1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
1 And G2532 as he G846 went G1607 out of G1537 the temple, G2411 one G1520 of his G846 disciples G3101 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Master, G1320 see G2396 what manner G4217 of stones G3037 and G2532 what G4217 buildings G3619 are here!
2 And G2532 Jesus G2424 answering G611 said G2036 unto him, G846 Seest thou G991 these G5025 great G3173 buildings? G3619 there shall G863 not G3364 be left G863 one stone G3037 upon G1909 another, G3037 that G3739 shall G2647 not G3364 be thrown down. G2647
3 And G2532 as he G846 sat G2521 upon G1519 the mount G3735 of Olives G1636 over against G2713 the temple, G2411 Peter G4074 and G2532 James G2385 and G2532 John G2491 and G2532 Andrew G406 asked G1905 him G846 privately, G2596 G2398
4 Tell G2036 us, G2254 when G4219 shall these things G5023 be? G2071 and G2532 what G5101 shall be the sign G4592 when G3752 all G3956 these things G5023 shall G3195 be fulfilled? G4931
5 And G1161 Jesus G2424 answering G611 them G846 began G756 to say, G3004 Take heed G991 lest G3361 any G5100 man deceive G4105 you: G5209
6 For G1063 many G4183 shall come G2064 in G1909 my G3450 name, G3686 saying, G3004 G3754 I G1473 am G1510 Christ; and G2532 shall deceive G4105 many. G4183
7 And G1161 when G3752 ye shall hear G191 of wars G4171 and G2532 rumours G189 of wars, G4171 be ye G2360 not G3361 troubled: G2360 for G1063 such things must G1163 needs be; G1096 but G235 the end G5056 shall not be yet. G3768
8 For G1063 nation G1484 shall rise G1453 against G1909 nation, G1484 and G2532 kingdom G932 against G1909 kingdom: G932 and G2532 there shall be G2071 earthquakes G4578 in divers G2596 places, G5117 and G2532 there shall be G2071 famines G3042 and G2532 troubles: G5016 these G5023 are the beginnings G746 of sorrows. G5604
9 But G1161 take heed G5210 G991 to yourselves: G1438 for G1063 they shall deliver G3860 you G5209 up G3860 to G1519 councils; G4892 and G2532 in G1519 the synagogues G4864 ye shall be beaten: G1194 and G2532 ye shall be brought G2476 G71 before G1909 rulers G2232 and G2532 kings G935 for my G1700 sake, G1752 for G1519 a testimony G3142 against them. G846
10 And G2532 the gospel G2098 must G1163 first G4412 be published G2784 among G1519 all G3956 nations. G1484
11 But G1161 when G3752 they shall lead G71 you, and deliver G3860 you G5209 up, G3860 take G4305 no G3361 thought beforehand G4305 what G5101 ye shall speak, G2980 neither G3366 do ye premeditate: G3191 but G235 whatsoever G3739 shall be G1437 given G1325 you G5213 in G1722 that G1565 hour, G5610 that G5124 speak G2980 ye: for G1063 it is G2075 not G3756 ye G5210 that speak, G2980 but G235 the Holy G40 Ghost. G4151
12 Now G1161 the brother G80 shall betray G3860 the brother G80 to G1519 death, G2288 and G2532 the father G3962 the son; G5043 and G2532 children G5043 shall rise up G1881 against G1909 their parents, G1118 and G2532 shall cause G2289 them G846 to be put to death. G2289
13 And G2532 ye shall be G2071 hated G3404 of G5259 all G3956 men for G1223 my G3450 name's sake: G1223 G3686 but G1161 he that shall endure G5278 unto G1519 the end, G5056 the same G3778 shall be saved. G4982
14 But G1161 when G3752 ye shall see G1492 the abomination G946 of desolation, G2050 spoken G4483 of by G5259 Daniel G1158 the prophet, G4396 standing G2476 G2476 where G3699 it ought G1163 not, G3756 (let him that readeth G314 understand,) G3539 then G5119 let them G5343 that be in G1722 Judaea G2449 flee G5343 to G1519 the mountains: G3735
15 And G1161 let him G2597 that is on G1909 the housetop G1430 not G3361 go down G2597 into G1519 the house, G3614 neither G3366 enter G1525 therein, to take G142 any thing G5100 out of G1537 his G846 house: G3614
16 And G2532 let G1994 him that is G5607 in G1519 the field G68 not G3361 turn G1994 G1519 back G3694 again G1994 for to take up G142 his G846 garment. G2440
17 But G1161 woe G3759 to them that are G2192 with G1722 child, G1064 and G2532 to them that give suck G2337 in G1722 those G1565 days! G2250
18 And G1161 pray ye G4336 that G3363 your G5216 flight G5437 be G1096 not G3363 in the winter. G5494
19 For G1063 in those G1565 days G2250 shall be G2071 affliction, G2347 such G5108 as G3634 was G1096 not G3756 from G575 the beginning G746 of the creation G2937 which G3739 God G2316 created G2936 unto G2193 this time, G3568 neither G2532 G3364 shall be. G1096
20 And G2532 except G1508 that the Lord G2962 had shortened G2856 those days, G2250 no G3756 G3956 flesh G4561 should be G302 saved: G4982 but G235 for G1223 the elect's sake, G1588 whom G3739 he hath chosen, G1586 he hath shortened G2856 the days. G2250
21 And G2532 then G5119 if G1437 any man G5100 shall say G2036 to you, G5213 Lo, G2400 here G5602 is Christ; G5547 or, G2228 lo, G2400 he is there; G1563 believe G4100 him not: G3361
22 For G1063 false Christs G5580 and G2532 false prophets G5578 shall rise, G1453 and G2532 shall shew G1325 signs G4592 and G2532 wonders, G5059 to G4314 seduce, G635 if G1487 it were possible, G1415 even G2532 the elect. G1588
23 But G1161 take G991 ye G5210 heed: G991 behold, G2400 I have foretold G4280 you G5213 all things. G3956
24 But G235 in G1722 those G1565 days, G2250 after G3326 that G1565 tribulation, G2347 the sun G2246 shall be darkened, G4654 and G2532 the moon G4582 shall G1325 not G3756 give G1325 her G846 light, G5338
25 And G2532 the stars G792 of heaven G3772 shall G2071 fall, G1601 and G2532 the powers G1411 that are in G1722 heaven G3772 shall be shaken. G4531
26 And G2532 then G5119 shall they see G3700 the Son G5207 of man G444 coming G2064 in G1722 the clouds G3507 with G3326 great G4183 power G1411 and G2532 glory. G1391
