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Mark 13:36

Mark 13:36 in Multiple Translations

Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping.

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

For fear that, coming suddenly, he sees you sleeping.

You don't want to be caught sleeping if he returns unexpectedly.

Least if he come suddenly, he should finde you sleeping.

lest, having come suddenly, he may find you sleeping;

lest, coming suddenly, he might find you sleeping.

Lest coming suddenly, he should find you sleeping.

Lest coming on a sudden, he find you sleeping.

May it not happen that when I come suddenly, I will find that you are not ready!

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Berean Amplified Bible — Mark 13:36

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Mark 13:36 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK μη ελθων εξαιφνης ευρη υμας καθευδοντας
μη G3361 not Particle-N
ελθων erchomai G2064 to come/go Verb-2AAP-NSM
εξαιφνης exaiphnēs G1810 suddenly Adv
ευρη ehuriskō G2147 to find/meet Verb-2AAS-3S
υμας su G4771 you Pron-2AP
καθευδοντας katheudō G2518 to sleep Verb-PAP-APM
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Greek Word Reference — Mark 13:36

μη G3361 "not" Particle-N
Not is a word used to show that something is not true or is not happening, like in phrases that say 'lest' or 'God forbid', as seen in various parts of the New Testament.
Definition: μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] __I. As a neg. adv., not; __1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. __2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. __3. In conditional and final sentences, after εἰ, ἐάν, ἄν, ἵνα, ὅπως: Mat.10:14, Mrk.6:11 12:19, Luk.9:5, Jhn.6:50, Rom.11:25, al. __4. C. inf. (see M, Pr., 234f., 239, 255), __(a) after verbs of saying, etc.: Mat.2:12 5:34, Mrk.12:18, Act.15:38, Rom.2:21, al.; __(b) with artic. inf.: after a prep., Mat.13:5, Mrk.4:5, Act.7:19, 1Co.10:6, al.; without a prep., Rom.14:13, 2Co.2:1, 13 1Th 4:6; __(with) in sentences expressing consequence, after ὥστε: Mat.8:28, Mrk.3:20, 1Co.1:7, 2Co.3:7, al. __5. C. ptcp. (see M, Pr., 231f., 239), in hypothetical references to persons of a certain character or description: Mat.10:28 12:30, Luk.6:49, Jhn.3:18, Rom.4:5, 1Co.7:38, 1Jn.3:10, al.; where the person or thing being definite, the denial is a matter of opinion: Jhn.6:64, 1Co.1:28 4:7, 18, 2Co.5:21, al.; where the ptcp. has a concessive, causal or conditional force, if, though, because not: Mat.18:25, Luk.2:45, Jhn.7:49, Act.9:26, Rom.2:14 5:13, 2Co.3:14, Gal.6:9, Ju 5; where the ptcp. has a descriptive force (being such as), not: Act.9:9, Rom.1:28, 1Co.10:33, Gal.4:8, Heb.12:27, al. __6. μή prohibitive, in indep. sentences, __(a) with subjc. praes., 1 of person(s) pl.: Gal.5:26 6:9, 1Th.5:6, 1Jn.3:18; __(b) with imperat. praes., usually where one is bidden to desist from what has already begun (cf. M, Pr., 122ff.): Mat.7:1, Mrk.5:36, Luk.6:30, Jhn.2:16 5:45, Act.10:15, Rom.11:18, Jas.2:1, Rev.5:5, al.; __(with) forbidding that which is still future: with imperat. aor., 3 of person(s), Mat.24:18, Mrk.13:15, Luk.17:31, al.; with subjc. aor., 2 of person(s), Mat.3:9 10:26, Mrk.5:7, Luk.6:29, Jhn.3:7, Rom.10:6, al.; __(d) with optative, in wishes: 2Ti.4:16 (LXX); μὴ γένοιτο (see M, Pr., 194; Bl., §66, 