The Messiah Ministers on the Mount of Olives. - Mark 13:1-37
See note on 11:1. This section of the gospel is sometimes called The Olivet Discourse. This is the longest speech by Jesus that Mark reported in his gospel. In these verses Jesus prophesied many things that were to come, but his purpose was not to give detailed description of future events. His purpose was to continue preparing his disciples for kingdom life and ministry when he would no longer be with them. Jesus warned them of the difficulties of the coming days and encouraged them by assuring them of the final victory of the kingdom of God. In these 37 verses he gave them 19 commands encouraging them to trust him and remain faithful. Jesus' commandments grew out of the future circumstances he described.
The temple complex - Mark 13:1-4
The
temple complex had been expanded and beautified by Herod until it took up 1/6 of the area of the city. Some of the
stones were 45 feet long, 12 feet high and 15 feet wide.
Temple destruction prophecy fulfilled - Mark 13:2
Jesus prophecy of the destruction of the temple was fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Roman army of Titus destroyed the city.
Mount of Olives' view- Mark 13:3-4
Because the Mount of Olives was higher in elevation than Jerusalem it afforded a beautiful view of the city, and especially of the temple. The disciples asked when Jesus' prophecy of the destruction of the temple would be fulfilled.
Danger of being led astray - Mark 13:5-6
This is the first of four times in this chapter (9, 23, 33) that Jesus warned them to
be careful. Here he specified that they must
be careful about the danger of being
led astray by imposters who would claim to be the Messiah.
Fulfillment of God's sovereign will - Mark 13:7-8
The
end refers to the end of this present age when the kingdom of God will come in all of its fullness. (See Matt. 24:3.)
Wars,
rumors of wars, earthquakes, and
famines are not signs that the end is near. They would only be the
beginnings of what could be a long process of fulfillment. They
must happen. When Mark used this word he regularly was referring to the fulfillment of God's sovereign will (8:31; 9:11; 13:10). Such calamities are a natural part of this fallen world order. Jesus, like the Old Testament prophets (Isa. 26:17-19; Mic.4:9, 10), used the metaphor of
birth pangs to describe a time of suffering.
Suffering of disciples - Mark 13:9-13
In this paragraph Jesus shifted focus from international struggles to the suffering of his disciples. Jesus warned them that they would be
beaten,
arrested,
handed over to authorities by Jewish leaders and even by family members, and
hated.
Sanhedrin - Mark 13:9
The plural
councils is a translation of the word which often is translated as Sanhedrin when it is in the singular and refers to the ruling body of Judaism in Jerusalem. The plural form probably refers to Jewish ruling councils in the many cities of Palestine and the larger Mediterranean world.
The Holy Spirit would lead them. - Mark 13:10-13
Jesus encouraged them by prophesying that the gospel must be
proclaimed and would ultimately result in the world wide spread of the faith. He added that it would only take place in the context of severe persecution. In the face of such persecution Jesus promised them that the Holy Spirit would lead them and that ultimately they would be
saved.
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