27 And G2532 then G5119 shall he send G649 his G846 angels, G32 and G2532 shall gather together G1996 his G846 elect G1588 from G1537 the four G5064 winds, G417 from G575 the uttermost part G206 of the earth G1093 to G2193 the uttermost part G206 of heaven. G3772
28 Now G1161 learn G3129 a parable G3850 of G575 the fig tree; G4808 When G3752 her G846 branch G2798 is G1096 yet G2235 tender, G527 and G2532 putteth forth G1631 leaves, G5444 ye know G1097 that G3754 summer G2330 is G2076 near: G1451
29 So G3779 ye G5210 in like manner, G2532 when G3752 ye shall see G1492 these things G5023 come to pass, G1096 know G1097 that G3754 it is G2076 nigh, G1451 even at G1909 the doors. G2374
30 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that G3754 this G3778 generation G1074 shall G3928 not G3364 pass, G3928 till G3360 G3739 all G3956 these things G5023 be done. G1096
31 Heaven G3772 and G2532 earth G1093 shall pass away: G3928 but G1161 my G3450 words G3056 shall G3928 not G3364 pass away. G3928
32 But G1161 of G4012 that G1565 day G2250 and G2532 that hour G5610 knoweth G1492 no man, G3762 no, not G3761 the angels G32 which G3588 are in G1722 heaven, G3772 neither G3761 the Son, G5207 but G1508 the Father. G3962
33 Take ye heed, G991 watch G69 and G2532 pray: G4336 for G1063 ye know G1492 not G3756 when G4219 the time G2540 is. G2076
34 For the Son of man is as G5613 a man G444 taking a far journey, G590 who left G863 his G846 house, G3614 and G2532 gave G1325 authority G1849 to his G846 servants, G1401 and G2532 to every man G1538 his G846 work, G2041 and G2532 commanded G1781 the porter G2377 to G2443 watch. G1127
35 Watch ye G1127 therefore: G3767 for G1063 ye know G1492 not G3756 when G4219 the master G2962 of the house G3614 cometh, G2064 at even, G3796 or G2228 at midnight, G3317 or G2228 at the cockcrowing, G219 or G2228 in the morning: G4404
36 Lest G3361 coming G2064 suddenly G1810 he find G2147 you G5209 sleeping. G2518
37 And G1161 what G3739 I say G3004 unto you G5213 I say G3004 unto all, G3956 Watch. G1127
1 And as he went forth out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Teacher, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings!
2 And Jesus said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left here one stone upon another, which shall not be thrown down.
3 And as he sat on the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what `shall be' the sign when these things are all about to be accomplished?
5 And Jesus began to say unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray.
6 Many shall come in my name, saying, I am `he'; and shall lead many astray.
7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be not troubled: `these things' must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet.
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there shall be earthquakes in divers places; there shall be famines: these things are the beginning of travail.
9 But take ye heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in synagogues shall ye be beaten; and before governors and kings shall ye stand for my sake, for a testimony unto them.
10 And the gospel must first be preached unto all the nations.
11 And when they lead you `to judgment', and deliver you up, be not anxious beforehand what ye shall speak: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye; for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit.
12 And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child; and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.
13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
14 But when ye see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains:
15 and let him that is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out his house:
16 and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak.
17 But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!
18 And pray ye that it be not in the winter.
19 For those days shall be tribulation, such as there hath not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never shall be.
20 And except the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the elect's sake, whom he chose, he shortened the days.
21 And then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ; or, Lo, there; believe `it' not:
22 for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect.
23 But take ye heed: behold, I have told you all things beforehand.
24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 and the stars shall be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then shall he send forth the angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
28 Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh;
29 even so ye also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that he is nigh, `even' at the doors.
30 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, until all these things be accomplished.
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
32 But of that day or that hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
34 `It is' as `when' a man, sojourning in another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, to each one his work, commanded also the porter to watch.
35 Watch therefore: for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning;
36 lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
1 And as he is going forth out of the temple, one of his disciples saith to him, `Teacher, see! what stones! and what buildings!'
2 and Jesus answering said to him, `Seest thou these great buildings? there may not be left a stone upon a stone, that may not be thrown down.'
3 And as he is sitting at the mount of the Olives, over-against the temple, Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, were questioning him by himself,
4 `Tell us when these things shall be? and what `is' the sign when all these may be about to be fulfilled?'
