Mark 13
PNTMark 13:1
A Day of Controversy SUMMARY OF MARK 12: The Vineyard and the Wicked Husbandmen. Prophecy of the Calling of the Gentiles. The Herodians and Pharisees. Tribute to Caesar. The Sadducees and the Resurrection. Which Is the Greatest Commandment?. The Son of David, David’s Lord. Beware of the Scribes. The Widow’s Mite. He began to speak unto them ny parables. A series of parables, given more fully by Matthew, outlining the sins and fate of the stubborn Jewish nation. A [certain] man planted a vineyard. For notes on this parable, see Matthew 21:33-46. Compare Lu 20:9-19.
Mark 13:13
They send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians. For notes on the effort to entrap Jesus on the matter of tribute to Caesar, see Matthew 22:15-22. Compare Lu 20:20-26.
Mark 13:18
Then come unto him the Sadducees. For notes on this interview with the Sadducees, see Matthew 22:23-33. Compare Lu 20:27-40.
Mark 13:28
One of the scribes came. See notes on Matthew 22:34-40. Matthew adds that the scribe asked his question, “tempting him” (Matthew 22:35); that is, “testing him”.
Mark 13:34
Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. This commendation, not given by Matthew, is given because the scribe had declared that outward obedience amounted to nothing unless the heart was right. Pharisaism consisted of forms and paid little attention to love, mercy, and purity of heart. Alford says: ``This man had hold of that principle in which law and gospel are one. He stood, as it were, at the door of the kingdom of God. He only wanted (but the want was indeed a serious one) repentance and faith to be “within” it. The Lord shows us here, that even outside his flock, those who can answer discreetly, who have knowledge of the “spirit” of the great command of law and gospel, are nearer to being of his flock than the formalists; but then, as Bengel adds, “If thou art not far off, enter; otherwise it were better than thou wert far off”.''
Mark 13:35
How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David? See notes on Matthew 22:41-46.
Mark 13:37
The common people heard him gladly. Mark adds to Matthew’s account (Matthew 22:41-46). Not the Pharisees, scribes, Sadducees or rulers, but the common people, of whom the Pharisees were wont to say, “This people who know not the law and are cursed” (John 7:49). We have many hints of the favor with which Christ was regarded by the people.