1 hr
Mark 13:1-23 Eternal City Church Sermons
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- Christianity
This 13th chapter of Mark is one of the most interesting and hardest to interpret chapters in the entire gospel. The language is prophetic and cryptic at times however it clearly describes Jesus coming in judgement on Jerusalem and the current expression of Judaism that opposed Jesus and the apostles claims and message. Bellow you will find more depth into the text and questions for further study:
Mark 13:1-23 (ESV)
Theological Context:
There are two dominant theological positions that impact how to handle this entire chapter:
1. Preterism: Either all of a majority of Jesus’ prophecy occurs by AD 70 when Rome sieges Jerusalem and destroys the temple
2. Futurism: Jesus’ prophecy is not yet fulfilled but will be fulfilled in the future during a time of tribulation followed by a physical, literal millennial kingdom.
Reminder: Mark is written most like around AD 65
Jesus Predicts the Temple Destruction (1-4)
Josephus, a 1st century Jewish historian, described the temple as “the most glorious building he had seen,” and stated that some stones were over 40 ft long, 15 ft wide, and 10 ft tall, weighing 600 tons
The disciples use of the plural “these things” indicates they understood the temple destruction as part of a larger series of events
Jesus Describes the Temple Destruction (5-23)
This section forms a chiastic structure as follows:
People claim to speak for Jesus (5-6)
Reports of war and natural disasters (7-8)
Believers are persecuted (9-13)
Fighting and tribulation in Jerusalem (14-20)
People claim to be Christ (21-23)
In this chiastic framework, Jesus is emphasizing that Christians during this time will need to be watching because persecution is coming.
The word “see” in v 5, “be on your guard” in v 9, and “be on your guard” in v 23 are the same Greek word meaning “watch.” It is a plural imperative so “You watch” is the literal translation.
Notice the phrase in v 7 “this must take place” demonstrating that even in the midst of wars and destruction God’s active supervision of the world is still going according to His plan.
In v 7 again, “the end is not yet,” discuss if this is referring to AD 70 or future end times. What fits the context the best? Does the timing of Mark’s writing impact your perspective?
In v 14, the “abomination of desolation” is taken from Daniel 9:27. The ESV correctly translates the phrase “standing where he ought not” as standing is a masculine singular verb. This seems to indicate that this activity refers to a person not a thing.
Questions:
Do you believe these events refer to AD 70 or a future end times? Why?
How does knowing God is sovereign orient our perspective when we see problems in the world?
What is encouraging for you from this passage of scripture?
This 13th chapter of Mark is one of the most interesting and hardest to interpret chapters in the entire gospel. The language is prophetic and cryptic at times however it clearly describes Jesus coming in judgement on Jerusalem and the current expression of Judaism that opposed Jesus and the apostles claims and message. Bellow you will find more depth into the text and questions for further study:
Mark 13:1-23 (ESV)
Theological Context:
There are two dominant theological positions that impact how to handle this entire chapter:
1. Preterism: Either all of a majority of Jesus’ prophecy occurs by AD 70 when Rome sieges Jerusalem and destroys the temple
2. Futurism: Jesus’ prophecy is not yet fulfilled but will be fulfilled in the future during a time of tribulation followed by a physical, literal millennial kingdom.
Reminder: Mark is written most like around AD 65
Jesus Predicts the Temple Destruction (1-4)
Josephus, a 1st century Jewish historian, described the temple as “the most glorious building he had seen,” and stated that some stones were over 40 ft long, 15 ft wide, and 10 ft tall, weighing 600 tons
The disciples use of the plural “these things” indicates they understood the temple destruction as part of a larger series of events
Jesus Describes the Temple Destruction (5-23)
This section forms a chiastic structure as follows:
People claim to speak for Jesus (5-6)
Reports of war and natural disasters (7-8)
Believers are persecuted (9-13)
Fighting and tribulation in Jerusalem (14-20)
People claim to be Christ (21-23)
In this chiastic framework, Jesus is emphasizing that Christians during this time will need to be watching because persecution is coming.
The word “see” in v 5, “be on your guard” in v 9, and “be on your guard” in v 23 are the same Greek word meaning “watch.” It is a plural imperative so “You watch” is the literal translation.
Notice the phrase in v 7 “this must take place” demonstrating that even in the midst of wars and destruction God’s active supervision of the world is still going according to His plan.
In v 7 again, “the end is not yet,” discuss if this is referring to AD 70 or future end times. What fits the context the best? Does the timing of Mark’s writing impact your perspective?
In v 14, the “abomination of desolation” is taken from Daniel 9:27. The ESV correctly translates the phrase “standing where he ought not” as standing is a masculine singular verb. This seems to indicate that this activity refers to a person not a thing.
Questions:
Do you believe these events refer to AD 70 or a future end times? Why?
How does knowing God is sovereign orient our perspective when we see problems in the world?
What is encouraging for you from this passage of scripture?
1 hr