The larger section (13:5–23) ends with another warning about false messiahs. In this passage, these false leaders are connected with the events leading up to AD 70. In 13:5–6, however, they are connected more generally with ongoing events in history. Along with false messiahs, false prophets would appear and perform signs and wonders (13:22).
Jesus warned his followers not to believe such claims. When the Messiah comes from heaven, "every eye will see Him" (13:26; see Revelation 1:7).
be on your guard: This warning unifies the section (Mark 13:5–23) and brings it to a close. Jesus gave this teaching to warn his followers in Judea and Jerusalem not to be misled by false hopes and false messianic claims. Many Jews accepted such claims in the late AD 60s.
Josephus describes the great harm caused by these false leaders, who encouraged the Jewish people to fight against the Romans (Antiquities 17.10.8). Christians were not to let anything stop them from fleeing Judea and Jerusalem when they saw the abomination of desolation.
For Mark’s audience in Rome, the message of Jesus had a different application. Mark wanted his audience to be careful of people who claimed to know when the fulfillment of prophecy would occur. They could not know the time (13:32).
Jesus also forbade unhealthy excitement about his second coming. Instead, believers were to stay alert (13:33–37) and prepare for persecution (9–13; see 8:34–38). They were to trust the words of encouragement Jesus spoke (13:11, 13).