1), Luk.20:16, Rom.3:3, al.; μή τις, Mrk.13:5, al. __II. As a conj., __1. after verbs of fearing, caution, etc., that, lest, perhaps (M, Pr., 192f.): with subjc. praes., Heb.12:15; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:4, Mrk.13:5, Luk.21:8, Act.13:40, Gal.5:15, al.; ὅρα μή (see M, Pr., 124, 178), elliptically, Rev.19:10 22:9; with indic, fut. (M, Pr., l.with), Col.2:8. __2. in order that not: with subjc. aor., Mrk.13:36, 2Co.8:20 12:6. __III. Interrogative, in hesitant questions (M, Pr., 170), or where a negative answer is expected: Mat.7:9, 10, Mrk.2:19, Jhn.3:4, Rom.3:3 10:18, 19, 1Co.1:13, al.; μή τις, Luk.22:35, al.; before οὐ (Rom.10:17, al. in Pl.), expecting an affirm, ans.; οὐ μή, Luk.18:7, Jhn.18:11. __IV. οὐ μή as emphatic negation (cf. M, Pr., 188, 190ff.; Bl. §64, 5), not at all, by no means: with indic, fut., Mat.16:22, Jhn.6:35, Heb.10:17, al.; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:2, Mrk.13:2, Luk.6:37, Jhn.13:8, 1Co.8:13, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 910 NT verses. KJV: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 1:8.
ελθων erchomai G2064 "to come/go" Verb-2AAP-NSM
To come or go is the meaning of this word, used in many applications, such as in Matthew 8:9 and Romans 9:9. The KJV translates it in various ways, including come, go, and enter.
Definition: ἔρχομαι, [in LXX very frequently for בּוֹא, also for הלךְ ni., אתה, etc., 34 words in all ;] __1. to come; __(a) of persons, either as arriving or returning from elsewhere: Mat.8:9, Mrk.6:31, Luk.7:8, Jhn.4:27, Rom.9:9, al.; before ἀπό, Mrk.5:35 7:1, Jhn.3:2, al.; ἐκ, Luk.5:17, Jhn.3:31, al.; εἰς, Mrk.1:29, al.; διά before εἰς, Mrk.7:31; ἐν (Cremer, 263f., but see: ἐν), Rom.15:29, 1Co.4:21; ἐπί, with accusative, Mrk.6:53 11:13, Jhn.19:33, al.; κατά, with accusative, Luk.10:33 Act.16:7; παρά, with genitive, Luk.8:49; with accusative, Mat.15:29, Mrk.9:14, al.; with dative comm., incomm. (M, Pr., 75, 245), Mat.21:5, Rev.2:5, 16; with adverbs: πόθεν, Jhn.3:8, al.; ἄνωθεν, Jhn.3:31; ὄπισθεν, Mrk.5:27; ὧδε, Mat.8:29; ἐκεῖ, Jhn.18:3; ποῦ, Heb.11:8; before ἕως, Luk.4:42; ἄχρι, Act.11:5; with purpose expressed by inf., Mrk.5:14, Luk.1:59, al.; by fut. ptcp., Mat.27:49; ἵνα, Jhn.12:9; εἰς τοῦτο, ἵνα, Act.9:21; διά, with accusative, Jhn.12:9; before verbs of action, ἔρχεται καί, ἦλθε καί, etc.: Mrk.2:18, Jhn.6:15, al.; ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε, Jhn.1:47 11:34; ἐλθών (redundant; Dalman, Words, 20 f.), Mat.2:8 8:7, Mrk.7:25, Act.16:39, al.; similarly ἐρχόμενος, Luk.15:25, al.; of coming into public view: esp. of the Messiah (ὁ ἐρχόμενος, Mat.11:3, al.; see Cremer, 264), Luk.3:16, Jhn.4:25; hence, of Jesus, Mat.11:19, Luk.7:34, Jhn.5:43, al.; of the second coming, Mat.10:23, Act.1:11, 1Co.4:5, 1Th.5:2, al.; __(b) of time: ἔρξονται ἡμέραι (present for fut.: Bl., §56, 8), Luk.23:29, Heb.8:8" (LXX) ; fut., Mat.9:15, Mrk.2:20, al.; ἔρξεται ὥρα, ὅτε, Jhn.4:21, 23. al.; ἦλθεν, ἐλήλυθε ἡ ὥρα, Jhn.13:1 16:32 17:1; ἡ ἡμέρα τ. κυρίου, 1Th.5:2; καιροί, Act.3:19; __(with) of things and events: κατακλυσμός, Luk.17:27; λιμός, Act.7:11; ἡ ὀργή, 1Th.1:10; ὁ λύχνος, Mrk.4:21 (see Swete, in l.). Metaphorical, τ. ἀγαθά, Rom.3:8; τ. τέλειον, 1Co.13:10; ἡ πίστις, Gal.3:23, 25; ἡ ἐντολή, Rom.7:9; with prepositions: ἐκ τ. θλίψεως, Rev.7:14; ἐις τ. χεῖρον, Mrk.5:26; εἰς πειρασμόν, ib. 14:38, al. __2. to go: ὀπίσω, with genitive (Heb. הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי), Mat.16:24, Mrk.8:34, Luk.9:23; σύν, Jhn.21:3; ὁδόν, Luk.2:44. (Cf. ἀν-, ἐπ-αν-, ἀπ-, δι-, εἰς, ἐπ-εἰσ-, συν-εἰσ-, ἐξ-, δι-εξ-, ἐπ-, κατ-, παρ-, ἀντι-παρ-, περι-, προ-, προσ-, συν-έρχομαι.) SYN.: πορεύομαι, χωρέω (v, Thayer, see word ἔρξομαι). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 603 NT verses. KJV: accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set See also: 1 Corinthians 2:1; Acts 22:11; Hebrews 6:7.
εξαιφνης exaiphnēs G1810 "suddenly" Adv
This adverb means suddenly or unexpectedly, like in Mark 13:36 and Luke 2:13. It describes an event happening without warning. The KJV Bible translates it as 'suddenly'.
Definition: ἐξ-αίφνης (WH, ἐξέφνης, exc. Act.22:6; see App., p. 151, and cf. M, Pr., 35), adv. (ἄφνω), [in LXX chiefly for פִּתְאוֹם ;] suddenly Mrk.13:36, Luk.2:13 9:39, Act.9:3 22:6.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: suddenly See also: Acts 9:3; Luke 2:13; Mark 13:36.
ευρη ehuriskō G2147 "to find/meet" Verb-2AAS-3S
To find or discover something, like in Matthew 7:7-8, where Jesus teaches that those who seek will find. This word is about searching and finding, whether it's a physical object or a spiritual truth.
Definition: εὑρίσκω, [in LXX chiefly for מצא, also for נשׂג hi., etc. ;] to find, with or without previous search: absol., opposite to ζητέω, Mat.7:7, 8 Luk.11:9, 10; with accusative, Mat.2:8, Mrk.1:37, Act.13:22, 2Ti.1:17, al.; pass., οὐχ εὑ., of disappearance, Heb.11:5, Rev.16:20, al.; γῆ κ. τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ἔργα εὑρεθήσεται (for conjectures as to the meaning of this reading, see Mayor, ICC, in l.), 2Pe.3:10, WH, R, mg. Metaphorical, to find, find out by inquiry, learn, discover: Luk.19:48, Act.4:21; αἰτίαν, Jhn.18:38, Act.13:28, al.; pass., Mat.1:18, Luk.17:18, Rom.7:10, 1Co.4:2, Gal.2:17, 1Pe.1:7, Rev.5:4, al.; of attaining to the knowledge of God, εὑ. θεόν, Act.17:27; pass., Rom.10:20 (LXX). Mid., to find for oneself, gain, procure, obtain: with accusative of thing(s), λύτρωσιν, Heb.9:12; act. in same sense (so cl. poets, but not in Attic prose), Mat.10:39 11:29, Luk.1:30, Act.7:46, 2Ti.1:18, al. (cf. ἀν-ευρίσκω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 167 NT verses. KJV: find, get, obtain, perceive, see See also: 1 Corinthians 4:2; Luke 12:37; 1 Peter 1:7.
υμας su G4771 "you" Pron-2AP
This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.
Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.
καθευδοντας katheudō G2518 "to sleep" Verb-PAP-APM
To sleep or fall asleep is what this word means, used in stories like Jesus sleeping in the boat in Matthew 8:24 and Mark 4:27.
Definition: καθεύδω [in LXX chiefly for שָׁכַב, Gen.28:13, Psa.88:5, al.; also for יָשֵׁן, Sng.5:2, Dan LXX TH Dan.12:2, al.; for יָשַׁב, 1Ki.19:9 ;] to sleep: Mat.8:24 9:24 13:25 25:5 26:46, 43 26:45, Mrk.4:27, 38 5:39 14:37, 40-41, Luk.8:52 22:46, 1Th.5:7. Metaphorical, __(a) of death (as Ps, Da, ll. with): 1Th.5:10 (cf. Mat.9:24, Mrk.5:39, Luk.8:52, and see Swete, Mk., l.with); __(b) of moral and spiritual insensibility: Mrk.13:36, Eph.5:14, 1Th.5:6.† SYN.: (κοιμάω.) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 20 NT verses. KJV: (be a-)sleep See also: 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Mark 14:37; Matthew 26:45.