5 And Jesus answering them, began to say, `Take heed lest any one may lead you astray,
6 for many shall come in my name, saying -- I am `he', and many they shall lead astray;
7 and when ye may hear of wars and reports of wars, be not troubled, for these behove to be, but the end `is' not yet;
8 for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles; beginnings of sorrows `are' these.
9 `And take ye heed to yourselves, for they shall deliver you up to sanhedrims, and to synagogues, ye shall be beaten, and before governors and kings ye shall be set for my sake, for a testimony to them;
10 and to all the nations it behoveth first that the good news be proclaimed.
11 `And when they may lead you, delivering up, be not anxious beforehand what ye may speak, nor premeditate, but whatever may be given to you in that hour, that speak ye, for it is not ye who are speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12 `And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and father child, and children shall rise up against parents, and shall put them to death,
13 and ye shall be hated by all because of my name, but he who hath endured to the end -- he shall be saved.
14 `And when ye may see the abomination of the desolation, that was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (whoever is reading let him understand), then those in Judea, let them flee to the mountains;
15 and he upon the house-top, let him not come down to the house, nor come in to take anything out of his house;
16 and he who is in the field, let him not turn to the things behind, to take up his garment.
17 `And wo to those with child, and to those giving suck, in those days;
18 and pray ye that your flight may not be in winter,
19 for those days shall be tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the creation that God created, till now, and may not be;
20 and if the Lord did not shorten the days, no flesh had been saved; but because of the chosen, whom He did choose to Himself, He did shorten the days.
21 `And then, if any may say to you, Lo, here `is' the Christ, or, Lo, there, ye may not believe;
22 for there shall rise false Christs and false prophets, and they shall give signs and wonders, to seduce, if possible, also the chosen;
23 and ye, take heed; lo, I have foretold you all things.
24 `But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 and the stars of the heaven shall be falling, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken.
26 `And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in clouds with much power and glory,
27 and then he shall send his messengers, and gather together his chosen from the four winds, from the end of the earth unto the end of heaven.
28 `And from the fig-tree learn ye the simile: when the branch may already become tender, and may put forth the leaves, ye know that nigh is the summer;
29 so ye, also, when these ye may see coming to pass, ye know that it is nigh, at the doors.
30 Verily I say to you, that this generation may not pass away till all these things may come to pass;
31 the heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
32 `And concerning that day and the hour no one hath known -- not even the messengers who are in the heaven, not even the Son -- except the Father.
33 Take heed, watch and pray, for ye have not known when the time is;
34 as a man who is gone abroad, having left his house, and given to his servants the authority, and to each one his work, did command also the porter that he may watch;
35 watch ye, therefore, for ye have not known when the lord of the house doth come, at even, or at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or at the morning;
36 lest, having come suddenly, he may find you sleeping;
37 and what I say to you, I say to all, Watch.'
1 And as he was going out of the temple, one of his disciples says to him, Teacher, see what stones and what buildings!
2 And Jesus answering said to him, Seest thou these great buildings? not a stone shall be left upon a stone, which shall not be thrown down.
3 And as he sat on the mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
4 Tell us, when shall these things be, and what is the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?
5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any one mislead you.
6 For many shall come in my name, saying, It is *I*, and shall mislead many.
7 But when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be not disturbed, for [this] must happen, but the end is not yet.
8 For nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be earthquakes in [different] places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these things [are the] beginnings of throes.
9 But *ye*, take heed to yourselves, for they shall deliver you up to sanhedrims and to synagogues: ye shall be beaten and brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them;
10 and the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.
11 But when they shall lead you away to deliver you up, be not careful beforehand as to what ye shall say, [nor prepare your discourse]: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak; for *ye* are not the speakers, but the Holy Spirit.
12 But brother shall deliver up brother to death, and father child; and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.
13 And ye will be hated of all on account of my name; but he that has endured to the end, *he* shall be saved.
14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not, (he that reads let him consider [it],) then let those in Judaea flee to the mountains;
15 and him that is upon the housetop not come down into the house, nor enter [into it] to take away anything out of his house;
16 and him that is in the field not return back to take his garment.
17 But woe to those that are with child and to those that give suck in those days!
18 And pray that it may not be in winter time;
19 for those days shall be distress such as there has not been the like since [the] beginning of creation which God created, until now, and never shall be;
20 and if [the] Lord had not cut short those days, no flesh should have been saved; but on account of the elect whom he has chosen, he has cut short those days.
21 And then if any one say to you, Lo, here [is] the Christ, or Lo, there, believe [it] not.
22 For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and give signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
23 But do *ye* take heed: behold, I have told you all things beforehand.
24 But in those days, after that distress, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give its light;
25 and the stars of heaven shall be falling down, and the powers which are in the heavens shall be shaken;
26 and then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory;
27 and then shall he send his angels and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from end of earth to end of heaven.
28 But learn the parable from the fig-tree: when its branch already becomes tender and puts forth the leaves, ye know that the summer is near.
29 Thus also *ye*, when ye see these things happening, know that it is near, at the doors.
30 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall in no wise pass away, till all these things take place.
31 The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall in no wise pass away.
32 But of that day or of that hour no one knows, neither the angels who are in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father.
33 Take heed, watch and pray, for ye do not know when the time is:
34 [it is] as a man gone out of the country, having left his house and given to his bondmen the authority, and to each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper that he should watch.
