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In this lesson:
The Olivet Discourse (conclusion). Mark, chapter thirteen tells us that Jesus will return, but not when. Fortunately, it tells us how to live while we wait. It's Tuesday of Passion Week; Jesus has three days to live. This entire passage is Jesus talking. Study Tip: It helps tie the Bible together if you go back and review past lessons. |
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The Gospel According to St. Mark
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Mark 13:24-37
"Watch and pray" 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. |
Margin notes:
"In those days." (13:24) - Refers to the days described by Jesus in verses 13:6-23 (reading 91). "The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light." (1:24) - As prophesized by Joel eight-hundred years before the birth of Christ (Joel 2:10; 31; 3:15) and by John in Revelation 6:12-13. "Then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds." (13:26) - As prophesied in Daniel 7:13 and Revelation 1:7. Jesus will return "in the clouds," the same way He left (Acts 1:9-11). "From the uttermost part of the earth." (13:27) - "From the ends of the earth." "Learn a parable of the fig tree." (13:28) - "Learn a lesson from the fig tree." "My words shall not pass away." (13:31) - 1 Peter 1:25. "Ye know not when the time is." (13:33) - Jesus will repeat this warning in Matthew 25:13 and Revelation 3:3. "At even." (13:35) - "In the evening." |
To read more about Jesus' last days and His Second Coming, read Matthew 24:1-51 (lessons 49 and 50); Mark 13:1-23 (lesson 91); Luke 21:5-36; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-5:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3:5; 2 Peter 3:10-13 and Revelation 13:1-23.
New Living Translation
Mark: 13:24-37
24 "At that time, after the anguish of those days,
the sun will be darkened,
the moon will give no light,
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world-from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
28 "Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.
29 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door.
30 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place.
31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
32 "However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
33 And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!
34 "The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.
35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don't know when the master of the household will return-in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak.
36 Don't let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning.
37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!"
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
24 "At that time, after the anguish of those days,
the sun will be darkened,
the moon will give no light,
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world-from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
28 "Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.
29 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door.
30 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place.
31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
32 "However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
33 And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!
34 "The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.
35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don't know when the master of the household will return-in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak.
36 Don't let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning.
37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!"
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." (13:24-26)
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." (13:31)
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." (13:31)
Today's Question:
1. What advice does chapter thirteen offer as we wait for Jesus to return?
"Prayer is not merely an occasional impulse to which we respond when we are in trouble: prayer is a life attitude."
Walter A. Mueller
1. What advice does chapter thirteen offer as we wait for Jesus to return?
"Prayer is not merely an occasional impulse to which we respond when we are in trouble: prayer is a life attitude."
Walter A. Mueller
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. While waiting for Christ to return, chapter thirteen advises us that...
(1) "We are not to be misled by confusing claims or idle interpretations of what will happen (13:5-6)."
(2) "We should not be afraid to tell people about Christ, despite what they might say or do to us (13:9-11)."
(3) "We must endure by faith and not be surprised by persecution (13:13)."
(4) "We must be morally alert, and obedient to the commands for living found in God's word."
("The Life Application Study Bible"; published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream Illinois; page 1920)
Good advice from Jesus:
"What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." (13:37)
Remember verses 13:33-37 when facing temptation.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke