Mark 13:14-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 13:15

Let him that is on the house-top ( ἐπὶ τοῦ δώματος ) not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house. The roofs of the houses were flat, with frequently a little "dome" ( δῶμα ) in the center. The people lived very much upon them; and the stairs were outside, so that a person wishing to enter the house must first descend by these outer stairs. The words, therefore, mean that he must flee suddenly, if he would save his life, even though he might lose his goods, he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 13:16

And let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloke ( τὸ ἱμάτιον αὐτοῦ ). This was the outer garment or pallium. They who worked in the field were accustomed to leave their cloak and their tunic at home; so that, half-stripped, they might be more free to labor. Therefore our Lord warns them that in this impending destruction, so suddenly would it come, they must be ready to fly just as they were. It was the direction given to Lot, "Escape for thy life; look not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 13:17

But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! Women in this condition would be specially objects of pity, for they would be more exposed to danger. The words, "Woe to them ( οὐαι )!" are an exclamation of pity, as, though it was said, "Alas! for them." Josephus ( Mark 7:8 ) mentions that some mothers, constrained by hunger during the siege, devoured their own infants! read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 13:18

And pray ye that it be not in the winter . According to the best authorities, "your flight" ( ἡ φυγὴ ὑμῶν ) is omitted, but the meaning remains very much the same. St. Matthew ( Matthew 24:20 ) adds, "neither on a sabbath." But this would be comparatively of little interest to those to whom St. Mark was writing. Our Lord thus specifies the winter, because at that season, on account of the cold and snow, flight would be attended with special difficulty and hardship, and would be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 13:19

For those days shall be tribulation, such as there hath not been the like from the beginning of the creation. These expressions are very remarkable. To begin with, the tribulation would be so unexampled and so severe that the days themselves would be called "tribulation." They would be known ever after as "the tribulation.'" There never had been anything like them, and there never would be again. Neither the Deluge, nor the destruction of the cities of the plain, nor the drowning of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 13:20

And except the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he chose, he shortened the days . St. Matthew's record ( Matthew 24:22 ) differs from that of St. Mark in the omission of the words "the Lord," and the clause "whom he chose." If the time of the siege of Jerusalem had lasted much longer, not one of the nation could have survived; all would have perished by war, or famine, or pestilence. The Romans raged against the Jews as an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 13:21-22

And then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ; or, Lo, there, believe it not; for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets . Josephus mentions one Simon of Gerasa, who, pretending to be a deliverer of the people from the Romans, gathered around him a crowd of followers, and gained admission into Jerusalem, and harassed the Jews. In like manner, Eleazar and John, leaders of the Zealots, gained admission into the holy place, under pretense of defending the city, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 13:23

But take ye heed ( ὑμεῖς δὲ βλέπετε ). The "ye" is here emphatic. The disciples were around him, hanging upon his lips. But his admonition is meant for Christians everywhere, even to the end of the world. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 13:15

On the house-top - See the notes at Matthew 9:1-8. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 13:14-20

Mark 13:14-20. When ye shall see the abomination, &c. Our Lord, having foretold both the more remote and more immediate signs of the end of the Jewish economy, proceeds to describe the siege and destruction of Jerusalem. The abomination which caused the desolation, whereof Daniel prophesied, (Daniel 9:27,) signifies the Roman armies, with their standards, whereon the images of their idols were painted; which armies were an abomination to the Jews, on account of their idolatry, and... read more

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