35 Watch therefore, for ye do not know when the master of the house comes: evening, or midnight, or cock-crow, or morning;
36 lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37 But what I say to you, I say to all, Watch.
1 As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!"
2 Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down."
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,
4 "Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?"
5 Jesus, answering, began to tell them, "Be careful that no one leads you astray.
6 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!{Literally, "I AM!"}' and will lead many astray.
7 "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don't be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet.
8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains.
9 But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.
10 The Gospel must first be preached to all the nations.
11 When they lead you away and deliver you up, don't be anxious beforehand, or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
12 "Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.
13 You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end, the same will be saved.
14 But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,
15 and let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house.
16 Let him who is in the field not return back to take his cloak.
17 But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days!
18 Pray that your flight won't be in the winter.
19 For in those days there will be oppression, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be.
20 Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days.
21 Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there!' don't believe it.
22 For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.
23 But you watch. "Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.
24 But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light,
25 the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
27 Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.
28 "Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that the summer is near;
29 even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors.
30 Most assuredly I say to you, this generation{The word translated "generation" (genea) could also be translated "race," "family," or "people."} will not pass away until all these things happen.
31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
32 But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33 Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don't know when the time is.
34 "It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch.
35 Watch therefore, for you don't know when the lord of the house is coming, whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning;
36 lest coming suddenly he might find you sleeping.
37 What I tell you, I tell all: Watch."
1 And when he was going out of the Temple, one of his disciples said to him, Master, see, what stones and what buildings!
2 And Jesus said to him, Do you see these great buildings? there is not one stone here resting on another which will not be overturned.
3 And while he was seated on the Mountain of Olives opposite the Temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew said to him privately,
4 Say when these things will be, and what will be the sign when these things are all about to be done.
5 And Jesus said to them, Take care that you are not tricked by anyone.
6 People will come in my name, saying, I am he; and a number will be turned from the true way.
7 And when you have news of wars and talk of wars, do not be troubled; these things have to be, but it is still not the end.
8 Nation will go to war with nation, and kingdom with kingdom: there will be earth-shocks in different places; there will be times when there is no food; these things are the first of the troubles.
9 But take care: for they will give you up to the Sanhedrins; and in Synagogues you will be whipped; and you will be taken before rulers and kings because of me, for a sign to them.
10 And the good news has first to be given to all the nations.
11 And when you are taken and given up to be judged, do not be troubled about what to say: but whatever is given to you in that hour, say: because it is not you who say it, but the Holy Spirit.
12 And brother will give up brother to death, and the father his child; and children will go against their fathers and mothers, and put them to death.
13 And you will be hated by all men, because of my name; but he who goes through to the end will have salvation.
14 But when you see the unclean thing which makes destruction, in the place where it has no right to be (let this be clear to the reader), then let those who are in Judaea go quickly to the mountains:
15 And let him who is on the house-top not go down, or go in, to take anything out of his house:
16 And let not him who is in the field go back to take his coat.
17 And it will be hard for women who are with child and for her who has a baby at the breast in those days.
18 And say a prayer that it may not be in the winter.
19 For in those days there will be sorrow, such as there has not been from the time when God made the world till now, and will not ever be again.
20 And if the Lord had not made the time short, no flesh would have been kept from destruction; but because of the saints he has made the time short.
21 And then if any man says to you, See, here is Christ; or, See, there; have no faith in it:
22 Because there will be false Christs and false prophets, and they will give signs and wonders in the hope of turning even the saints from the true way.
23 But take care; see, I have made all things clear to you before the time.
24 But in those days, after that time of trouble, the sun will be made dark and the moon will not give her light,
25 And the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers which are in the heavens will be moved.
26 And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then he will send out the angels, and will get together his saints from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.
28 Take an example from the fig-tree: when its branches become soft and put out their leaves, you see that the summer is near;
29 Even so, when you see these things taking place, you may be certain that he is near, even at the doors.
30 Truly, I say to you, This generation will not come to an end till all these things are complete.
31 Heaven and earth will come to an end, but my words will not come to an end.
32 But of that day or that hour no one has knowledge, not even the angels in heaven, or the Son, but the Father.
33 Take care, keep watch with prayer: for you are not certain when the time will be.
34 It is as when a man who is in another country for a time, having gone away from his house, and given authority to his servants and to everyone his work, gives the porter an order to keep watch.
35 So you are to keep watch: because you are not certain when the master of the house is coming, in the evening, or in the middle of the night, or at the cock's cry, or in the morning;
36 For fear that, coming suddenly, he sees you sleeping.
37 And what I say to you, I say to all, Keep watch.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » John Gill's Exposition of the Bible » Commentary on Mark 13
Commentary on Mark 13 John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
And as he went out of the temple,.... The Ethiopic version reads, "as they went out"; Christ and his disciples: for when Christ went out of the temple, the disciples went out with him; or at least very quickly followed him, and came to him, as appears from what follows; though the true reading is, "as he went out": and the Syriac and Persic versions are more express, and read, "as Jesus went out": for having done all he intended to do there, he left it, never more to return to it:
one of his disciples: it may be Peter, who was generally pretty forward, and commonly the mouth of the rest, as this disciple was, whoever he was: the Persic version reads, "the disciples"; and Matthew and Luke represent them in general, as observing to Christ, the beauty and grandeur of the temple, as this disciple did: who
saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here. The temple, as repaired by Herod, was a very beautiful building, according to the account the Jews give of it, and its stones were of a very great magnitude; See Gill on Matthew 24:1.
