Mark 13:12

Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against [their] parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

Now {G1161} the brother {G80} shall betray {G3860} the brother {G80} to {G1519} death {G2288}, and {G2532} the father {G3962} the son {G5043}; and {G2532} children {G5043} shall rise up {G1881} against {G1909} their parents {G1118}, and {G2532} shall cause {G2289} them {G846} to be put to death {G2289}.

Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will turn against their parents and have them put to death;

Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.

And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child; and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Commentary

Commentary on Mark 13:12 (KJV)

Mark 13:12 is a stark prophetic warning delivered by Jesus Christ as part of the Olivet Discourse, where He outlines signs of the end times and the destruction of the temple. This verse specifically highlights the extreme persecution and societal breakdown that would precede these events, particularly focusing on the chilling reality of familial betrayal.

Context

This verse is nestled within Jesus' extensive prophecy on the Mount of Olives, often referred to as the Olivet Discourse (Mark 13, Matthew 24, Luke 21). Jesus' disciples had asked Him about the timing of the temple's destruction and the signs of His coming and the end of the age. His response describes a period of intense tribulation, false prophets, wars, and famines, culminating in severe persecution for those who follow Him. Verse 12 zeroes in on the most intimate form of betrayal, indicating the profound spiritual and moral decay that would mark these times.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Extreme Persecution: The primary message is the severity of persecution believers will face. It's not just from external authorities, but from within the most trusted circles.
  • Familial Betrayal: This is the most shocking aspect described. Jesus prophesies that even the closest family bonds—brother against brother, father against son, children against parents—will be shattered by animosity towards believers, leading to death. This underscores the intense hatred that would be directed at those who adhere to Christ. This theme is echoed in parallel passages such as Matthew 10:21 and Luke 21:16.
  • Signs of the End Times: This familial division is presented as one of the "birth pains" signaling the approach of the end of the age and Christ's return. It illustrates the profound societal breakdown that will occur when unrighteousness is rampant.
  • Cost of Discipleship: The verse serves as a stark reminder of the potential cost of following Christ. Loyalty to Jesus may supersede even family ties, leading to rejection, betrayal, and even death from those who should be closest.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "betray" is paradidomi (παραδίδωμι), which means "to hand over," "to deliver up," or "to betray." It's the same word used to describe Judas's betrayal of Jesus Himself. This emphasizes a deliberate act of handing someone over to judgment or death, highlighting the severe and intentional nature of the familial treachery described.

Practical Application

Mark 13:12 holds enduring relevance for believers today:

  • Preparation for Opposition: It warns believers to be prepared for opposition, even from unexpected sources. Following Christ may bring division, as Jesus Himself said, "I came not to send peace, but a sword."
  • Faithfulness Amidst Betrayal: The prophecy challenges believers to remain faithful to Christ, even when facing the deepest forms of betrayal. Our ultimate loyalty is to God.
  • Understanding End Times: It helps us understand the nature of the end times, recognizing that increasing spiritual darkness and persecution are signs that point to Christ's eventual return.
  • Reliance on God: In times of intense pressure and personal betrayal, this verse implicitly calls believers to lean entirely on God's strength and comfort, knowing that He is our ultimate refuge.

This verse serves as a sober reminder of the true cost of discipleship and the challenging realities that may accompany unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 10:21

    And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against [their] parents, and cause them to be put to death.

  • Luke 12:52

    For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

  • Luke 12:53

    The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

  • Luke 21:16

    And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and [some] of you shall they cause to be put to death.

  • Micah 7:4

    The best of them [is] as a brier: the most upright [is sharper] than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen [and] thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.

  • Micah 7:6

    For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies [are] the men of his own house.

  • Ezekiel 38:21

    And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother.
← Back