Matius 24:1-51
Konteks24:1 Now 1 as Jesus was going out of the temple courts and walking away, his disciples came to show him the temple buildings. 2 24:2 And he said to them, 3 “Do you see all these things? I tell you the truth, 4 not one stone will be left on another. 5 All will be torn down!” 6
24:3 As 7 he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things 8 happen? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 24:4 Jesus answered them, 9 “Watch out 10 that no one misleads you. 24:5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ 11 and they will mislead many. 24:6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Make sure that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is still to come. 12 24:7 For nation will rise up in arms 13 against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines 14 and earthquakes 15 in various places. 24:8 All 16 these things are the beginning of birth pains.
24:9 “Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. You will be hated by all the nations 17 because of my name. 18 24:10 Then many will be led into sin, 19 and they will betray one another and hate one another. 24:11 And many false prophets will appear and deceive 20 many, 24:12 and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold. 24:13 But the person who endures to the end will be saved. 21 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations, 22 and then the end will come.
24:15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation 23 – spoken about by Daniel the prophet – standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 24:16 then those in Judea must flee 24 to the mountains. 24:17 The one on the roof 25 must not come down 26 to take anything out of his house, 24:18 and the one in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 24:19 Woe 27 to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! 24:20 Pray 28 that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 24:21 For then there will be great suffering 29 unlike anything that has happened 30 from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen. 24:22 And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 24:23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ 31 or ‘There he is!’ do not believe him. 24:24 For false messiahs 32 and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 24:25 Remember, 33 I have told you ahead of time. 24:26 So then, if someone 34 says to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ 35 do not go out, or ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe him. 24:27 For just like the lightning 36 comes from the east and flashes to the west, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 24:28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures 37 will gather. 38
24:29 “Immediately 39 after the suffering 40 of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. 41 24:30 Then 42 the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, 43 and 44 all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They 45 will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven 46 with power and great glory. 24:31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven 47 to the other.
24:32 “Learn 48 this parable from the fig tree: Whenever its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 24:33 So also you, when you see all these things, know 49 that he is near, right at the door. 24:34 I tell you the truth, 50 this generation 51 will not pass away until all these things take place. 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 52
24:36 “But as for that day and hour no one knows it – not even the angels in heaven 53 – except the Father alone. 24:37 For just like the days of Noah 54 were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 24:38 For in those days before the flood, people 55 were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark. 24:39 And they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away. 56 It will be the same at the coming of the Son of Man. 57 24:40 Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one left. 58 24:41 There will be two women grinding grain with a mill; 59 one will be taken and one left.
24:42 “Therefore stay alert, because you do not know on what day 60 your Lord will come. 24:43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief 61 was coming, he would have been alert and would not have let his house be broken into. 24:44 Therefore you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. 62
24:45 “Who then is the faithful and wise slave, 63 whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves 64 their food at the proper time? 24:46 Blessed is that slave whom the master finds at work 65 when he comes. 24:47 I tell you the truth, 66 the master 67 will put him in charge of all his possessions. 24:48 But if 68 that evil slave should say to himself, 69 ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 24:49 and he begins to beat his fellow slaves and to eat and drink with drunkards, 24:50 then the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not foresee, 24:51 and will cut him in two, 70 and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Markus 13:1-37
Konteks13:1 Now 71 as Jesus 72 was going out of the temple courts, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look at these tremendous stones and buildings!” 73 13:2 Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left on another. 74 All will be torn down!” 75
13:3 So 76 while he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, 77 and Andrew asked him privately, 13:4 “Tell us, when will these things 78 happen? And what will be the sign that all these things are about to take place?” 13:5 Jesus began to say to them, “Watch out 79 that no one misleads you. 13:6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ 80 and they will mislead many. 13:7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. 81 13:8 For nation will rise up in arms 82 against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines. 83 These are but the beginning of birth pains.
13:9 “You must watch out for yourselves. You will be handed over 84 to councils 85 and beaten in the synagogues. 86 You will stand before governors and kings 87 because of me, as a witness to them. 13:10 First the gospel must be preached to all nations. 13:11 When they arrest you and hand you over for trial, do not worry about what to speak. But say whatever is given you at that time, 88 for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 13:12 Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against 89 parents and have them put to death. 13:13 You will be hated by everyone because of my name. 90 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 91
13:14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation 92 standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee 93 to the mountains. 13:15 The one on the roof 94 must not come down or go inside to take anything out of his house. 95 13:16 The one in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 13:17 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! 13:18 Pray that it may not be in winter. 13:19 For in those days there will be suffering 96 unlike anything that has happened 97 from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, or ever will happen. 13:20 And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved. But because of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut them 98 short. 13:21 Then 99 if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ 100 or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe him. 13:22 For false messiahs 101 and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, the elect. 13:23 Be careful! I have told you everything ahead of time.