And Jesus answering said unto him,.... The Persic version reads, "unto them"; and so Beza's most ancient copy but as that question is put by one, the reply is made to him:
seest thou these great buildings? how beautiful and strong they are. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, add the word all; and the sense is, dost thou take a survey of all these buildings, and of the whole of this stately edifice? and dost thou not admire the strength and grandeur of them? and dost thou not think they will be of long duration, and that the demolition of them is scarcely possible?
There shall not be left one stone upon another. The Syriac and Arabic versions add, "here": as in Matthew 24:9, and so it is read in four of Beza's copies, and in others:
that shall not be thrown down; See Gill on Matthew 24:2.
And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives,.... On the east of Jerusalem:
over against the temple: where he could have a full view of it; the eastern wall of the temple being lower than the rest; See Gill on Matthew 24:3.
Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, asked him privately; apart from the rest of the disciples, they being, especially the first three, his favourites, and very familiar with him.
Tell us when shall these things be?.... When the temple will be destroyed, and these fine buildings shall be demolished, and not one of these large stones shall be left upon another:
and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? And what is the sign of his coming, and of the end of the world, as Matthew relates; See Gill on Matthew 24:3.
And Jesus answering them,.... His four disciples, Peter, John, James, and Andrew: "began to say"; or "said", a way of speaking frequent with this evangelist:
take heed lest any man deceive you; See Gill on Matthew 24:4.
For many shall come in my name,.... Taking upon them the name of the Messiah: saying,
I am Christ; the word "Christ", is rightly supplied from Matthew 24:5; otherwise in the original it is only, "I am"; which the Persic version doubles, reading it, "I am indeed, I am": he that was promised and expected, the true Messiah; he that was to come:
and shall deceive many; See Gill on Matthew 24:5.
And when ye shall hear of wars, and rumours of wars,.... Among the Jews themselves, and with the Romans:
be not troubled; keep your place, abide by your work, go on preaching the Gospel, without distressing yourselves about the event of things:
for such things must needs be: being decreed by God, foretold by Christ, and made necessary by the sins of the people:
but the end shall not be yet; of the temple, of Jerusalem, and of the Jewish state and nation; See Gill on Matthew 24:6.
For nation shall rise against nation,.... The nations of the world one against another, and the Romans against the Jews, and the Jews against them:
and kingdom against kingdom; which is a synonymous phrase with the former, and what the Jews call, מלות שונות, "different words", expressing the same thing, often used in their commentaries:
and there shall be earthquakes in divers places; of the world:
and there shall be famines: especially in Judea, as in the times of Claudius Caesar, and at the siege of Jerusalem:
and troubles; public ones of various sorts, as tumults, seditions, murders, &c. This word is omitted in the Vulgate Latin, and Ethiopic versions.
These are the beginnings of sorrows; as of a woman with child, as the word signifies; whose pains before, though they are the beginnings and pledges of what shall come after, are not to be compared with those that immediately precede, and attend the birth of the child: and so all those troubles, which should be some time before the destruction of Jerusalem, would be but small, but light afflictions, the beginning of sorrows, in comparison of what should immediately go before, and attend that desolation; See Gill on Matthew 24:7, Matthew 24:8.
But take heed to yourselves,.... This does not so much regard their doctrine and conversation, they were to take heed to; in which sense this phrase is sometimes used; but the security of their persons and lives; and the advice is, to take care of them selves, as much as in them lay, how they came into the hands of the persecuting Jews, and exposed themselves to danger, when at any time it could be avoided:
for they shall deliver you up to councils; their greater and lesser sanhedrim; the one consisting of seventy one persons, the other of twenty three, and the least of three only; and before the greater of these, Peter and John were brought, quickly, after the ascension of Christ:
and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten; with forty stripes, save one, as the Apostle Paul was, five, times:
and ye shall be brought before rulers; governors of Roman provinces, as the same apostle was, before Gallio, Festus, and Felix:
and kings for my sake; for the sake of professing Christ, and preaching his Gospel; as some of the apostles were, before Herod, Agrippa, Nero, Domitian, and others:
for a testimony against them: both against the rulers and kings before whom they should be brought, and bear a testimony for Christ, and against the Jews, who should bring them thither; See Gill on Matthew 10:17; see Gill on Matthew 10:18.
And the Gospel must first be published among all nations. The Syriac version reads, "my Gospel"; the Gospel which Christ was the author, subject, and preacher of; this "must be published". There was a necessity of the promulgation of it by the will of God, the command and commission of Christ; and for the gathering in of the Jews, that were the elect of God, "among all nations" of the world, especially in the Roman empire; and that "first", or before the destruction of Jerusalem; See Gill on Matthew 24:14.
But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up,.... Lead to councils and courts of judicature, and deliver up to kings and rulers, to the civil magistrate, to be punished by the secular arm:
take no thought before hand; be not previously anxious, and carefully solicitous, in a distressing way:
what ye shall speak: to kings and rulers, by way of apology for yourselves, and your own innocence, and in defence of the Gospel:
neither do ye premeditate; or "meditate", as the generality of copies read: Beza says in one copy it is read, "premeditate": and so in one of Stephens's, as we render it: this clause is omitted in the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions:
but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour; whatever shall be immediately suggested to your thoughts, be put into your minds, and laid upon your hearts:
that speak ye; freely and boldly without the fear of men:
for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost: not but that they did speak, but they were not the principal authors, either of the matter they spoke, or of the words and language in which they spoke; they were only the instruments of the Holy Ghost; they spoke as they were moved by him: hence their wisdom and eloquence in their self-defence, were amazing, and their arguments strong and unanswerable; See Gill on Matthew 10:19, Matthew 10:20,
Now the brother shall betray the brother to death,.... Signifying, that such should be the rage of men, particularly the Jews, against Christ and his Gospel, that those that were in the nearest relation, were of the same flesh and blood, children of the same parents, should betray and deliver up each other into the hands of the civil magistrate, in order to be put to death:
and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death; things unnatural and shocking; See Gill on Matthew 10:21.
