and the powers which are in the heavens shall be shaken; 26 and then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory; 27 and then shall he send his angels and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from end of earth to end of heaven.

28 But learn the parable from the fig-tree: when its branch already becomes tender and puts forth the leaves, ye know that the summer is near. 29 Thus also ye, when ye see these things happening, know that it is near, at the doors. 30 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall in no wise pass away, till all these things take place. 31 The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall in no wise pass away. 32 But of that day or of that hour no one knows, neither the angels who are in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray, for ye do not know when the time is: 34 [it is] as a man gone out of the country, having left his house and given to his bondmen the authority, and to each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper that he should watch. 35 Watch therefore, for ye do not know when the master of the house comes: evening, or midnight, or cock-crow, or morning; 36 lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 But what I say to you, I say to all, 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.