13:24 “But in those days, after that suffering, 102 the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; 13:25 the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 103 13:26 Then everyone 104 will see the Son of Man arriving in the clouds 105 with great power and glory. 13:27 Then he will send angels and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 106
13:28 “Learn this parable from the fig tree: Whenever its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 13:29 So also you, when you see these things happening, know 107 that he is near, right at the door. 13:30 I tell you the truth, 108 this generation 109 will not pass away until all these things take place. 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 110
13:32 “But as for that day or hour no one knows it – neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son 111 – except the Father. 13:33 Watch out! Stay alert! 112 For you do not know when the time will come. 13:34 It is like a man going on a journey. He left his house and put his slaves 113 in charge, assigning 114 to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to stay alert. 13:35 Stay alert, then, because you do not know when the owner of the house will return – whether during evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or at dawn – 13:36 or else he might find you asleep when he returns suddenly. 13:37 What I say to you I say to everyone: Stay alert!”
Lukas 21:1-38
Konteks21:1 Jesus 115 looked up 116 and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box. 117 21:2 He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 118 21:3 He 119 said, “I tell you the truth, 120 this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 121 21:4 For they all offered their gifts out of their wealth. 122 But she, out of her poverty, put in everything she had to live on.” 123
21:5 Now 124 while some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned 125 with beautiful stones and offerings, 126 Jesus 127 said, 21:6 “As for these things that you are gazing at, the days will come when not one stone will be left on another. 128 All will be torn down!” 129 21:7 So 130 they asked him, 131 “Teacher, when will these things 132 happen? And what will be the sign that 133 these things are about to take place?” 21:8 He 134 said, “Watch out 135 that you are not misled. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ 136 and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them! 21:9 And when you hear of wars and rebellions, 137 do not be afraid. 138 For these things must happen first, but the end will not come at once.” 139
21:10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise up in arms 140 against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, and famines 141 and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights 142 and great signs 143 from heaven. 21:12 But before all this, 144 they will seize 145 you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues 146 and prisons. You 147 will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 21:13 This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses. 148 21:14 Therefore be resolved 149 not to rehearse 150 ahead of time how to make your defense. 21:15 For I will give you the words 151 along with the wisdom 152 that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 21:16 You will be betrayed even by parents, 153 brothers, relatives, 154 and friends, and they will have some of you put to death. 21:17 You will be hated by everyone because of my name. 155 21:18 Yet 156 not a hair of your head will perish. 157 21:19 By your endurance 158 you will gain 159 your lives. 160
21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem 161 surrounded 162 by armies, then know that its 163 desolation 164 has come near. 21:21 Then those who are in Judea must flee 165 to the mountains. Those 166 who are inside the city must depart. Those 167 who are out in the country must not enter it, 21:22 because these are days of vengeance, 168 to fulfill 169 all that is written. 21:23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! For there will be great distress 170 on the earth and wrath against this people. 21:24 They 171 will fall by the edge 172 of the sword and be led away as captives 173 among all nations. Jerusalem 174 will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 175
21:25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, 176 and on the earth nations will be in distress, 177 anxious 178 over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves. 21:26 People will be fainting from fear 179 and from the expectation of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 180 21:27 Then 181 they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud 182 with power and great glory. 21:28 But when these things 183 begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption 184 is drawing near.”
21:29 Then 185 he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the other trees. 186 21:30 When they sprout leaves, you see 187 for yourselves and know that summer is now near. 21:31 So also you, when you see these things happening, know 188 that the kingdom of God 189 is near. 21:32 I tell you the truth, 190 this generation 191 will not pass away until all these things take place. 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 192
21:34 “But be on your guard 193 so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day close down upon you suddenly like a trap. 194 21:35 For 195 it will overtake 196 all who live on the face of the whole earth. 197 21:36 But stay alert at all times, 198 praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must 199 happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
21:37 So 200 every day Jesus 201 was teaching in the temple courts, 202 but at night he went and stayed 203 on the Mount of Olives. 204 21:38 And all the people 205 came to him early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts. 206
[24:1] 1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
[24:1] 2 sn The Jerusalem temple was widely admired around the world. See Josephus, Ant. 15.11 [15.380-425]; J. W. 5.5 [5.184-227] and Tacitus, History 5.8, who called it “immensely opulent.” Josephus compared it to a beautiful snowcapped mountain.
