Advent Season · Year B
First Sunday of Advent
4th Sunday before Christmas · November 29, 2026
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
Mark 13:24-37 Working Preacher
A Luther Seminary reading of Mark's little apocalypse that frames the coming of the Son of Man as Advent hope rather than doomsday fear.
Mark 13:24-37 Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary that treats Advent as active, wakeful waiting on servants who keep working until the master returns.
Keep Awake SALT Project
An ecumenical commentary that sets Mark's farewell discourse against the shadows of war and grief where Advent light is kindled.
First Sunday of Advent, Cycle B Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
A Catholic reflection with background and questions on watchfulness for the Son of Man's return.
Bearing Witness Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church
An Episcopal sermon that hears Jesus' call to keep watch as an invitation to bear faithful witness in anxious times.
Mark 13 Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical commentary walking through the Olivet Discourse and the charge to watch.
Background & Word Study
Images of Hope, Suffering, and Vigilance Left Behind and Loving It
A close working translation of the Greek of Mark 13:24-37 with grammatical notes that surface the passage's apocalyptic vocabulary.
The 'coming' of Jesus in Mark 13 Psephizo · Ian Paul
Argues from the text that this coming concerns the fall of the temple and vindication rather than the end of the world.
Overview: Mark BibleProject
An animated overview of Mark's structure and portrait of Jesus that situates chapter 13 within the whole Gospel.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
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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