Mark 13:1-8

(1) Key words: these things

13:4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that all these things are about to take place?”

(NET) Both references to these things are plural, so more than the temple’s destruction is in view. The question may presuppose that such a catastrophe signals the end.

(BKC) The disciples’ question, perhaps voiced by Peter, is expressed in two parts: (a) When will these things (destruction of the temple [13:2] and other future events [note the pl.]) happen, and (b) What will be the sign that they (lit., “these things”) are all about to be fulfilled? The verb “fulfilled” (synteleisthai, “be accomplished”) denotes the final consummation, the end of the present Age (cf. v. 7; Matt. 24:3).

Having only the perspective of Old Testament prophecy (e.g., Zech. 14), the disciples saw no long interval between the temple’s destruction and the end-time events climaxing in the coming of the Son of Man. They assumed that the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple were some of the events at the end of the present Age and would inaugurate the messianic kingdom. They wanted to know when this would happen and what visible sign would indicate that fulfillment was about to take place.

(2) Key words: sign

Jesus did not answer according to what the disciples had asked, "What will be the sign..." Instead, he gave them warning and told them to watch out twice in v.5,9. In v.5, He warned them about being deceived v.5,6. In v.9, He warned them about persecution v.9-13. 

(PNTC) ...the “signs” mentioned in vv. 6–13 indicate the opposite of what one would expect—that the end is not yet. The disciples—and believers since—want to know the future, but Jesus directs them unflinchingly to the present: “ ‘Watch out that no one deceives you.’ ” Beginning in v. 5 and continuing throughout the chapter, there is a running admonition against future speculation at the expense of present obedience.

(BKC) Yet these (“these things”) are just the (lit., “a”) beginning of birth pains. The words “birth pains,” the sharp pains preceding childbirth, picture divine judgment... They refer to the period of intense suffering preceding the birth of the new Age, the messianic kingdom.

This emphasis—“the end is still to come” (Mark 13:7d) and “these [things] are the beginning of birth pains” (v. 8c)—suggests that an extended period of time will precede “the end.” Each generation will have its own wars and natural disasters. Yet all these events fall within God’s purposes. Human history is heading toward the birth of the new Messianic Age.

(3) Summary: In v.6, the word, "many," was repeated twice. Jesus wanted us to watch out for deception. Many people would be misled, but He did not want His disciples who were warned ahead of time to fall.

Also in v.7-8, the ideas of "many" were repeated with these terms, " "nation against nation," and "kingdom against kingdom," "earthquakes in various places," "famines (plural)" and "these things."  These gave us a picture of some  world-wide events happening multiple times, and in multiple places. When these things happened, Jews would link with the OT prophecy and thought that the Messiah would come soon. Therefore, they would be deceived more easily when people said they are the Messiah. Jesus told His disciples that these things must happen, but hold on, the time for His coming and then End of the earth was yet to come. 

(4) Reflection: When the disciples wanted to get to know the signs Jesus told them to watch out for deception. Do I put the wrong focus when I am only fascinated about the future events and forget about the watchfulness in my daily life? What are the common deceptions in today's world? Materialism? Hedonism? Psychology? Any religious deception? People claim that they are Messiah? In China and NewYork city, there is a cult called, "The Church of Almighty God," also known as "Eastern Lightning," and their founder claimed to be the Messiah. Watch out for these. People from our church were invited to join their meetings online. 

Audrey