[24:2] 3 tn Grk “answering, he said to them.” The participle ἀποκριθείς (ajpokriqei") is redundant in English and has not been translated.
[24:2] 4 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
[24:2] 5 sn With the statement not one stone will be left on another Jesus predicted the total destruction of the temple, something that did occur in
[24:2] 6 tn Grk “not one stone will be left here on another which will not be thrown down.”
[24:3] 7 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[24:3] 8 sn Because the phrase these things is plural, more than the temple’s destruction is in view. The question may presuppose that such a catastrophe signals the end.
[24:4] 9 tn Grk “answering, Jesus said to them.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.
[24:4] 10 tn Or “Be on guard.”
[24:5] 11 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
[24:5] sn See the note on Christ in 1:16.
[24:6] 12 tn Grk “it is not yet the end.”
[24:7] 13 tn For the translation “rise up in arms” see L&N 55.2.
[24:7] 14 sn See Isa 5:13-14; 13:6-16; Hag 2:6-7; Zech 14:4.
[24:7] 15 tc Most witnesses (C Θ 0102 Ë1,13 Ï) have “and plagues” (καὶ λοιμοί, kai loimoi) between “famines” (λιμοί, limoi) and “earthquakes” (σεισμοί, seismoi), while others have “plagues and famines and earthquakes” (L W 33 pc lat). The similarities between λιμοί and λοιμοί could explain how καὶ λοιμοί might have accidentally dropped out, but since the Lukan parallel has both terms (and W lat have the order λοιμοὶ καὶ λιμοί there too, as they do in Matthew), it seems more likely that scribes added the phrase here. The shorter reading does not enjoy overwhelming support ([א] B D 892 pc, as well as versional witnesses), but it is nevertheless significant; coupled with the internal evidence it should be given preference.
[24:8] 16 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[24:9] 17 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “nations” or “Gentiles”).
[24:9] 18 sn See Matt 5:10-12; 1 Cor 1:25-31.
[24:10] 19 tn Or “many will fall away.” This could also refer to apostasy.
[24:11] 20 tn Or “and lead many astray.”
[24:13] 21 sn But the person who endures to the end will be saved. Jesus was not claiming here that salvation is by works. He was simply arguing that genuine faith evidences itself in persistence through even the worst of trials.
[24:14] 22 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “nations” or “Gentiles”).
[24:15] 23 sn The reference to the abomination of desolation is an allusion to Dan 9:27. Though some have seen the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy in the actions of Antiochus IV (or a representative of his) in 167
[24:16] 24 sn Fleeing to the mountains is a key OT image: Gen 19:17; Judg 6:2; Isa 15:5; Jer 16:16; Zech 14:5.
[24:17] 25 sn On the roof. Most of the roofs in the NT were flat roofs made of pounded dirt, sometimes mixed with lime or stones, supported by heavy wooden beams. They generally had an easy means of access, either a sturdy wooden ladder or stone stairway, sometimes on the outside of the house.
[24:17] 26 sn The swiftness and devastation of the judgment will require a swift escape. There will be no time to come down from the roof and pick up anything from inside one’s home.
[24:19] 27 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[24:20] 28 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[24:21] 29 tn Traditionally, “great tribulation.”
[24:21] 30 sn Suffering unlike anything that has happened. Some refer this event to the destruction of Jerusalem in
[24:23] 31 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
[24:23] sn See the note on Christ in 1:16.
[24:24] 32 tn Or “false christs”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
[24:25] 33 tn Or “Pay attention!” Grk “Behold.”
[24:26] 34 tn Grk “they say.” The third person plural is used here as an indefinite and translated “someone” (ExSyn 402).
[24:26] 35 tn Or “in the desert.”
[24:27] 36 sn The Son of Man’s coming in power will be sudden and obvious like lightning. No one will need to point it out.
[24:28] 37 tn The same Greek term can refer to “eagles” or “vultures” (L&N 4.42; BDAG 22 s.v. ἀετός), but in this context it must mean vultures because the gruesome image is one of dead bodies being consumed by scavengers.
[24:28] sn Jesus’ answer is that when the judgment comes, the scenes of death will be obvious and so will the location of the judgment. See also Luke 17:37.
