Mark 13

Jesus is about to go to the cross – the King will give His life for those He came to save.  First, it’s time for a look to the future.  Leaving the temple Tuesday afternoon, a casual comment from a disciple triggers a prophetic journey into the distant future – when Jesus will finally come to reign!


Jesus’ Prophecies of Coming Tribulation, and Glory (1-27)

• Destruction of the Temple (1-2)


70 A.D.

• Deception and Persecution (5-23)


Present Day, through the Great Tribulation


• Return of the King! (24-27)


Second Coming of Christ


Jesus’ Parables for Those Who Wait (28-37)

• The Fig Tree in Leaf: The Kingdom is NEAR!


Key Word: Imminent

• The Doorkeeper: The Kingdom is SUDDEN!


Key Word: Immediate!




“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”
Jesus, Mark 13:33


For Further Study


1. Time to look to the future – something every believer should love to do! Jesus’ first prophecy to His disciples, however, was troubling: The temple would be utterly destroyed (2). When did this happen in history? Jesus accurately predicts an event a few decades later. Can you trust His predictions centuries later?


2. What were the disciples looking for in their question in v3?  To get a fuller answer, see the parallel passage in Matt.24:3.  What Jesus reveals is a gradual increase in depravity.  In verses 5-13, what elements already present in the world can you identify?


3. The last phrase of v13 is taken out of context by some to refer to “eternal salvation from hell.” What judgment is Jesus talking about here?  What is ‘temporal’ judgment?  What will believers who remain faithful in times of persecution will be saved from?  (For study, see Lk 19:11-26; Rom 14:10-13; 1 Cor 3:14-15; 9:24-27; 2 Cor 5:10; Jas 1:12; 1 Jn 2:28; 2 Jn 7-8; Rev 2:8-11.)


4. The “abomination of desolation” (v14) is unknown to many today.  Mark refers his readers to Daniel.  Read Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11.  What event is this referring to?  Does this time refer to something past, or yet future?  What clues in the text point to an answer?


5. It has been said that it is darkest just before dawn.  This is true in vv.24-27.  Jesus says that when He returns in glory, He will gather believers “from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven” (27).  What do you think He will gather them for?  See Rev 19:11-20:6!!!


6. Read Jesus’ two parables at the end of Mark 13 again (28-37).  What does Jesus warn His followers to do? What does He warn them against doing?  What generation is Jesus referring to in v30?  Could that be our generation?  Have we seen any of the things Jesus prophesied happening?  Are you watching?  Are you ready?

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