Time after Pentecost · Proper 29 (Last Sunday of the Church Year / Christ the King) · Year B
Mark 13:24-37
Signs of the End of the Age
November 21, 2027
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
Working Preacher: Commentary on Mark 13:24-37 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary commentary on the coming of the Son of Man and the call to watch.
Enduring Word: Mark 13 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: Mark 13 Commentary Precept Austin
Study page gathering many conservative commentators on Mark 13.
BibleHub: Commentaries on Mark 13:24 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the darkening of the sun and moon.
StudyLight: Mark 13 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries on Mark 13 gathered on one passage page.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Mark Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to Mark's structure and themes.
BibleProject: Gospel of Mark Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the whole Gospel of Mark's design and message.
BibleHub: Mark 13 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek-English interlinear for word-level study of Mark 13.
Worship & Prayers
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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