Mark 13:34

• The point of this parable is not that the Lord’s return is doubtful or completely unexpected (see Matthew 24:45–51; 25:1–30; Luke 12:36–38; 19:12–27). Rather, it teaches that there will be no warning sign before he comes. The parable uses symbolic language in at least two ways:

  • The master (Greek kurios, “lord” or “master”) represents the Lord Jesus Christ.

  • The servants represent the Christian community.

  However, interpreting the doorkeeper as the apostles or Peter developed later, after the New Testament period.

• at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning: These four times match the Roman division of the night into four watches of about three hours each. They simply mean that the master may return at any time during the night.

These verses repeat a basic warning: Be on your guard and stay alert! … Keep watch! The repetition shows that they needed to stay alert (be watchful and ready).

Just as 13:28–31 returns to the theme of 13:5–23 by speaking about the destruction of Jerusalem, 13:32–37 appears to return to the theme of 13:24–27 by speaking about the coming of the Son of Man.

The section begins with a warning against trying to predict the end time (13:32). This is followed by a warning to stay alert because no one knows when the end will come (13:33).

Jesus then tells a parable (a short teaching story) to show the need to be ready for the Lord’s return (13:34). The application of the parable repeats the warning to stay watchful so that believers will not be found unprepared (13:35–36). The section ends with another call to remain watchful (13:37).

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.