Jesus Speaks About the End
Keep watch
This chapter talks about wars, earthquakes, and people being hurt for following Jesus.
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
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What does it say?
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The whole passage, in shortThe main points of the whole passage, in a few sentences.
As Jesus left the temple, he said not one of its stones would be left standing. On the Mount of Olives, he told four disciples not to be fooled or alarmed by wars, earthquakes, and false christs, and warned that his followers would be treated badly. He said the Son of Man will come in the clouds with great power, that no one knows the day or hour, and that his words will never pass away, so keep watch.
Where it is in the Bible: Mark 13
Before You Read
Where we are. It is a few days before Jesus dies. He has been teaching in the temple in Jerusalem. As he leaves, a disciple points out how beautiful the temple buildings are (13:1).
Where he says it. Jesus sits on the Mount of Olives, a hill facing the temple. Four disciples ask him questions in private: Peter, James, John, and Andrew (13:3).
What this chapter is. Jesus talks about two things that are hard to separate: the destruction of the temple, which happened about forty years later, and the end of the world, when he will come again. Many readers call this the Olivet Discourse, the talk on the Mount of Olives.
A note before reading. This chapter talks about wars, earthquakes, and people being hurt for following Jesus. Its main message is not "be scared." It is "don't be alarmed," "keep watch," and "my words will never pass away."
Map of the Passage
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Not One Stone | 13:1-4 | Jesus says the temple will be torn down |
| 2. Don't Be Alarmed | 13:5-8 | Wars and earthquakes are not the end yet |
| 3. Stand Firm | 13:9-13 | Jesus's followers will be treated badly |
| 4. Run to the Mountains | 13:14-23 | A time of great trouble is coming |
| 5. The Son of Man Comes | 13:24-27 | Jesus will come in glory |
| 6. The Fig Tree | 13:28-31 | His words will never pass away |
| 7. Keep Watch | 13:32-37 | No one knows the day or the hour |
Section by Section
Section 1 of 7Not One Stone
As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said, "Teacher, look at the magnificent stones and buildings!" (13:1).
Jesus answered, "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down" (13:2).
Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, facing the temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately: When will this happen? What will the sign be?
Section 2 of 7Don't Be Alarmed
"See to it that no one deceives you" (13:5). To deceive means to trick someone into believing something false.
Many people will come and claim to be him. They will fool many.
"When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come" (13:7).
Nations will fight. There will be earthquakes and famines. A famine is a time when there is not enough food.
"These are the beginning of birth pains" (13:8). This is a comparison. Birth pains hurt, but they lead to new life.
Section 3 of 7Stand Firm
Jesus warned his disciples that they would be arrested and beaten. They would stand before rulers and kings because of him.
"And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations" (13:10).
When they are arrested, they should not worry about what to say. The Holy Spirit will give them the words.
Even families will turn against each other. People will hate them because of Jesus's name.
"But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved" (13:13). To persevere means to keep going and not give up.
Section 4 of 7Run to the Mountains
Jesus spoke of "the abomination of desolation" (13:14). An abomination is something horrible to God. Desolation means ruin. When they see it, people in Judea should run to the mountains right away.
Don't go back into the house for anything. Don't go back for a coat.
Those days will be terribly hard, especially for mothers with babies. Pray it doesn't happen in winter.
It will be a time of great trouble, like none before. But God will cut those days short for the sake of his people.
If anyone says, "Look, here is the Christ!" don't believe it. False christs and false prophets will come.
"So be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance" (13:23).
Section 5 of 7The Son of Man Comes
After that trouble, the sun will be darkened. The moon won't shine. The stars will fall.
"At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory" (13:26). "Son of Man" is a name Jesus used for himself.
He will send his angels to gather his people from every corner of the earth.
Section 6 of 7The Fig Tree
Jesus gave them a picture. When a fig tree grows tender branches and leaves, you know summer is near.
In the same way, when they see these things happen, they will know he is near, "right at the door" (13:29).
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away" (13:31).
Section 7 of 7Keep Watch
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (13:32).
"Be on your guard and stay alert!" (13:33).
It is like a man who goes on a trip. He gives each servant a job and tells the doorkeeper to keep watch.
The servants don't know when he will come back: evening, midnight, rooster-crow, or morning. So they stay ready.