Study Notes — Mark 13:36

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Thessalonians 5:6–7 So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
2 Romans 13:11–14 And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
3 Matthew 24:48–51 But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’ And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
4 Mark 14:40 And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping—for their eyes were heavy. And they did not know what to answer Him.
5 Luke 21:34 But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.
6 Matthew 25:5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
7 Proverbs 24:33–34 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
8 Mark 14:37 Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked. “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour?
9 Proverbs 6:9–11 How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
10 Isaiah 56:10 Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.

Mark 13:36 Summary

[Mark 13:36 is a reminder to stay spiritually alert and watchful, because we don't know when the Lord will return. This means being faithful in our service to Him and being prepared for His coming, as seen in (Luke 12:37-38). If we are not watchful, we might be caught off guard and found 'sleeping' when the Lord returns, which could have serious consequences. By staying vigilant and faithful, we can be sure that we are ready to meet the Lord whenever He comes, and we can live with hope and anticipation, as seen in (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be 'sleeping' in Mark 13:36?

In this context, 'sleeping' refers to being spiritually unprepared or unaware of the Lord's return, as seen in Matthew 25:5 where the virgins were sleeping while waiting for the bridegroom.

How can we avoid being caught sleeping when the Lord returns?

We can avoid being caught sleeping by being vigilant and watching for the Lord's return, as instructed in Mark 13:37, and by being faithful in our service to Him, as seen in Luke 12:37-38.

Is the concept of watching and being prepared for the Lord's return unique to Mark 13:36?

No, this concept is also seen in other passages such as 1 Thessalonians 5:6 and Revelation 3:3, where believers are exhorted to be watchful and prepared for the Lord's return.

What are the consequences of being found sleeping when the Lord returns?

The consequences of being found sleeping are not explicitly stated in Mark 13:36, but in Matthew 25:1-13, the virgins who were sleeping and unprepared were shut out of the wedding feast, indicating the importance of being prepared for the Lord's return.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can stay spiritually alert and watchful for the Lord's return in my daily life?
  2. How can I balance being prepared for the Lord's return with living in the present and fulfilling my responsibilities?
  3. What are some potential 'distractions' in my life that could cause me to become spiritually sleepy and unprepared for the Lord's return?
  4. How can I encourage and support my fellow believers in staying watchful and prepared for the Lord's return?

