Keraia
Mark 13

Mark 13:19

The Abomination of Desolation · Mark 13:14–23
Read Mark 13

Translations

Modern
For those will be days of tribulation unseen from the beginning of God’s creation until now, and never to be seen again.
Traditional
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.
Literal
…for those days will be tribulation such as has not been from the beginning of creation that God created until now, and never shall be.
Latin
Erunt enim dies illi tribulationes tales quales non fuerunt ab initio creaturæ, quam condidit Deus usque nunc, neque fient.

Interlinear

Greek
English
For those will be days of tribulation unseen from the beginning of God’s creation until now, and never to be seen again.

Notes

Mark 13:19

  • For those will be days of tribulation unseen from the beginning of God’s creation until now: This kind of hyperbole (intentional exaggeration for emphasis) is common in Hebrew and Aramaic patterns of speech. It emphasizes the terror of that time and should not be understood as a precise comparison with every other disaster in history.

  • and never to be seen again: The events of 13:14–23 would not end human history. History continued after the destruction of the temple in AD 70.

Mark 13:14–20

Jesus now gave the sign requested in 13:4 and instructed his followers how to respond when they saw it. In 13:5–13, they were told not to be alarmed. Here they are told that those in Judea must flee to the hills.

Mark 13:5–23

  • Scholars often divide this section into two parts, 13:5–13 and 13:14–23. The first part is often interpreted as describing the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in AD 70, while the second part is taken to describe the coming of the Son of Man in the future. It is best, however, to interpret all of 13:5–23 as describing events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 because:

    1. 13:5–23 is the answer from Jesus to the two questions (13:4) that deal with the destruction of Jerusalem (13:2);

    2. The commands to flee Judea (13:14–16), the woe announced upon pregnant and nursing women (13:17), and the prayer that it not take place in winter (13:18) make sense if they refer to the events of AD 70 but not if they refer to the future return of Christ;

    3. Three warnings connect this passage (13:5, 9, 23) connect this passage together and show that 13:5–23 should be understood as a unit.

  • The section is arranged as a chiasm (a literary pattern shaped like an X). The themes appear in this order:

    • A: Deceivers claim to be the Messiah (13:5–6).

      • B: There are reports of fighting and natural disasters (13:7–8).

        • C: There is persecution of believers (13:9–13).

      • B': The fighting in Judea and resulting suffering begin (13:14–20).

    • A': Deceivers claim to be the Messiah (13:21–23).

Mark 13:1–37

This passage brings to a conclusion the section begun at 11:1. Israel did not produce spiritual fruit (11:12–26; 12:38–40). Its leaders were opposed to God's chosen one, the Christ (11:1–11, 27–33; 12:13–17, 18–27). This would result in judgment and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.

Events

Parallels

Matthew 24:15–25 Luke 21:20–24

Glossary

Abomination of Desolation Antichrist Apocalyptic Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Revelation Jesus Christ Jesus Christ, Teachings of Mark, Gospel of Mount of Olives New Jerusalem Prophecy Second Letter to the Thessalonians Sign Tribulation

Topics

God: Creator Jerusalem: Destruction of, Foretold by Jesus Jesus, the Christ: Second Coming of Watchfulness: General Scriptures Concerning