Mark 13

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple

1As Jesus was coming out from the temple courts, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2Jesus 1answered him, “Do yoʋ see these great buildings? Not one stone will be 2left upon another; all of them will be torn down.”

Signs of the End of the Age

3Later, as Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, across from the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be fulfilled?” 5Jesus began to say to them 3in response, “Make sure no one leads you astray. 64For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and will lead many astray. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be 5alarmed, for these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 8For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, along with famines 6and riots. These are the 7beginnings of the labor pains.

9“You must watch out for 8yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in 9synagogues. For my sake you will even be 10set before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11When they lead you away and hand you over, do not be anxious beforehand about what you should 11say. Do not give it much thought, but say whatever is given to you in that hour, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12Brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death. 13You will be hated by all because of my name, but he who endures to the end will be saved.

The Great Tribulation

14“When you see the abomination of 12desolation, which was spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing where it should not be” (let the reader understand), “then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 15He who is on the housetop must not come down 13into his house or go inside to get anything out of his house. 16And he who is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 17Woe to those who are with child and to those who are nursing infants in those days! 18Pray that 14your flight will not happen in winter. 19For those days will be a time of tribulation unlike any other from the beginning of God's creation until now, and it will never be equaled again. 20If the Lord had not cut those days short, no flesh would be saved. But for the sake of the chosen, whom he has selected, he has cut those days short. 21If anyone says to you at that time, ‘Behold, here is the 15Christ!’ or, ‘Behold, there he is!’ do not believe him. 22For false christs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, 16even the chosen. 23So you must watch out! 17Behold, I have told you everything in advance.

The Coming of the Son of Man

24“But in those days, after that time of tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light. 25The stars 18of heaven will be falling, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26Then people will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27And he will send 19his angels and gather together 20his chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

28“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and put out leaves, 21you know that summer is near. 29So also, when you see these things taking place, know that he is near, at the very gates. 30Truly I say to you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will 22certainly not pass away.

Keep Watch

32“No one knows about that day 23or hour, not even the angels in heaven or the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard; stay alert 24and pray! For you do not know when the time is coming. 34It is like a man away on a journey: When he leaves his house and gives authority to his servants, assigning to each one his task, he also commands the doorkeeper to keep watch. 35Therefore keep watch, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. 36Otherwise, he may come suddenly and find you sleeping. 37What I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!”