[24:28] 38 tn Grk “will be gathered.” The passive construction has been translated as an active one in English.
[24:29] 39 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[24:29] 40 tn Traditionally, “tribulation.”
[24:29] 41 sn An allusion to Isa 13:10, 34:4 (LXX); Joel 2:10. The heavens were seen as the abode of heavenly forces, so their shaking indicates distress in the spiritual realm. Although some take the powers as a reference to bodies in the heavens (like stars and planets, “the heavenly bodies,” NIV) this is not as likely.
[24:30] 42 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
[24:30] 43 tn Or “in the sky”; the Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context.
[24:30] 44 tn Here τότε (tote, “then”) has not been translated to avoid redundancy in English.
[24:30] 45 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
[24:30] 46 sn An allusion to Dan 7:13. Here is Jesus returning with full authority to judge.
[24:31] 47 tn Or “of the sky”; the Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context.
[24:32] 48 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[24:33] 49 tn The verb γινώσκετε (ginwskete, “know”) can be parsed as either present indicative or present imperative. In this context the imperative fits better, since the movement is from analogy (trees and seasons) to the future (the signs of the coming of the kingdom) and since the emphasis is on preparation for this event.
[24:34] 50 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
[24:34] 51 sn This is one of the hardest verses in the gospels to interpret. Various views exist for what generation means. (1) Some take it as meaning “race” and thus as an assurance that the Jewish race (nation) will not pass away. But it is very questionable that the Greek term γενεά (genea) can have this meaning. Two other options are possible. (2) Generation might mean “this type of generation” and refer to the generation of wicked humanity. Then the point is that humanity will not perish, because God will redeem it. Or (3) generation may refer to “the generation that sees the signs of the end” (v. 30), who will also see the end itself. In other words, once the movement to the return of Christ starts, all the events connected with it happen very quickly, in rapid succession.
[24:35] 52 sn The words that Jesus predicts here will never pass away. They are more stable and lasting than creation itself. For this kind of image, see Isa 40:8; 55:10-11.
[24:36] 53 tc ‡ Some important witnesses, including early Alexandrian and Western
[24:37] 54 sn Like the days of Noah, the time of the flood in Gen 6:5-8:22, the judgment will come as a surprise as people live their day to day lives.
[24:38] 55 tn Grk “they,” but in an indefinite sense, “people.”
[24:39] 56 sn Like the flood that came and took them all away, the coming judgment associated with the Son of Man will condemn many.
[24:39] 57 tn Grk “So also will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
[24:40] 58 sn There is debate among commentators and scholars over the phrase one will be taken and one left about whether one is taken for judgment or for salvation. If the imagery is patterned after the rescue of Noah from the flood, as some suggest, the ones taken are the saved (as Noah was) andthose left behind are judged. The imagery, however, is not directly tied to theidentification of the two groups. Its primary purposein context is topicture the sudden, surprisingseparation of the righteous and the judged (i.e., condemned) at the return of the Son of Man.
[24:41] 59 tn According to L&N 46.16, this refers to a hand mill normally operated by two women.
[24:42] 60 tc Most later
[24:43] 61 sn On Jesus pictured as a returning thief, see 1 Thess 5:2, 4; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 3:3; 16:15.
[24:44] 62 sn Jesus made clear that his coming could not be timed, and suggested it would take some time – so long, in fact, that some will not be looking for him any longer (at an hour when you do not expect him).
[24:45] 63 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.
[24:45] 64 tn Grk “give them.”
[24:46] 65 tn That is, doing his job, doing what he is supposed to be doing.
[24:47] 66 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
[24:47] 67 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the master) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[24:48] 68 tn In the Greek text this is a third class condition that for all practical purposes is a hypothetical condition (note the translation of the following verb “should say”).
[24:48] 69 tn Grk “should say in his heart.”
[24:51] 70 tn The verb διχοτομέω (dicotomew) means to cut an object into two parts (L&N 19.19). This is an extremely severe punishment compared to the other two later punishments. To translate it simply as “punish” is too mild. If taken literally this servant is dismembered, although it is possible to view the stated punishment as hyperbole (L&N 38.12).
[13:1] 71 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
[13:1] 72 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[13:1] 73 sn The Jerusalem temple was widely admired around the world. See Josephus, Ant. 15.11 [15.380-425]; J. W. 5.5 [5.184-227] and Tacitus, History 5.8, who called it “immensely opulent.” Josephus compared it to a beautiful snowcapped mountain.