"And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!" (13:37).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Not one stone here will be left on another" (13:2) | The great temple would be destroyed. |
| "Do not be alarmed" (13:7) | Scary news does not mean God has lost control. |
| "The beginning of birth pains" (13:8) | Hard times come before new life. |
| "The one who perseveres to the end will be saved" (13:13) | Jesus keeps his people through hard times. |
| "The Son of Man coming in the clouds" (13:26) | Jesus will come again in glory. |
| "My words will never pass away" (13:31) | Everything else may fall. Jesus's words stand. |
| "No one knows about that day or hour" (13:32) | Nobody can predict the date. Don't trust anyone who says they can. |
| "Keep watch!" (13:37) | Live ready, every day, trusting Jesus. |
Back Then
The temple was destroyed in AD 70. About forty years after Jesus said this, the Roman army burned Jerusalem and tore down the temple (Easton's Bible Dictionary). Some of its foundation stones can still be seen today.
The Mount of Olives faces the temple. From its slopes, you could look across the valley at the whole temple.
"The abomination of desolation" comes from the book of Daniel. Jesus pointed to Daniel's words (Daniel 11:31). Christians have understood them in different ways.
Literal Reader Alert
Is the world about to end? Nobody knows. Jesus said even he, as a man on earth, did not know the day (13:32). People have predicted dates many times, and they have always been wrong. Jesus's answer to "when?" is "keep watch," not "panic."
Do wars and earthquakes mean the end is here? Jesus said, "Do not be alarmed... the end is still to come" (13:7). Hard things in the news are not a countdown. They are reminders that the world needs Jesus.
What does "this generation will not pass away" mean? Christians understand verse 30 in different ways. Many think Jesus meant the destruction of the temple, which happened within forty years. Others think "this generation" means all people living until the end.
Does this chapter make you feel scared? That's understandable. The heart of the chapter is in verse 31: "My words will never pass away." Jesus told his disciples all this so they would not be fooled or afraid. If worry about the future keeps you up at night, please talk with a trusted adult.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A disciple | Amazed | The temple buildings were magnificent (13:1) |
| The four disciples | Curious | They wanted to know when (13:4) |
| Jesus | Caring | He warned them ahead of time (13:23) |
| Jesus | Calm | He told them not to be alarmed (13:7) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
How do you feel when you hear about the end of the world? Tap one.
Scared
Jesus's first words were "don't be alarmed." His words will never pass away. You are safe with him.
Curious
The disciples were curious too. Jesus didn't give a date. He said, "Keep watch."
Hopeful
Good. Jesus is coming back. The story ends with him gathering his people.
I don't think about it
That's okay. "Keep watch" just means living each day trusting Jesus.
You Might Have Heard
"If you study the signs carefully, you can figure out when the world will end."
What's true: Jesus told his disciples to pay attention and not be fooled (13:5).
What the passage is mainly about: "No one knows about that day or hour" (13:32). Jesus didn't give a timetable. He gave a promise and a job: I am coming back, so keep watch, and keep telling the good news to all nations (13:10).
Where Jesus is: On the Mount of Olives, days before his death, telling his friends the truth. And coming again in glory to gather his people.
Good News
Temples fall. Stars fall. Nations fight. But Jesus said this:
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away" (13:31).
The end of the story is not ruin. It is Jesus, coming in glory to gather his people from every corner of the earth.
Jesus is coming again to gather his people. His words will never pass away, so you can live each day ready and unafraid.
Big Idea
Jesus is coming again. No one knows when, so keep watch and don't be alarmed. His words will never pass away.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther was once asked what he would do if he knew Jesus would come tomorrow. A saying often credited to him is that he would still plant a little apple tree today. Historians have not found this in his writings. But it fits his teaching: Christians wait for Jesus by doing their daily work faithfully, without fear.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads about Jesus's coming on the First Sunday of Advent every year: Matthew 24:36-44 in Year A, Mark 13:24-37 in Year B, and Luke 21:25-36 in Year C. It also reads Mark 13:1-8 (Year B) and Luke 21:5-19 (Year C) in November, near the end of the church year.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
How did that feel?
You finished Jesus Speaks About the End.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- First Sunday of Advent Year AGospel, Matthew 24:36–44
- First Sunday of Advent Year BGospel, Mark 13:24–37
- Lectionary 33 Year BGospel, Mark 13:1–8
- First Sunday of Advent Year CGospel, Luke 21:25–36
- Lectionary 33 Year CGospel, Luke 21:5–19
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Jesus Speaks About the End, explained in plain words. Wars, earthquakes, and false teachers. Jesus says, "Do not be alarmed." About 13 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/jesus-speaks-about-the-end/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church