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Commentary on Mark 13 verses 14–23
The Jews, in rebelling against the Romans, and in persecuting the Christians, were hastening to their own ruin apace, both efficiently and meritoriously, were setting both God and man against them; see Th1 2:15. Now here we have a prediction of that ruin which came upon them within less than forty years after this: we had it before, Mat 24:15, etc. Observe,
I. What is here foretold concerning it.
1.That the Roman armies should make a descent upon Judea, and invest Jerusalem, the holy city. These were the abomination of desolation, which the Jews did abominate, and by which they should be made desolate. The country of thine enemy is called the land which thou abhorrest, Isa 7:16. Therefore it was an abomination, because it brought with it nothing but desolation. They had rejected Christ as an abomination, who would have been their salvation; and now God brought upon them an abomination that would be their desolation, thus spoken of by Daniel the prophet (Dan 9:27), as that by which this sacrifice and offering should be made to cease. This army stood where it ought not, in and about the holy city, which the heathen ought not to have approached, nor would have been suffered to approach, if Jerusalem had not first profaned the crown of their holiness. This the church complains of, Lam 1:10, The heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into the congregation; but sin made the breach, at which the glory went out, and the abomination of desolation broke in, and stood where it ought not. Now, let him that readeth this, understand it, and endeavor to take it right. Prophecies should not be too plain, and yet intelligible to those that search them; and they are best understood by comparing them first with one another, and at last with the event.
2.That when the Roman army should come into the country, there would be no safety any where but by quitting the country, and that with all possible expedition. It will be in vain to fight, the enemies will be too hard for them; in vain to abscond, the enemies will find them out; and in vain to capitulate, the enemies will give them no quarter; a man cannot have so much as his life given him for a prey, but by fleeing to the mountains out of Judea; and let him take the first alarm, and make the best of his way. If he be on the house-top, trying from thence to discover the motions of the enemy, and spies them coming, let him not go down, to take any thing out of the house, for it will occasion his losing of time, which is more precious than his best goods, and will but encumber him, and embarrass his flight. If he be in the field, and there discover the approach of the enemy, let him get away as he is, and not turn back again, to take up his garment, Mar 13:16. If he can save his life, let him reckon it is a good bargain, though he can save nothing else, and be thankful to God, that, though he is cut short, he is not cut off.
3.That it would go very hard at that time with poor mothers and nurses (Mar 13:17); "Woe to them that are with child, that dare not go into strange places, that cannot shift for themselves, nor make haste as others can. And woe to them that give suck, that know not how either to leave the tender infants behind them, or to carry them along with them." Such is the vanity of the creature, that the time may often be, when the greatest comforts may prove the greatest burthens. It would likewise be very uncomfortable, if they should be forced to flee in the winter (Mar 13:18), when the weather and ways were bad, when the roads would be scarcely passable, especially in the mountains to which they must flee. If there be no remedy but that trouble must come, yet we may desire and pray that, if it be God's will, the circumstances of it may be so ordered as to be a mitigation of the trouble; and when things are bad, we ought to consider they might have been worse. It is bad to be forced to flee, but it would have been worse if it had been in the winter.
4.That throughout all the country of the Jews, there should be such destruction and desolation made, as could not be paralleled in any history (Mar 13:19); In those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of time; that is, of the creation which God created, for time and the creation are of equal date, unto this day, neither shall be to the end of time; such a complication of miseries, and of such continuance. The destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans was very terrible, but this exceeded it. It threatened a universal slaughter of all the people of the Jews; so barbarously did they devour one another, and the Romans devour them all, that, if their wars had continued a little longer, no flesh could have been saved, not one Jew could have been left alive; but in the midst of wrath God remembered mercy; and, (1.) He shortened the days; he let fall his controversy before he had made a full end. As a church and nation the ruin was complete, but many particular persons had their lives given them for a prey, by the storm's subsiding when it did. 2. It was for the elects' sake that those days were shortened; many among them fared the better for the sake of the few among them that believed in Christ, and were faithful to him. There was a promise, that a remnant should be saved (Isa 10:22), and that God would not, for his servants' sakes, destroy them all (Isa 65:8); and these promises must be fulfilled. God's own elect cry day and night to him, and their prayers must be answered, Luk 18:7.
