Mark 13:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Indeed, if God had not limited the duration of the trouble, no one would survive; but for the sake of the elect, those whom he has chosen, he has limited it.

Berean Standard Bible:

If the Lord had not cut short those days, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has cut them short.

American Standard Version:

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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} except^{G1508} that the Lord^{G2962} had shortened^{G2856} those days^{G2250}, no^{{G3756}{G3956}} flesh^{G4561} should be^{G302} saved^{G4982}: but^{G235} for^{G1223} the elect's sake^{G1588}, whom^{G3739} he hath chosen^{G1586}, he hath shortened^{G2856} the days^{G2250}.

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Commentary for Mark 13:20

Mark 13:20 is part of the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus speaks to his disciples about the end times and the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This verse specifically addresses the theme of divine intervention in the face of apocalyptic tribulation. Jesus warns that the suffering preceding the end of the age would be so severe that if God did not limit its duration, all of humanity would be doomed. The phrase "no flesh should be saved" reflects the gravity of the situation, indicating a universal threat to human existence.

However, for the sake of the "elect," those who have been chosen by God, the Lord intervenes to "shorten the days" of this tribulation. The concept of the elect is rooted in both Old Testament theology, where Israel is often referred to as God's chosen people, and in the New Testament's extension of this idea to include the Christian church. The verse thus carries a message of hope for believers, assuring them that despite the severity of the end times, God's sovereignty and care for His people will ultimately limit their suffering.

Historically, this verse has been interpreted in various ways, from a literal future tribulation to the historical context of the first century, particularly the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Romans, which was a catastrophic event for the Jewish people. The early Christian community may have seen this prophecy as being fulfilled in that event, with God's hand protecting the fledgling church. In broader terms, Mark 13:20 speaks to the Christian belief in God's providential care and the assurance that, despite the chaos and tribulations of the world, God's plan will ultimately prevail, and His people will be preserved through His mercy and power.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G1508
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰ μή
   Transliteration: ei mḗ
   Pronunciation: i may
   Description: from εἰ and μή; if not:--but, except (that), if not, more than, save (only) that, saving, till.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2962
   There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κύριος
   Transliteration: kýrios
   Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
   Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2856
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κολοβόω
   Transliteration: kolobóō
   Pronunciation: kol-ob-o'-o
   Description: from a derivative of the base of κολάζω; to dock, i.e. (figuratively) abridge:--shorten.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2250
   There are 366 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἡμέρα
   Transliteration: hēméra
   Pronunciation: hay-mer'-ah
   Description: feminine (with ὥρα implied) of a derivative of (to sit; akin to the base of ἑδραῖος) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):--age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3956
   There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πᾶς
   Transliteration: pâs
   Pronunciation: pas
   Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
   
8. Strong's Number: G4561
   There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σάρξ
   Transliteration: sárx
   Pronunciation: sarx
   Description: probably from the base of σαρόω; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).
   
9. Strong's Number: G302
   There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄν
   Transliteration: án
   Pronunciation: an
   Description: a primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty:--(what-, where-, wither-, who-)soever. Usually unexpressed except by the subjunctive or potential mood. Also contracted for ἐάν.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4982
    There are 103 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σώζω
    Transliteration: sṓzō
    Pronunciation: sode'-zo
    Description: from a primary (contraction for obsolete , "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):--heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
    
11. Strong's Number: G235
    There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀλλά
    Transliteration: allá
    Pronunciation: al-lah'
    Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1223
    There are 580 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: διά
    Transliteration: diá
    Pronunciation: dee-ah'
    Description: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1588
    There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκλεκτός
    Transliteration: eklektós
    Pronunciation: ek-lek-tos'
    Description: from ἐκλέγομαι; select; by implication, favorite:--chosen, elect.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3739
    There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅς
    Transliteration: hós
    Pronunciation: ho
    Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
    
15. Strong's Number: G1586
    There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκλέγομαι
    Transliteration: eklégomai
    Pronunciation: ek-leg'-om-ahee
    Description: middle voice from ἐκ and λέγω (in its primary sense); to select:--make choice, choose (out), chosen.