Mark 13:5 - Meaning and Application

In reply to their question, our Lord Jesus turns their minds away from curiosity and toward duty. He does not tell them the times and seasons, because the Father has kept those in his own authority, and it was not for them to know. Instead, he gives the warnings they needed about what would soon happen.

First, they must watch out so they are not fooled by deceivers and imposters who would soon appear (Mark 13:5, Mark 13:6). “Take care that no one deceives you,” he says. Once they had found the true Messiah, they must not lose him again among a crowd of pretenders. Many would come in his name, not meaning they came as Jesus’ followers, but claiming, “I am the Christ,” and taking the honor that belongs to him alone.

After the Jews rejected the true Christ, they were misled by many false christs, though this had not happened before. Those false christs deceived many, so Jesus says, “Take care that no one deceives you.” When many people are deceived, we should be stirred up to examine ourselves all the more closely.

Second, they must not be shaken by the reports of wars that would alarm them (Mark 13:7, Mark 13:8). Sin brought wars into the world, and wars come from human desires. At some times, nations are more torn apart and wasted by war than at others, and that time would now come. Christ was born when there was peace, but soon after he left the world there were widespread wars. Nation would rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

What would become of those who were to preach the gospel to every nation? Even in the clash of arms, the voice of law is not heard. Yet Jesus says, “Do not be troubled.” Let it not surprise them, because they had been warned to expect it, and such things must happen as part of God’s plan. Let it not terrify them, as if their work were ruined or their safety gone. They had no part in these quarrels, so they did not need to fear the damage they might bring.

They should also not think these wars meant the world was about to end. “The end is not yet,” he says (Mark 13:7). There would be other events between those wars and the final end of all things. Those events were meant to prepare them, not to speed the end ahead of time. Nor should they think that God had already used his worst judgments. He had more arrows in his quiver, and they would be aimed at persecutors. Wars would only be the beginning of sorrows.

Along with wars, there would be earthquakes in many places, burying large numbers of people under the ruins of their own houses. There would also be famines, and many poor people would die for lack of bread, along with troubles and unrest. There would be no peace for those who went out or came in. The world would be full of trouble, but his disciples must not be troubled. When danger and fear were everywhere, they were still to keep calm in him.

Third, they must take care not to be drawn away from Christ or from their duty because of the suffering they would face for his sake. Jesus says again, “Take care of yourselves” (Mark 13:9). Even if they escaped the sword of war better than some of their neighbors, because they were not caught up in public quarrels, they would still not be safe. They would be exposed to the sword of justice more than others, and the different parties would unite against them.

They must not fool themselves with hopes of outward comfort or a mere earthly kingdom. It is through many troubles that they must enter the kingdom of God. They must also be careful not to bring needless trouble on themselves. What they say and do will be watched closely.

They should expect to be hated by all people. That alone is a heavy burden, because hate brings constant pain, and malicious people are always ready to do harm. They would not be hated because they had done wrong, but because of Christ’s name. They were called by his name, called on his name, preached his name, and worked miracles in his name. The world hated them because he loved them.

Even their own relatives would betray them, those closest to them and the ones they would naturally trust for protection. They would inform against them and bring charges against them. A father with a Christian child might lose all natural affection, swallowed up by stubborn zeal, and hand over his own child to persecutors, as if the child were worshiping false gods (Deuteronomy 13:6-10).

Their church rulers would also punish them with religious penalties. They would be handed over to the great Sanhedrin at Jerusalem and to smaller courts in other cities, and they would be beaten in the synagogues with forty lashes at a time, as though they were offenders against the law read there. It is no new thing for the church’s weapons, through the unfaithfulness of its officers, to be turned against some of its best friends.

Governors and kings would also use their power against them. Since the Jews could not put them to death by themselves, they would stir up the Roman authorities, as they had done with Herod against James and Peter, and would have them killed as enemies of the empire. They must stand firm even to the shedding of blood.

Still, they had comfort in the middle of these severe troubles. The work they were called to would go on and succeed despite all the opposition they faced (Mark 13:10). The gospel would be preached among all nations, and before Jerusalem was destroyed its message would go out through all the earth, not only among the Jews, but to all nations. This is comfort for those who suffer for the gospel. They may be crushed and pushed down, but the gospel cannot be crushed. It will hold its ground and win the victory.

Their suffering would not hinder their work. Instead, it would help spread it. “Being brought before governors and kings” would be “for a testimony” to them, meaning it would give them a chance to preach the gospel to rulers who would otherwise never hear them (Mark 13:9). This is how Paul was brought before Felix, Festus, Agrippa, and Nero, and each hearing became a witness about Christ and his gospel.

Or, as the passage can also be read, it would be a testimony against them, against both the judges and the accusers. They were pressing charges with great anger, yet the prisoners would be shown, after examination, to be innocent and even good. The gospel is a testimony to us about Christ and heaven. If we receive it, it becomes a testimony for us, since it justifies us, that is, counts us right before God, and saves us. If we reject it, it will stand against us on the last day.

When they were brought before kings and governors for Christ’s sake, they would also receive special help from heaven to defend Christ and themselves (Mark 13:11). They were told not to worry ahead of time about what to say, and not to fret about how to win the favor of great men. Their cause was just and glorious, so it did not need carefully polished speeches. Whatever was given to them in that hour, whatever was put into their minds and mouths on the spot, that they were to speak, without fear, because it was not really they who spoke by their own wisdom and strength, but the Holy Spirit.

Those whom Christ calls to speak for him will also be supplied with what they need. When we are serving Christ, we can trust the help of the Spirit of Christ.

At last, heaven would make up for everything. They would face much hardship on the way, but they were to take courage. Their battle would end, their witness would be completed, and “the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13). Perseverance wins the crown. The salvation promised here is more than rescue from trouble. It is everlasting blessedness, a rich reward for all their service and suffering. All of this is also taught in Matthew 10:17 and following.