Advent · First Sunday in Advent · Year B

Mark 13:24-37

Signs of the End of the Age

November 29, 2026

The Opening of the Sixth Seal, Francis Danby — **The Opening of the Sixth Seal**, Francis Danby, c. 1828National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin · public domain

LSB Three-Year Lectionary

GospelMark 11:1-10 Alt. GospelMark 13:24-37

Epistle1 Cor. 1:3-9

Old TestamentIsa. 64:1-9

PsalterPs. 80:1-7

Overview & Insights

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Mark 13:31)

The extensive discourse of chapter 13, known as the Olivet Discourse, develops the basic theme in passion week thus far: the fruitlessness (fig tree) and guilt (clearing of the temple) of the Jewish leadership, leading to the curse upon the nation and the impending judgment. In 11:12–20 the “why” of judgment was presented; now the “what” of judgment occurs: the destruction of the temple and the land. It provides a transition from the conflict between Jesus and the leaders (11:27–12:40) to the final events of passion week on Thursday and Friday (chaps. 14–15). Structure After the introductory section (the discourse flows out of the two questions in v. 4) there are three major sections of the discourse: the prophecy of the destruction (vv. 5–23), the parousia and gathering of the elect (vv. 24–27), and the need for watchfulness in light of the unknown time of the end (vv. 28–37).

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Commentary

Commentary on Mark 13:24-37 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary's lectionary commentary walks through the Little Apocalypse for Advent 1.

Mark 13:24-37 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching commentary on the same Advent 1 text.

Mark 13 Commentary: The Olivet Discourse Enduring Word

David Guzik's verse by verse walk through the whole Olivet Discourse chapter.

Mark 13 Commentary Precept Austin

A verse by verse evangelical commentary with cross references for the chapter.

Background & Word Study

Mark 13:24 Commentaries Bible Hub

An aggregator of classic commentaries keyed to this exact verse.

Digging Deeper into Scripture: Mark 13:24-37 CPH Blog

Concordia Publishing House's study notes on the appointed Advent 1 text.

The Church Fathers

Mark 13:24 Catena Bible

Patristic comment on the darkened sun and moon, keyed to this verse.

Sermons & Reflections

Gospel: Mark 13:24-37 (Advent 1: Series B) 1517.org

A Lutheran preaching reflection written directly for this Advent 1 reading.

Worship & Prayers

Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying - Hymn Feature LCMS Resources

A hymn feature on the classic watchfulness chorale that pairs with this text's call to stay awake.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

A curated image index for this reading across the history of Christian art.

Last Judgment (Padua fresco) Web Gallery of Art

Giotto's fresco depicts the same end-times imagery of cosmic judgment described in this text.

Study Hub

Barnes' Notes on Mark 13 StudyLight

Classic verse-by-verse notes on the little apocalypse and the call to keep watch.

Questions preachers ask

Why does Advent begin with the end of the age?

Mark 13 turns the church's eyes to Christ's return before it turns to his birth: the Son of Man will come on the clouds, and so the watchword of the season is “Stay awake.” Advent waits for both comings at once.

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