And ye shall be hated of all men,.... Not only of your friends and relations of your countrymen the Jews; but of all men, the generality of men, in, all nations of the world, wherever they came:
for my name's sake; for the sake of Christ and his Gospel, they professed and preached:
but he that shall endure; reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions, patiently; or persevere in the faith of Christ, in the profession of his name, and in preaching his Gospel:
to the end; of such troubles, and of life:
the same shall be saved; if not with a temporal, yet with an everlasting salvation; See Gill on Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13.
But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation,.... The Roman army encompassing Jerusalem, which was an abomination to the Jews, and an "impure sign" of their destruction, as the Syriac and Persic versions render it; and a desolating one to their nation, city, and temple:
spoken of by Daniel the prophet, in Daniel 9:27. This clause is omitted in the Vulgate Latin, and was not found by Beza, in two of his copies, and is thought to be transcribed from Matthew:
standing where it ought not; round about the city, in the midst of it, and even in the temple: in one of Beza's exemplars it is added, "in the holy place", as in Matthew; and so it is read in the Ethiopic version:
let him that readeth understand; either the passage in Daniel, or the citation of it by the evangelist, when he shall see this come to pass: this seems to be rather the words of the evangelist, than of Christ; since this was not written (and so not to be read), but spoken by Christ; and since his usual phrase was, "he that hath ears, let him hear": though indeed the same exhortation is in Matthew, and may be understood of Christ, as it may refer to the written prophecy in Daniel, and indeed to the Gospel, which might be read before this event came to pass: See Gill on Matthew 24:15.
Then let them that be in Judea flee to the mountains; they that are in Jerusalem, or in any of the cities and towns of Judea, let them make their escape, as soon as possible, to the mountainous parts of the country; where they may be more safe from, the devastations of the Roman army; See Gill on Matthew 24:16.
And let him that is on the house top,.... On the battlements of the house, either for diversion or devotion:
not go down into the house; in the inner way by the stairs, or ladder within doors:
neither enter therein; being come down from the top of the house, by stairs, or a ladder without, which was usual:
to take any thing out of his house; to take care of his goods, or take any thing along with him, that might be useful in his flight, and journey, and stay abroad; See Gill on Matthew 24:17.
And let him that is in the field,.... At work, in any sort of business there,
not turn back again: either to his own house, or rather to that part of the field where he laid down his clothes:
for to take up his garment; but let him flee without it, or otherwise he would be in great danger; See Gill on Matthew 24:18.
But woe to them that are with child,.... Who because of their burdens, would be very unfit for, and very incapable of fleeing with any haste; and therefore very liable to fall into the hands of the enemy, and become their prey:
and to them that give suck in those days; who could not bear to leave their children behind, and yet would not be able to carry them with them; at least not without great trouble, and which would much retard their flight, and endanger their being taken by the enemy; See Gill on Matthew 24:19.
And pray ye that your flight be not in winter. When days are short, roads bad, the weather inclement; and when to lodge in mountains, is very incommodious, and uncomfortable. The Persic version adds, "neither on the sabbath day"; See Gill on Matthew 24:20.
For in those days shall be affliction,.... What with the close siege of the Romans; the fury of the zealots, and seditious; the rage of different parties among the Jews themselves; the ravage of the sword, both within and without, together with dreadful plagues and famines:
such as was not from the beginning of the creation, which God created, unto this time, neither shall be; of which there never was the like in any age, and cannot be paralleled in any history, since the beginning of time, or the world was made, or any thing in it, down to that period; nor ever will the like befall any one particular nation under the heavens, to the end of the world; See Gill on Matthew 24:21.
And except that the Lord had shortened those days,.... Had determined that those days of affliction should be but few, and not last long; that the siege should not be longer continued, and the devastations within and without be prolonged:
no flesh should be saved; there would not have been a Jew left; that nation and race of men must have been utterly destroyed from off the face of the earth:
but for elect's sake, whom he hath chosen; in Christ, unto eternal salvation; who were either then upon the spot, called or uncalled, or that were to spring from in succeeding times:
he hath shortened the days; he hath determined they shall be but few, that a remnant might be saved, and among them his elect; or from whom should descend, such as he had chosen, who should be saved with an everlasting salvation: though the people in general have been given up to blindness and unbelief, yet they are preserved as a distinct people in the world; and in the latter day will be called and converted, and all Israel shall be saved and therefore it was the will of God to shorten those days of affliction, that they might not be entirely cut off, but that a number might be left, as a stock for future ages; See Gill on Matthew 24:22.
And then if any man shall say to you,.... During those days of tribulation and affliction, or when shortened and at an end:
lo! here is Christ, or lo! he is there; the Messiah has appeared in such or in such a place, to deliver you from your national distresses and calamities, and from the Roman yoke and bondage:
believe him not; give no credit to such a report, for the reason following; See Gill on Matthew 24:23.
