Chapter 13 of the Gospel of Mark
Observe the text to understand the author’s meaning
Read 13:1-2. Jesus’ teaching to the multitudes and responding to the religious leaders is over. He now spends his last hours with his disciples. This chapter now deals with teachings about the signs of the end.
What are the disciples saying about the temple? Do you see this as men who perhaps are making their first trip to Jerusalem and are in awe of the temple? What is Jesus’ response? Why does Jesus say this about the temple? What do we know about the temple from chapter 11? Is there an analogy with the fig tree? And the vineyard? Explain?
Read 13:3-32. Who is Jesus talking with here? Where is he? What is the question that the disciples ask? What do they mean by “these things?” Who will claim to be the messiah? What will relations be between nations?
What will the state of the natural world be? What will be the attitude of earthly rulers and church leaders to the followers of Jesus? What will relations be between family members?
The disciples were asking when Jesus the Messiah, King will ascend to his throne. When will Israel be restored to its former glory? When will they reign with Christ? Instead what is Christ’s answer?
Will the disciples find help and support from governments, the church, family members? Will Christians be persecuted more than non-believers? Where will the disciples give testimony to Jesus Christ?
Are there places later in the NT where you recall these things happening?
What is the disciple’s attitude to be? Notice in vs 5, they are not to be mislead; vs 7 they are not to be frightened; vs 11 they are not to be anxious.
In spite of all that is going on, and will go on, does chaos reign? Who is still in control of human affairs and the natural world?
Read Daniel 9:27, 11:31-35, 12:8-12 to see where the term “Abomination of Desolation” is used in the OT. How is this an encouragement to the disciples?
Do vs 14-19 recall to you another time of judgment in the OT when a city was destroyed for their wickedness and the survivors were told not to even look back?
False teachings which will be prevalent at the end times are not given, but the one central issue from which all others stem is given—there will false Messiahs. In vs 20-22 what are the characteristics of the false Christs? Who will be saved?
Read 13:33-37. How many times in these 5 verses is the phrase “keep on the alert,” or a phrase similar to it, used? What are they to be on the alert for? Who is coming? What will conditions be like before he comes? Will there be imposters?
Interpret the text
- Do you see this chapter as an encouragement to the disciples? How? As a warning? How?
- Calvin suggests that people will be so desperate for redemption, they will believe anyone who claims to offer salvation. Is that a problem today? Where and how are people looking today for salvation? Has this been throughout human history—part of our fallen condition? What is the protection against false Messiah’s who offer false notions of salvation?
- Why do you think the day of Christ’s coming is hidden from us?
- This is a glimpse of the “end of the story” what happens to the elect? evil? who will rule? How is this an encouragement to the disciples and to us?
Bible study notes
Mark 13:1-2. Calvin says that the temple took 10,000 workmen 8 years to build. It was no doubt an impressive structure. But this structure built with human hands, not eternal and with no power to save, blinds the disciples and others to the living God among them.
Mark 13:3-32. Calvin writes, “The teaching of the Gospel will never win the world’s favor and applause.” Why?
In vs 8, Jesus describes these cataclysmic events as “birth pangs.” This devastation will lead to new life. Interestingly, in Exodus 12:2, when God described the passover, he changed the calendar and made this Israel’s birthday. The plagues which were also cataclysmic events were the birth pangs of the redeemed people, a new kingdom. Now too, Jesus speaks of the birth pangs which precede the birth of a new kingdom.
Calvin suggests that people are so eager for redemption(no wonder!) they will believe imposters who promise it.
(Chapter 14 will follow in the next issue.)
This study first appeared in Theology Matters, Vol. 3, No. 2 (Mar/Apr 1997).