[13:2] 74 sn With the statement not one stone will be left on another Jesus predicted the total destruction of the temple, something that did occur in
[13:2] 75 tn Grk “not one stone will be left here on another which will not be thrown down.”
[13:3] 76 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of previous action(s) in the narrative.
[13:3] 77 tn Grk “and James and John,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
[13:4] 78 sn Both references to these things are plural, so more than the temple’s destruction is in view. The question may presuppose that such a catastrophe signals the end.
[13:5] 79 tn Or “Be on guard.”
[13:6] 80 tn That is, “I am the Messiah.”
[13:7] 81 tn Grk “it is not yet the end.”
[13:8] 82 tn For the translation “rise up in arms” see L&N 55.2.
[13:8] 83 sn See Isa 5:13-14; 13:6-16; Hag 2:6-7; Zech 14:4.
[13:9] 84 tn Grk “They will hand you over.” “They” is an indefinite plural, referring to people in general. The parallel in Matt 10:17 makes this explicit.
[13:9] 85 sn Councils in this context refers to local judicial bodies attached to the Jewish synagogue. This group would be responsible for meting out justice and discipline within the Jewish community.
[13:9] 86 sn See the note on synagogue in 1:21.
[13:9] 87 sn These statements look at persecution both from a Jewish context as the mention of councils and synagogues suggests, and from a Gentile one as the reference to governors and kings suggests. Some fulfillment of Jewish persecution can be seen in Acts.
[13:11] 88 tn Grk “in that hour.”
[13:12] 89 tn Or “will rebel against.”
[13:13] 90 sn See 1 Cor 1:25-31.
[13:13] 91 sn But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Jesus was not claiming here that salvation is by works, because he had already taught that it is by grace (cf. 10:15). He was simply arguing that genuine faith evidences itself in persistence through even the worst of trials.
[13:14] 92 sn The reference to the abomination of desolation is an allusion to Dan 9:27. Though some have seen the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy in the actions of Antiochus IV (or a representative of his) in 167
[13:14] 93 sn Fleeing to the mountains is a key OT image: Gen 19:17; Judg 6:2; Isa 15:5; Jer 16:16; Zech 14:5.
[13:15] 94 sn Most of the roofs in the NT were flat roofs made of pounded dirt, sometimes mixed with lime or stones, supported by heavy wooden beams. They generally had an easy means of access, either a sturdy wooden ladder or stone stairway, sometimes on the outside of the house.
[13:15] 95 sn The nature of the judgment coming upon them will be so quick and devastating that one will not have time to come down or go inside to take anything out of his house. It is best just to escape as quickly as possible.
[13:19] 96 tn Traditionally, “tribulation.”
[13:19] 97 sn Suffering unlike anything that has happened. Some refer this event to the destruction of Jerusalem in
[13:21] 99 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
[13:21] 100 tn Or “the Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
[13:21] sn See the note on Christ in 8:29.
[13:22] 101 tn Or “false christs”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
[13:24] 102 tn Traditionally, “tribulation.”
[13:25] 103 sn An allusion to Isa 13:10, 34:4 (LXX); Joel 2:10. The heavens were seen as the abode of heavenly forces, so their shaking indicates distress in the spiritual realm. Although some take the powers as a reference to bodies in the heavens (like stars and planets, “the heavenly bodies,” NIV) this is not as likely.
[13:26] 105 sn An allusion to Dan 7:13. Here is Jesus returning with full judging authority.
[13:27] 106 tn Or “of the sky”; the Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context.
[13:29] 107 tn The verb γινώσκετε (ginwskete, “know”) can be parsed as either present indicative or present imperative. In this context the imperative fits better, since the movement is from analogy (trees and seasons) to the future (the signs of the coming of the kingdom) and since the emphasis is on preparation for this event.
[13:30] 108 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
[13:30] 109 sn This is one of the hardest verses in the gospels to interpret. Various views exist for what generation means. (1) Some take it as meaning “race” and thus as an assurance that the Jewish race (nation) will not pass away. But it is very questionable that the Greek term γενεά (genea) can have this meaning. Two other options are possible. (2) Generation might mean “this type of generation” and refer to the generation of wicked humanity. Then the point is that humanity will not perish, because God will redeem it. Or (3) generation may refer to “the generation that sees the signs of the end” (v. 26), who will also see the end itself. In other words, once the movement to the return of Christ starts, all the events connected with it happen very quickly, in rapid succession.