II. What directions are given to the disciples with reference to it.
1.They must shift for the safety of their lives; "When you see the country invaded, and the city invested, flatter not yourselves with thoughts that the enemy will retire, or that you may be able to make your part good with them; but, without further deliberation or delay, let them that are in Judea, flee to the mountains, Mar 13:14. Meddle not with the strife that belongs not to you; let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth, but do you go out of the ship when you see it sinking, that you die not the death of the uncircumcised in heart."
2.They must provide for the safety of their souls; "Seducers will be busy at that time, for they love to fish in troubled waters, and therefore then you must double your guard; then, if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or, Lo, he is there, you know he is in heaven, and will come again at the end of time, to judge the world, and therefore believe them not; having received Christ, be not drawn into the snares of any antichrist; for false Christs, and false prophets, shall arise," Mar 13:22. When the gospel kingdom was in the setting up, Satan mustered all his force, to oppose it, and made use of all his wiles; and God permitted it, for the trial of sincerity of some, and the discovery of the hypocrisy of others, and the confusion of those who rejected Christ, when he was offered to them. False Christs shall rise, and false prophets that shall preach them up; or such, as, though they pretend not to be Christs, set up for prophets, and undertake to foretel things to come, and they shall show signs and lying wonders; so early did the mystery of iniquity begin to work, Th2 2:7. They shall seduce, if it were possible, the very elect; so plausible shall their pretences be, and so industrious shall they be to impose upon people, that they shall drawn away many that were forward and zealous professors of religion, many that were very likely to have persevered; for nothing will be effectual to secure men but that foundation of God which stands immovably sure, The Lord knoweth them that are his, who shall be preserved when the faith of some is overthrown, Ti2 2:18, Ti2 2:19. They shall seduce, if it were possible, the very elect; but it is not possible to seduce them; the election shall obtain, whoever are blinded, Rom 11:7. But, in consideration hereof, let the disciples be cautious whom they give credit to (Mar 13:23); But take ye heed. Christ knew that they were of the elect, who could not possibly be seduced, and yet he said to them, Take heed. An assurance of persevering, and cautions against apostasy, will very well consist with each other. Though Christ said to them, Take heed, it doth not therefore follow, that their perseverance was doubtful, for they were kept by the power of God; and though their perseverance was secured, yet it doth not therefore follow, that this caution was needless, because they must be kept in the use of proper means. God will keep them, but they must keep themselves. "I have foretold you all things; have foretold you of this danger, that, being fore-warned, you may be fore-armed; I have foretold all things which you needed to have foretold to you, and therefore take heed of hearkening to such as pretend to be prophets, and to foretel more than I have foretold." The sufficiency of the scripture is good argument against listening to such as pretend to inspiration.
For our flight is to the mountains, that he who has mounted to the heights of virtue may not go down to the depths of sin.
Pray that your flight may not be in the winter, or on the sabbath day, that is, that the fruit of our work may not be ended with the end of time; for fruit comes to an end in the winter and time in the sabbath.
But the tribulation shall be great, and the days short, for the sake of the elect, lest the evil of this time should change their understanding.
(ubi sup.) When we are challenged to understand what is said, we may conclude that it is mystical. But it may either be said simply of Antichrist, or of the statue of Cæsar, which Pilate put into the temple, or of the equestrian statue of Adrian, which for a long time stood in the holy of holies itself. An idol is also called abomination according to the Old Testament, and he has added of desolation, because it was placed in the temple when desolate and deserted.
(ubi sup.) It is on record that this was literally fulfilled, when on the approach of the war with Rome and the extermination of the Jewish people, all the Christians who were in that province, warned by the prophecy, fled far away, as Church history relates, and retiring beyond Jordan, remained for a time in the city of Pella under the protection of Agrippa, the king of the Jews, of whom mention is made in the Acts, and who with that part of the Jews, who chose to obey him, always continued subject to the Roman empire.