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise,.... As there did, both before and after the destruction of Jerusalem:
and shall show signs and wonders; as they pretended to do, and did, at least to the appearance of people:
to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect; who were chosen in Christ, unto eternal life; in consequence of which they truly believed in him, and were constant followers of him; but this was not possible: though such was the force of their deception, that there was apparent danger of it, were it not for the power and grace of God; See Gill on Matthew 24:24.
But take ye heed,.... The Persic version adds, "of them"; of the false Christs, and false prophets: for though the purposes of God, concerning the salvation of his elect, are infrustrable; his promises are yea and amen; his grace is efficacious and irresistible, and his power uncontrollable; and the salvation of his chosen ones certain; yet it becomes them to be on their guard against every deception, and temptation, and to make use of all means for their perseverance:
behold, I have foretold you all things; relating to the destruction of the temple, city, and nation of the Jews; the signs that would go before it, as the disciples had desired; the miseries and calamities that would attend it, and the danger they would be exposed to through false Christs, and false prophets; and therefore would be inexcusable, if they did not observe the caution he now gave them: and moreover, when all these should be accomplished, they would remember that he had told them of them beforehand; which would be a proof of his omniscience, and so an establishment of them in the truth of him, as the Messiah; See Gill on Matthew 24:25.
But in those days, after that tribulation,.... That is, after the destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem, and the miseries and calamities attending it, in the times immediately following it; see Matthew 24:29;
the sun shall be darkened: so the Shekinah, or glory of the divine majesty was withdrawn, and all the symbols of the divine presence were gone, when the temple was destroyed:
and the moon shall not give her light; the ceremonial law, which though abolished by the death of Christ, was observed by the Jews as long as the temple stood; but now ceased, particularly that principal branch of it, the daily sacrifice; See Gill on Matthew 24:29.
And the stars of heaven shall fall,.... The Jewish Rabbins and doctors, who fell off from the written word, and compiled their "Misna", or oral law, their book of traditions, and set it up above the Bible, the foundation of which was laid immediately upon their dispersion.
And the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken; the ordinances of the legal dispensation, which were shaken before, but now so shaken as to be removed; compare Haggai 2:6 with Hebrews 12:26; See Gill on Matthew 24:29.
And then shall they see the son of man,.... Not in person, but in the power of his wrath and vengeance; of which the Jews then had a convincing evidence, and full proof; and even of his being come in the flesh, as if they had seen him in person: this shows, that the sign of the son of man, in Matthew 24:30 is the same with the son of man:
coming in the clouds with great power and glory; not to judgment, but having taken vengeance on the Jewish nation, to set up his kingdom and glory in the Gentile world; See Gill on Matthew 24:30.
And then he shall send his angels,.... The ministers of the Gospel to preach it, and plant more churches among the Gentiles, since that at Jerusalem was entirely broken up:
and shall gather together his elect; that is, he the son of man, or Christ, shall gather them by the ministry of his servants; or "they shall gather them", as the Ethiopic version reads; and as Beza says it is read in a certain copy: these ministers shall be the means of gathering such whom God has chosen from all eternity, to obtain salvation by Christ, out of the world, and unto Christ, and into a Gospel church state: even
from the uttermost part of the earth, to the uttermost part of the heaven; be they where they will, on earth, and under the whole heavens; See Gill on Matthew 24:31.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree,.... Our Lord was now upon the Mount of Olives, in one part of which fig trees grew in great plenty, and one, or more, might be near, and in view; and it was the time of year, the passover being at hand, for its putting forth:
when her branch is yet tender; and soft and opening, through the sap now in motion:
and putteth forth leaves; from the branches:
ye know, that summer is near; from such an appearance on the fig tree; See Gill on Matthew 24:32.
So ye, in like manner,.... This is an accommodation of the parable to the present case:
when ye shall see these things come to pass; the signs preceding the destruction of Jerusalem, and especially the abomination of desolation, or the Roman army surrounding it:
know that it, or he is nigh, even at at the doors; either that the destruction of Jerusalem is near; or that the son of man is just ready to come to take vengeance on it; or as Luke says, Luke 21:31, the kingdom of God is nigh at hand; or a more glorious display of the kingly power of Christ, in the destruction of his enemies, and a greater spread of his Gospel in the Gentile world; See Gill on Matthew 24:33.
Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass,.... Not the generation of men, in general, or Jews in particular, nor of Christians; but that present generation of men, they should not all go off the stage of life,
till all these things be done; which were now predicted by Christ, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, the signs of it, and what, should immediately follow upon it; See Gill on Matthew 24:34.
Heaven and earth shall pass away,.... Which may be understood either affirmatively, as what will be at the second coming of Christ; or comparatively, rather than any thing said by Christ should; and so shows the certainty and irreversibleness of his predictions, as it follows:
but my words shall not pass away; which is true of all the words of Christ he ever spake, and here particularly relates to those he had just delivered, concerning the calamities that should come upon the Jewish nation; See Gill on Matthew 24:35.
But of that day, and of that hour,.... Of Jerusalem's destruction; for of nothing else had Christ been speaking; and, it is plain, the words are anaphorical, and relate to what goes before:
knoweth no man; nay, they that lived to see it, and have spoken of it, are not agreed about the particular day, when it was; much less did they know it beforehand, or could speak of it, and make it known to others:
no, not the angels which are in heaven; who are acquainted with many of the divine secrets, and have been employed in the imparting them to others, and in the executing divine purposes:
neither the Son; Christ, as the son of man; though he did know it as the Son of God, who knows all things, and so this; but as the son of man, and from his human nature he had no knowledge of any thing future: what knowledge he had of future things in his humanity, he had from his deity; nor, as man, had he any commission to make known, nor did he make known the day of God's vengeance on the Jews:
but the Father; who has the times and seasons in his own power, for the executing of any particular judgment on a nation, or the general one; See Gill on Matthew 24:36.
