Mark 13:5

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.

(5) And Jesus answering them began to say. —The report which follows, common as it is to the first three Gospels, serves as an admirable example of the extent of variation compatible with substantial accuracy, and with the recognition of an inspired guidance as ensuring that accuracy. The discourse obviously made a deep impression on those who heard it, as afterwards on those to whom they repeated it, and so it passed from mouth to mouth, but probably it was not committed to writing till the events which it foretold came within the horizon. On all points common to the three records, see Notes on Matthew 24.

Mark 13:5-8 . Signs prelusive of the end ( Matthew 24:4-8 , Luke 21:8-11 ). Jerusalem’s judgment-day not to come till certain things have happened: advent of false Messiahs, rise of wars.— βλέπετε , take heed that no one deceive you; the ethical key-note struck at once; the aim of the whole discourse to help disciples to keep heads cool, and hearts brave in a perilous evil time ( vide on Mt.).

Verses 5, 6. - Take heed that no man lead you astray . The Greek word is πλανήση . Their first temptation would be of this kind - that many would come in Christ's name, saying, "I am he;" claiming, that is, the title which belonged to him alone. Such were Theudas ( Acts 5:36 ) and Simon Magus ( Acts 8:10 ), who, according to Jerome, said, "Ego sum Sermo Dei, ego speciosus, ego Paracletus, ego omnipotens, ego omnia." Such were Menander and the Gnostics. Mark 13:5

MARK 12: 42 A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. MARK 12: 43 He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, MARK 12: 44 for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.” [ Mark 13 ] MARK 13: 1 As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!” Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple, Mark 13:1, Mark 13:2. His disciples inquire when this shall be, and what previous sign there shall be of this calamity, Mark 13:3, Mark 13:4; which questions he answers very solemnly and minutely, vv. 5-27; illustrates the whole by a parable, Mark 13:28, Mark 13:29; asserts the absolute certainty of the events, Mark 13:30, Mark 13:31; shows that the precise minute cannot be known by man, Mark 13:32; and inculcates the necessity of watchfulness and prayer, Mark 13:33-37.