[13:31] 110 sn The words that Jesus predicts here will never pass away. They are more stable and lasting than creation itself! For this kind of image, see Isa 40:8; 55:10-11.
[13:32] 111 sn The phrase nor the Son has caused a great deal of theological debate because on the surface it appears to conflict with the concept of Jesus’ deity. The straightforward meaning of the text is that the Son does not know the time of his return. If Jesus were divine, though, wouldn’t he know this information? There are other passages which similarly indicate that Jesus did not know certain things. For example, Luke 2:52 indicates that Jesus grew in wisdom; this has to mean that Jesus did not know everything all the time but learned as he grew. So Mark 13:32 is not alone in implying that Jesus did not know certain things. The best option for understanding Mark 13:32 and similar passages is to hold the two concepts in tension: The Son in his earthly life and ministry had limited knowledge of certain things, yet he was still deity.
[13:33] 112 tc The vast majority of witnesses (א A C L W Θ Ψ Ë1,13 Ï lat sy co) have καὶ προσεύχεσθε after ἀγρυπνεῖτε (agrupneite kai proseucesqe, “stay alert and pray”). This may be a motivated reading, influenced by the similar command in Mark 14:38 where προσεύχεσθε is solidly attested, and more generally from the parallel in Luke 21:36 (though δέομαι [deomai, “ask”] is used there). As B. M. Metzger notes, it is a predictable variant that scribes would have been likely to produce independently of each other (TCGNT 95). The words are not found in B D 2427 a c {d} k. Although the external evidence for the shorter reading is slender, it probably better accounts for the longer reading than vice versa.
[13:34] 113 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 10:44.
[21:1] 115 tn Grk “He”; the referent has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[21:1] 116 tn Grk “looking up, he saw.” The participle ἀναβλέψας (anableya") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[21:1] 117 tn On the term γαζοφυλάκιον (gazofulakion), often translated “treasury,” see BDAG 186 s.v., which states, “For Mk 12:41, 43; Lk 21:1 the mng. contribution box or receptacle is attractive. Acc. to Mishnah, Shekalim 6, 5 there were in the temple 13 such receptacles in the form of trumpets. But even in these passages the general sense of ‘treasury’ is prob., for the contributions would go [into] the treasury via the receptacles.” Based upon the extra-biblical evidence (see sn following), however, the translation opts to refer to the actual receptacles and not the treasury itself.
[21:1] sn The offering box probably refers to the receptacles in the temple forecourt by the Court of Women used to collect freewill offerings. These are mentioned by Josephus, J. W. 5.5.2 (5.200), 6.5.2 (6.282); Ant. 19.6.1 (19.294); and in 1 Macc 14:49 and 2 Macc 3:6, 24, 28, 40 (see also Mark 12:41; John 8:20).
[21:2] 118 sn These two small copper coins were lepta (sing. “lepton”), the smallest and least valuable coins in circulation in Palestine, worth one-half of a quadrans or 1/128 of a denarius, or about six minutes of an average daily wage. This was next to nothing in value.
[21:3] 119 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
[21:3] 120 tn Grk “Truly, I say to you.”
[21:3] 121 sn Has put in more than all of them. With God, giving is weighed evaluatively, not counted. The widow was praised because she gave sincerely and at some considerable cost to herself.
[21:4] 122 tn Grk “out of what abounded to them.”
[21:4] 123 tn Or “put in her entire livelihood.”
[21:5] 124 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
[21:5] 125 sn The Jerusalem temple was widely admired around the world. See Josephus, Ant. 15.11 (15.380-425); J. W. 5.5 (5.184-227) and Tacitus, History 5.8, who called it “immensely opulent.” Josephus compared it to a beautiful snowcapped mountain.
[21:5] 126 tn For the translation of ἀνάθημα (anaqhma) as “offering” see L&N 53.18.
[21:5] 127 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[21:6] 128 sn With the statement days will come when not one stone will be left on another Jesus predicted the total destruction of the temple, something that did occur in
[21:6] 129 tn Grk “the days will come when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down.”
[21:7] 130 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ comments about the temple’s future destruction.
[21:7] 131 tn Grk “asked him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in English and has not been translated.
[21:7] 132 sn Both references to these things are plural, so more than the temple’s destruction is in view. The question may presuppose that such a catastrophe signals the end.
[21:8] 134 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[21:8] 135 tn Or “Be on guard.”
[21:8] 136 tn That is, “I am the Messiah.”
