Mark 13

For the whole chapter see notes on Matt. xxiv.

1. And as He went out of the Temple. The interview with “the Greeks who came up to worship at the feast,” and our Lord’s solemn words that followed it, occurred after the incident of the widow’s mite (xii. 41-43; John xii. 20-36).

see what manner of stones. Many of the stones used in the Temple were, according to Josephus (Wars, v. 5, § 6), 40 cubits, or, according to the Talmud, 45 cubits long, and of white marble. There are stones still remaining in the wall which measure 24 and 30 feet (Robinson’s Bib. Res. i. 423). See Macalister, A Century of Excavation in Palestine, p. 107.

3. Peter and James and John and Andrew. Mark alone gives the names of the disciples who asked this question.

against them. Rather, “unto them,” as R.V.

11 but the Holy Ghost. Comp. Matt. x. 18-20, and note.

14 abomination of desolation. A heathen idol and altar in the Temple (cf. 1 Macc. i. 54).

standing where it ought not. See Dan. ix. 27; xi. 31.

32 neither the Son. In our Lord’s person the Divine and human natures were both complete. His human soul was capable of growth in wisdom (Luke ii. 52), susceptible of human emotions (John xi. 35), and dependent upon Divine influence (John iii. 34; Heb. ix. 14), and therefore upon the exercise of prayer (i. 35). His manhood was necessarily finite and progressive in knowledge; and, as “Son” (Heb. v. 5, 8) He had put Himself in subjection, or, in the language of the apostle Paul, had “emptied Himself” (Phil. ii. 7), and therefore might not have had this fact communicated to Him.

34-37. These concluding verses differ from the close of the discourse as given by Matthew and Luke; being a summary of the parables which Matthew relates, with one or two particulars added.

35 at even, etc. See note on Matt. xiv. 25.