The Gospel of Mark, Chapter 13
You can listen to Mark 13 with us below.You can also read the passage in the New Living Translation here.
“As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.”
Jesus replied, “Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?”
Jesus replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.
“When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. For the Good News must first be preached to all nations. But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
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. 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. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!””
Thank you for joining us in listening to Mark 13! You can also find a written copy of Mark 13 in the NLT here.
Below are some questions that made us think. Feel free to journal your answers to one or all of them!
Discussion Questions
1. Mark 13 begins with one of Jesus' disciples admiring the temple. Jesus told him that the temple would be torn down completely—not one stone would be left on another! When Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked when this would happen and what the signs of it would be, Jesus no longer specifically addressed the temple. Instead, he talked about the Son of Man (His!) return. Jesus says that EVERYTHING will be destroyed. Both heaven and earth will pass away.
-How does it make you feel that both heaven and earth will pass away?
-How does this change or not change the way you view your purpose in life?
-What will last forever?
2. Throughout His ministry, Jesus confronted those whose religion was superficial and called them to live for God—not honor or wealth. In 2 Peter 3:10-12, the apostle Peter repeats some of the truths we heard in Mark 13:
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming."
-How would you answer Peter's question? "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?"
-Why is it tempting to live for things that are not going to last?
3. We learn in this chapter that only the Father knows when Jesus is going to return. Jesus says that this should make us even more faithful with the work God has given us to do! We don't want to be "sleeping" when Jesus returns!
- What distracts us or makes it difficult to "stay awake" spiritually? When do you "fall asleep" to living for God?
4. Jesus told His disciples (then everyone in verse 37) to "watch" and "be on guard" multiple times in this chapter.
-What does Jesus say to watch for and be on guard against?
-There will be false prophets who say they are the Messiah. How will we know when Jesus actually returns (see verses 24-27)?
-Why do you or don't you want Jesus to come back soon?
5. In this passage, Jesus told the disciples what some of the signs of the end times and His return will be, There will be wars, natural disasters, and betrayal within families. Some of these signs are like birth pains.
-Which of these signs do you see in our world right now?
-Why do you think Jesus describes these signs as birth pains? What does this tell you about the signs?