[21:9] 137 tn Social and political chaos also precedes the end. This term refers to revolutions (L&N 39.34).
[21:9] 138 tn This is not the usual term for fear, but refers to a deep sense of terror and emotional distress (Luke 24:37; BDAG 895 s.v. πτοέω).
[21:9] 139 sn The end will not come at once. This remark about timing not only indicates that there will be events before the end, but that some time will also pass before it comes.
[21:10] 140 tn For the translation “rise up in arms” see L&N 55.2.
[21:11] 141 sn See Isa 5:13-14; 13:6-16; Hag 2:6-7; Zech 14:4.
[21:11] 142 tn This term, φόβητρον (fobhtron), occurs only here in the NT. It could refer to an object, event, or condition that causes fear, but in the context it is linked with great signs from heaven, so the translation “sights” was preferred.
[21:11] 143 sn See Jer 4:13-22; 14:12; 21:6-7.
[21:12] 144 sn But before all this. Another note of timing is present, this one especially important in understanding the sequence in the discourse. Before the things noted in vv. 8-11 are the events of vv. 12-19.
[21:12] 145 tn Grk “will lay their hands on you.”
[21:12] 146 sn Some of the persecution is of Jewish origin (the synagogues). Some fulfillment of this can be seen in Acts. See the note on synagogues in 4:15.
[21:12] 147 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
[21:13] 148 tn Grk “This will turn out to you for [a] testimony.”
[21:14] 149 tn Grk “determine in your hearts.”
[21:14] 150 tn This term could refer to rehearsing a speech or a dance. On its syntax, see BDF §392.2.
[21:15] 151 tn Grk “a mouth.” It is a metonymy and refers to the reply the Lord will give to them.
[21:15] 152 tn Grk “and wisdom.”
[21:16] 153 sn To confess Christ might well mean rejection by one’s own family, even by parents.
[21:16] 154 tn Grk “and brothers and relatives,” but καί (kai) has not been translated twice here since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
[21:17] 155 sn See Luke 6:22, 27; 1 Cor 1:25-31.
[21:18] 156 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “yet” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
[21:18] 157 sn Given v. 16, the expression not a hair of your head will perish must be taken figuratively and refer to living ultimately in the presence of God.
[21:19] 158 sn By your endurance is a call to remain faithful, because trusting in Jesus is the means to life.
[21:19] 159 tc Some important Greek witnesses plus the majority of
[21:19] 160 tn Grk “your souls,” but ψυχή (yuch) is frequently used of one’s physical life. In light of v. 16 that does not seem to be the case here. The entire phrase could be taken as an idiom meaning “you will save yourselves” (L&N 21.20), or (as in v. 18) this could refer to living ultimately in the presence of God.
[21:20] 161 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[21:20] 162 sn See Luke 19:41-44. This passage refers to the events associated with the fall of Jerusalem, when the city is surrounded by armies.
[21:20] 163 tn Grk “her,” referring to the city of Jerusalem (the name “Jerusalem” in Greek is a feminine noun).
[21:20] 164 sn The phrase its desolation is a reference to the fall of the city, which is the only antecedent present in Luke’s account. The parallels to this in Matt 24:15 and Mark 13:14 refer to the temple’s desolation, though Matthew’s allusion is clearer. They focus on the parallel events of the end, not on the short term realization in
[21:21] 165 sn Fleeing to the mountains is a key OT image: Gen 19:17; Judg 6:2; Isa 15:5; Jer 16:16; Zech 14:5.
[21:21] 166 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
[21:21] 167 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
[21:22] 168 tn Or “of punishment.” This is a time of judgment.
[21:22] 169 tn The passive construction with the infinitive πλησθῆναι (plhsqhnai) has been translated as an active construction for simplicity, in keeping with contemporary English style.
[21:23] 170 sn Great distress means that this is a period of great judgment.
[21:24] 171 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
[21:24] 172 tn Grk “by the mouth of the sword” (an idiom for the edge of a sword).
[21:24] 173 sn Here is the predicted judgment against the nation until the time of Gentile rule has passed: Its people will be led away as captives.
[21:24] 174 tn Grk “And Jerusalem.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
[21:24] 175 sn Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled implies a time when Israel again has a central role in God’s plan.
[21:25] 176 sn Signs in the sun and moon and stars are cosmic signs that turn our attention to the end and the Son of Man’s return for the righteous. OT imagery is present: See Isa 13:9-10; 24:18-20; 34:4; Ezek 32:7-8; Joel 2:1, 30-31; 3:15.