Gill's Exposition on Mark 13:36

Lest coming suddenly,.... Unthought of, and unexpected, at an unawares: he find you sleeping; inactive in the exercise of grace, and negligent in the performance of duty; unprepared for his coming, and unfit for service.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 13:36

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. Lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. See the notes at Luke 12:35-40; Luke 12:42-46.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 13:36

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Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 13:36

(36) Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.—As before we traced a kind of echo of the parable of the Talents, so here we recognise something like a fragmentary reminiscence of that of the Wise and Foolish Virgins.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Mark 13:36

Verse 36. He find you sleeping.] A porter asleep exposes the house to be robbed, and well deserves punishment. No wonder that the man is constantly suffering loss who is frequently off his guard. Our Lord shows us in this parable: 1. That himself, ascended to heaven, is the man gone from home. 2. That believers collectively are his family. 3. That his servants are those who are employed in the work of faith and labour of love. 4. That the porter represents the ministers of his Gospel, who should continually watch for the safety and welfare of the whole flock. 5. That every one has his own work - that which belongs to himself and to none other, and for the accomplishment of which he receives sufficient strength from his Lord. 6. That these servants and porters shall give an account to their Lord, how they have exercised themselves in their respective departments. 7. And that as the master of the family will certainly come to require this account at a time when men are not aware, therefore they should be always watchful and faithful. And, 8, That this is a duty incumbent on every soul of man, What I say unto you, I say unto ALL, WATCH! If, after all these warnings, the followers of God be found careless, their misery and condemnation must be great.

Cambridge Bible on Mark 13:36

36. lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping] “During the night the ‘captain of the Temple’ made his rounds. On his approach the guards had to rise and salute him in a particular manner. Any guard found asleep when on duty was beaten, or his garments were set on fire—a punishment, as we know, actually awarded.” Edersheim, p. 120.

Barnes' Notes on Mark 13:36

Find you sleeping - Inattentive to your post, neglecting your duty, and unprepared for his coming.

Whedon's Commentary on Mark 13:36

§ 118. — JESUS THE OF , AND IT FROM THE FINAL , Mark 13:1-37.(See notes on Matthew 24:1 to Matthew 25:30.)

Sermons on Mark 13:36

SermonDescription
A.W. Tozer (1 Peter - Part 11): Wherefore, Gird Up Your Minds and Be Sober by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being spiritually prepared and vigilant. He uses the analogy of a violinist who neglects to tune his instrument, resulting
David Wilkerson That Dreadful Day (Coming Economic Collapse) David Wilkerson by David Wilkerson This sermon from 2 Peter 3 discusses the impending day of the Lord, emphasizing the need for believers to be prepared and live in holiness and godliness. The message warns of comin
A.W. Tozer Personal Victory for the New Year by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher focuses on a verse written by Paul, emphasizing the importance of being watchful as Christians. He highlights that we cannot simply muddle through the
W.F. Kumuyi Watchfulness and Readiness for Christ's Return by W.F. Kumuyi This sermon emphasizes the importance of being ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ. It highlights the need for constant watchfulness, remembrance of God's word, and recommi
Zac Poonen The Last Days and the Lord's Coming : 7. Don't Get Drunk With Worldiness by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing that time is short and devoting oneself fully to the Lord. He explains that this does not mean avoiding marriag
A.W. Tozer Collection of a.w. Tozer's Prayers - Volume 5 by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher expresses concern about society's obsession with fame and the immoral influences it has on people. He prays for God to help individuals and families br
David Wilkerson The Coming of Jesus by David Wilkerson This sermon emphasizes the imminent return of Jesus Christ, urging believers to be prepared and expectant for His coming. It highlights the need for spiritual awakening, readiness,

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