Take ye heed, watch and pray,.... This seems to be the principal reason why the day and hour of Jerusalem's destruction, though known by the Father, were not made known to any man, neither to the angels, nor by them; nor to the son of man in the days of his flesh, nor by him when on earth; that his people might be upon their guard, against false Christs, and prophets, and their deception; and watch unto prayer, and in it, lest they fell into temptation, and that day should come upon them unawares:
for ye know not when the time is; the exact and precise time: for though the people of God had notice of it, and were sensible it was at hand, and did make their escape out of Jerusalem; yet they knew not the exact time, but that it might be sooner or later; and the unbelieving Jews were blinded, and in the dark about it to the very last; See Gill on Matthew 24:42.
For the son of man is as a man taking a far journey,.... Or this case of the son of man's coming to take vengeance on the Jewish nation, is like a man that takes a journey into a far country. This puts me in mind of a question askedF13Misn. Pesachim, c. 9. sect. 2. by the Jews:
"what דרך רחוקה, "a far journey" from Modiim, and without.'
from Modiim, according to the GemaraF14T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 93. 2. , and commentatorsF15Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. ib. on this passage, was a place fifteen miles from Jerusalem; so that, according to them, fifteen miles were reckoned a far journeyF16Maimon. Hilch. Korban Pesach. c. 5. sect. 9. .
Who left his house; and his goods in it, to the care and management of others during his absence:
and gave authority to his servants; to govern his house, and exercise power one over another, according to their different stations;
and to every man his work; which he was to do, while he was gone, and to give him an account of when he returned:
and commanded the porter to watch; his house, and take care that it was not broke open by thieves, and plundered of the substance that was in it. So Christ, when he ascended on high, went to heaven, the land afar off; left his house, his church, particularly in Judea, and at Jerusalem, to the care of his apostles, and gave authority to govern it, according to the laws, rules, and directions prescribed by him; and assigned every man his particular work, for which he gave him proper gifts and abilities; and ordered the porter to be on his watch, not Peter only, but all the apostles and ministers, whose business it is to watch over themselves, and the souls of men committed to their care.
Watch ye therefore,.... Against false Christs, and false prophets; over yourselves, and the whole church; for the words are particularly addressed to the disciples of Christ:
for ye know not when the master of the house cometh; when Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven, and in earth, is named, who is a Son in his own house, is an high priest over the house of God, and Lord of his church and people, whom he has bought with his blood, and provides for with his grace, and by his Spirit, when he will come to break up housekeeping with the Jews, and bring his wrath upon them to the uttermost: whether
at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning. This is agreeably to the division of the night among the Jews, who speak of the first watch, the middle of the night, the cock crowing, and morning, as distinct from each other. The three first of these we have in one passageF17Misn. Yoma, c. 1. sect. 8. T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 20. 9. & Zebachim, c. l. 96. 2. :
"every day they remove the ashes from the altar, הגבר בקריאת, "at cock crowing", or near it, either before, or after it; and on the day of atonement, מהצות, "at midnight"; and on the feast days, "at the first watch",'
the same with the evening here: and elsewhere the morning and cock crowing are distinguishedF18T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 2. 2. & Taanith, fol. 12. 1. ;
"for a last of the congregation, how long may a man eat and drink? until the pillar of the morning ascends, (or until it is morning,) the words of R. Eliezer ben Jacob; R. Simeon says, until cock crowing.'
And so the phrase, from cock crowing till morning, is used by themF19T. Bab. Zebachim, fol. 20. 2. . The Romans also divided the night in like manner, into evening, the dead of the night, or midnight, cock crowing, and the morningF20Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 4. c. 20. . The allusion seems to be to the time of the president of the temple's coming into it, who had the management of the affairs of it, and of appointing to each priest his work: it is saidF21Misn. Tumid. c. 1. sect. 2. ,
"whoever would remove the ashes from the altar, rose up early, and washed himself before the president came; but in what hour does the president come? not at all times alike: sometimes he comes, מקריאת הגבר, "at cock crowing", or near it, before it, or after it; and the president comes and knocks for them, and they open to him; and he says unto them, whosoever has washed himself, let him come and cast lots: they cast lots, and he is worthy whom he counts worthy.'
Such who understand these words of Christ's coming by death, or at judgment, apply these seasons to the several ages of men, as childhood, youth, manhood, and old age.
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.
And what I say unto you,.... The four disciples, Peter, James, John, and Andrew; who came privately to him, and put to him the questions, which occasioned this long discourse; see Mark 13:3.
I say unto all. The Syriac and Persic versions read, "you all"; meaning all the rest of his apostles, and all his disciples and followers in Jerusalem, and in all Judea; who were all concerned in these things, and whom it became to
watch, and be upon their guard, and cast off all sloth and negligence; since they knew not soon the son of man would come, and all these evil things would be brought upon the Jewish nation, city, and temple: and the same exhortation is suitable to saints in all ages, times, and places, on account of the various snares, temptations, and evils, that they are liable to, the suddenness of death, and the uncertainty of the second coming of Christ.