[21:25] 177 tn Grk “distress of nations.”
[21:25] 178 tn Or “in consternation” (L&N 32.9).
[21:26] 179 tn According to L&N 23.184 this could be mainly a psychological experience rather than actual loss of consciousness. It could also refer to complete discouragement because of fear, leading people to give up hope (L&N 25.293).
[21:26] 180 sn An allusion to Isa 34:4. The heavens were seen as the abode of heavenly forces, so their shaking indicates distress in the spiritual realm. Although some take the powers as a reference to bodies in the heavens (like stars and planets, “the heavenly bodies,” NIV) this is not as likely.
[21:27] 181 tn Grk “And then” (καὶ τότε, kai tote). Here καί has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
[21:27] 182 sn An allusion to Dan 7:13. Here is Jesus returning with full judging authority.
[21:28] 183 sn These things are all the events of vv. 8-27. Disciples represent the righteous here. The events surrounding the fall of the nation are a down payment on a fuller judgment to come on all humanity. The presence of one guarantees the other.
[21:28] 184 sn With Jesus’ return comes the manifestation of judgment and final salvation (redemption).
[21:29] 185 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
[21:29] 186 tn Grk “all the trees.”
[21:30] 187 tn Grk “seeing for yourselves, you know.” The participle βλέποντες (bleponte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[21:31] 188 tn The verb γινώσκετε (ginwskete, “know”) can be parsed as either present indicative or present imperative. In this context the imperative fits better, since the movement is from analogy (trees and seasons) to the future (the signs of the coming of the kingdom) and since the emphasis is on preparation for this event.
[21:31] 189 sn The kingdom of God refers here to the kingdom in all its power. See Luke 17:20-37.
[21:32] 190 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
[21:32] 191 sn This is one of the hardest verses in the gospels to interpret. Various views exist for what generation means. (1) Some take it as meaning “race” and thus as an assurance that the Jewish race (nation) will not pass away. But it is very questionable that the Greek term γενεά (genea) can have this meaning. Two other options are possible. (2) Generation might mean “this type of generation” and refer to the generation of wicked humanity. Then the point is that humanity will not perish, because God will redeem it. Or (3) generation may refer to “the generation that sees the signs of the end” (vv. 25-26), who will also see the end itself. In other words, once the movement to the return of Christ starts, all the events connected with it happen very quickly, in rapid succession.
[21:33] 192 sn The words that Jesus predicts here will never pass away. They are more stable and lasting than creation itself. For this kind of image, see Isa 40:8; 55:10-11.
[21:34] 193 tn Grk “watch out for yourselves.”
[21:34] sn Disciples are to watch out. If they are too absorbed into everyday life, they will stop watching and living faithfully.
[21:34] 194 sn Or like a thief, see Luke 12:39-40. The metaphor of a trap is a vivid one. Most modern English translations traditionally place the words “like a trap” at the end of v. 34, completing the metaphor. In the Greek text (and in the NRSV and REB) the words “like a trap” are placed at the beginning of v. 35. This does not affect the meaning.
[21:35] 195 tn There is debate in the textual tradition about the position of γάρ (gar) and whether v. 35 looks back to v. 34 or is independent. The textual evidence does slightly favor placing γάρ after the verb and thus linking it back to v. 34. The other reading looks like Isa 24:17. However, the construction is harsh and the translation prefers for stylistic reasons to start a new English sentence here.
[21:35] 196 tn Or “come upon.”
[21:35] 197 sn This judgment involves everyone: all who live on the face of the whole earth. No one will escape this evaluation.
[21:36] 198 sn The call to be alert at all times is a call to remain faithful in looking for the Lord’s return.
[21:36] 199 tn For the translation of μέλλω (mellw) as “must,” see L&N 71.36.
[21:37] 200 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” since vv. 37-38 serve as something of a summary or transition from the discourse preceding to the passion narrative that follows.
[21:37] 201 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[21:37] 202 tn Grk “in the temple.”
[21:37] 203 tn Grk “and spent the night,” but this is redundant because of the previous use of the word “night.”
[21:37] 204 tn Grk “at the mountain called ‘of Olives.’”
[21:37] sn See the note on the phrase Mount of Olives in 19:29.
[21:38] 205 sn Jesus’ teaching was still quite popular with all the people at this point despite the leaders’ opposition.
[21:38] 206 tc Some
[21:38] tn Grk “in the temple.”
