Mark 13

Mark 13:1

AS he went out of the temple] Matthew 24:1.

see what manner of stones] How beautifull, Luke 21:5. and large, v. 2. of this chapter. Josephus writes, that they were white and hard stones, some five, some eight cubits long, about eight deep, and about twelve broad.

Mark 13:2

Seest thou these great buildings?] Thou thinkest they will last ever, because of their greatnesse; but thou art deceived, they shall be thrown down.

there shall not be left one stone upon another] The destruction of the temple, citie and whole nation is foretold, and the troubles of the church: but yet there are annexed many comforts: and last of all, the end of the world is described.

thrown down] Gr. loosed down: That is, loosed from the other, and thrown down, chap. 15. 29, 32.

Mark 13:4

Tell us] Matthew 24:3.

Mark 13:6

saying, I am Christ] Or, I am he, whom ye look for, Matthew 11:3.

Mark 13:8

these are the beginnings] Ye shall have greater sorrows afterwards, as a woman with childe begins her travel with lesser pains, but feels greater after.

sorrows] The word in the original importeth, the pains of a woman in travel, 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

Mark 13:9

take heed to your selves] Gr. look to your selves, 2 Joh. v. 8.

for a testimonie against them] The hearing of you preaching, shall be a most evident witnesse against them, so that they shall not be able to pretend ignorance.

Mark 13:10

the gospel must first be published] Before ye be thus persecuted.

among all nations] To the Gentiles, as well as to the Jews: for it was not preached, to many nations, long after these troubles.

Mark 13:11

But when they shall lead you] Matthew 10:19. To the magistrates.

and deliver you up] To be afflicted.

for it is not ye that speak, but the holy Ghost] Ye are not the principall speakers; for Gods Spirit will guide your tongues. A speciall promise to the apostles.

Mark 13:12

the brother shall betray the brother to death] Perfidiosly discover and bring them before rulers, that they may be slain.

Mark 13:13

ye shall be hated of all men] Of most men with whom ye shall converse, Phil. 2. 21. Or, all sorts of men.

for my Names sake] For professing me to be the Saviour of the world.

he that shall endure unto the end] Persecutions and afflictions for professing the Gospel.

Mark 13:14

But when] Matthew 24:15.

standing where it ought not] See Notes on Matthew 24:15.

Mark 13:19

For in those days shall be affliction] Gr. For those days shall see affliction. This is a kinde of speech which the Hebrews use, and it hath a great force in it; for it gives to understand, that, in all that time, one misery shall so follow upon another, as if the time it self were very misery it self. So the prophet Am. 5. 23. saith, that the day of the Lord shall be darknesse.

from the beginning of the creation] Of the world created, as chap. 10. 6.

Mark 13:21

And then] Matthew 24:23.

Mark 13:22

shew signes] Gr. give signes.

Mark 13:24

But in those days] Matthew 24:29.

Mark 13:27

his angels] Gr. his own angels.

and shall gather together] By the ministery of his angels, Matthew 24:31.

his elect] Gr. his own elect.

to the uttermost part of heaven] His elect both in heaven and earth: for all of them shall attend Christ at the day of Judgement, Jude v. 14.

Mark 13:28

When her branch is yet tender] See notes on Matthew 24:32. Or, now tender: or, already tender: For it is not so all the winter. See chap. 6. 35. and 8. 2. and 15. 42, 44.

Mark 13:29

know that it is nigh] The kingdom of God, Luke 21:31.

Mark 13:30

till all these things be done] Begin to be accomplished: for the destruction of Jerusalem came while some of this age were alive.

Mark 13:32

But of that day] Mentioned, v. 26.

hour] Or, season.

no not the angels] Much lesse men.

neither the Son] As man, he knew not all things at once, but by degrees, Luke 2:52. And it is likely he had not this secret revealed to him, till after his ascension, when he had laid down the form of a servant.

but the Father] The later day is not curiously to be searched for, which the Father alone knoweth: but let us rather take heed, that it come not upon us unaware.

Mark 13:33

Take ye heed] Matthew 24:42.

the time] Gr. the season.

Mark 13:34

and gave authority to his servants] The charge of his domesticall affairs.

Mark 13:37

what I say unto you] Tell the rest of my disciples, and all others, for their learning and comfort, what I have told you four, v. 3.