(ubi sup.) That is, they whose wombs or whose hands, overladen with the burden of children, in no small measure impede their forced flight.
(ubi sup.) The only refuge in such evils is, that God who gives strength to suffer, should abridge the power of inflicting. Wherefore there follows: And except that the Lord had shortened those days.
(ubi sup.) Or else; these words, In those days shall be affliction, properly agree with the times of Antichrist, when not only tortures more frequent, and more painful than before are to be heaped on the faithful, but also, what is more terrible, the working of miracles shall accompany those who inflict torments. But in proportion as this tribulation shall be greater than those which preceded, by so much shall it be shorter. For it is believed, that during three years and a half, as far as may be conjectured from the prophecy of Daniel and the Revelations of John, the Church is to be attacked. In a spiritual sense, however, when we see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not, that is, heresies and crimes reigning amongst them, who appear to be consecrated by the heavenly mysteries, then whosoever of us remain in Judæa, that is, in the confession of the true faith, ought to mount the higher in virtue, the more men we see following the broad paths of vice.
(ubi sup.) Then let him who is on the house-top, that is, whose mind rises above carnal deeds, and who lives spiritually, as it were in the free air, not come down to the base acts of his former conversation, nor seek again those things which he had left, the desires of the world or the flesh. For our house either means this world, or that in which we live, our own flesh.
(ubi sup.) But if we are to understand it of the consummation of the world, He commands that our faith and love for Christ should not grow cold, and that we should not grow lazy and cold in the work of God, by taking a sabbath from virtue.
Or he means by the abomination of desolation, the entrance of enemies into the city by violence.
And well does he say, Who are in Judæa, for the Apostles were no longer in Judæa, but before the battle had been driven from Jerusalem.
But it seems to me, that in these words He foretells the eating of children, for when afflicted by famine and pestilence, they laid hands on their children.
That is, lest they who wish to fly should be impeded by the difficulties of the season. And He fitly gives the cause for so great a necessity for flight; saying, For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
That is, if the Roman war had not been soon finished, no flesh should be saved; that is, no Jew should have escaped; but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, that is, for the sake of the believing Jews, or who were hereafter to believe, He hath shortened the days, that is, the war was soon finished, for God foresaw that many Jews would believe after the destruction of the city; for which reason He would not suffer the whole race to be utterly destroyed.
We must also avoid sin with fervour, and not coldly and quietly.
(non occ.) After speaking of the things which were to happen before the destruction of the city, the Lord now foretells those which happened about the destruction itself of the city, saying, But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand.)
(Non in Gloss. sed ap. Theoph.) Or rather went out of their own accord, being led by the Holy Ghost. It goes on, And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house; for it is a desirable thing to be saved even naked from such a destruction. It goes on: But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days.
(non occ.) Again, after having mentioned this double impediment to flight, which might arise either from the desire of taking away property, or from having children to carry, He touches upon the third obstacle, namely, that coming from the season; saying, And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
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SUMMARY
Mark 13:15, part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, delivers an urgent and uncompromising command for immediate flight for those on the housetop, emphasizing that in the face of impending calamity, there is no time to descend into the house or retrieve any possessions. This instruction underscores the absolute necessity of unhesitating obedience and detachment from worldly goods when divine judgment or severe tribulation is at hand.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Mark 13:15 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is the Imperative Mood of the verbs ("let him... not go down," "neither enter"), which conveys a direct, authoritative, and non-negotiable command. This grammatical choice emphasizes the absolute necessity of immediate action. Imagery is vividly used, painting a clear picture of a person on a housetop, poised for flight, and the forbidden act of descending into the house. This visual helps the audience grasp the extreme urgency. Furthermore, the instruction to "not go down... neither enter... to take any thing out of his house" functions as a form of Hyperbole or Exaggeration to stress the critical nature of the moment. While literally impossible to take nothing if one were to flee, the absolute phrasing underscores that no time whatsoever should be spent on material concerns, even for the most essential items. The "house" itself can be seen as Symbolism for worldly security, comfort, and possessions, which must be abandoned for the sake of spiritual and physical preservation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 13:15 is a profound theological statement on divine warning, human response, and the nature of discipleship in the face of eschatological events. It reveals God's compassionate foresight in providing specific instructions for His people to navigate periods of intense tribulation and judgment. The command to flee without delay transcends a mere physical escape; it embodies a spiritual principle of readiness and detachment. True discipleship demands a willingness to prioritize God's commands and one's eternal well-being over any earthly attachment, even those as fundamental as one's home and possessions. This verse serves as a timeless reminder that when God's warnings are given, whether through prophetic word or unfolding events, the appropriate response is immediate, unhesitating obedience, trusting in His provision and protection above all else. It challenges believers to hold loosely to the things of this world, recognizing that ultimate security and salvation are found only in Him.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Mark 13:15 had a direct historical fulfillment in the Roman siege of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, its principles resonate deeply with believers across all generations. This passage serves as a powerful call to spiritual preparedness and vigilance, reminding us that life's most critical moments often demand immediate, decisive action rooted in faith. It challenges us to examine our attachments: what are we holding onto that might hinder our swift obedience to God's call or our escape from spiritual danger? In an age often characterized by materialism and the pursuit of comfort, Jesus' words urge us to cultivate a radical detachment from worldly possessions, recognizing that our true treasure is not found in what we own, but in our relationship with God and our eternal destiny. The "housetop" can be seen as any position of temporary security or observation from which we are called to move swiftly when God's warnings become clear. This verse encourages us to be spiritually agile, ready to abandon anything that would impede our walk with Christ, always prioritizing His will and our eternal salvation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Was Mark 13:15 a prophecy that has already been fulfilled?
Answer: Yes, Mark 13:15 is widely understood by biblical scholars to be a specific prophecy that found its primary historical fulfillment in the events surrounding the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Jesus' detailed warnings in the Olivet Discourse, including the instruction to flee from Judea when "the abomination of desolation" (likely referring to the Roman armies surrounding Jerusalem, as clarified in Luke 21:20) appeared, provided a clear directive for His followers. Historical accounts, such as those by Eusebius, record that Christians in Jerusalem, heeding these warnings, fled to Pella in the Decapolis region before the siege began, thus escaping the horrific destruction and famine that befell the city. This particular verse emphasizes the extreme urgency of that flight.
Does Mark 13:15 have any relevance for believers today, or is it solely a historical warning?
Answer: While Mark 13:15 had a specific historical fulfillment, its underlying principles offer timeless wisdom and spiritual application for believers today. The core message of urgency in response to divine warning, detachment from material possessions, and prioritizing obedience to God remains profoundly relevant. Spiritually, it calls us to be alert and prepared for the Lord's return (Matthew 24:42), to hold loosely to worldly comforts, and to be ready to abandon anything that hinders our walk with Christ or our response to His call. It reminds us that our true security is not in earthly possessions but in God alone, and that in times of spiritual crisis or divine judgment, swift and unhesitating obedience is paramount.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 13:15, a stark command for immediate flight in the face of impending judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not merely in a physical escape from a historical catastrophe, but in the spiritual refuge and salvation offered by Jesus Himself. As the divine Prophet, Christ forewarns His disciples of coming tribulation, demonstrating His sovereign knowledge and compassionate care for His people. His instruction to flee without delay foreshadows the greater call to flee from the judgment of sin and the wrath to come, finding shelter in Him. Just as those on the housetop were to abandon all earthly security for physical preservation, so too are believers called to forsake all self-reliance and worldly attachments to embrace the ultimate security found in Christ's atoning work (Philippians 3:7-8). He is the true "way of escape" from eternal condemnation (1 Corinthians 10:13), the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), and the one who provides ultimate refuge for those who trust in Him (Hebrews 6:18). Thus, Mark 13:15, in its urgent call to flee, points to the supreme necessity of running to Christ, our only true Deliverer and the source of eternal life.