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Commentary on Mark 13 verses 5–13
Our Lord Jesus, in reply to their question, sets himself, not so much to satisfy their curiosity as to direct their consciences; leaves them still in the dark concerning the times and seasons, which the father has kept in his own power, and which it was not for them to know; but gives them the cautions which were needful, with reference to the events that should now shortly come to pass.
I. They must take heed that they be not deceived by the seducers and imposters that should now shortly arise (Mar 13:5, Mar 13:6); "Take heed lest any man deceive you, lest, having found the true Messiah, you lose him again in the crowd of pretenders, or be inveigled to embrace others in rivalship with him. Many shall come in my name (not in the name of Jesus), but saying, I am the Christ, and so claiming the dignities which I only an entitled to." After the Jews had rejected the true Christ, they were imposed upon, and so exposed by many false Christs, but never before; those false Christs deceived many; Therefore take heed lest they deceive you. Note, When many are deceived, we should thereby be awakened to look to ourselves.
II. They must take heed that they be not disturbed at the noise of wars, which they should be alarmed with, Mar 13:7, Mar 13:8. Sin introduced wars, and they come from men's lusts. But at some times the nations are more distracted and wasted with wars than at other times; so it shall be now; Christ was born into the world when there was a general peace, but soon after he went out of the world there were general wars; Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And what will become of them then who are to preach the gospel to every nation? Inter arma silent leges - Amidst the clash of arms, the voice of law is not heard. "But be not troubled at it." 1. "Let it be no surprise to you; you are bid to expect it, and such things must needs be, for God has appointed them, in order to further accomplishment of his purposes, and by the wars of the Jews" (which Josephus has given us a large account of) "God will punish the wickedness of the Jews." 2. "Let it be no terror to you, as if your interest were in danger of being overthrown, or your work obstructed by these wars; you have no concern in them, and therefore need not be apprehensive of any damage by them." Note, Those that despise the smiles of the world, and do not court and covet them, may despise the frowns of the world, and need not fear them. If we seek not to rise with them that rise in the world, why should we dread falling with them that fall in the world? 3. "Let it not be looked upon as an omen of the approaching period of the world, for the end is not yet, Mar 13:7. Think not that these wars will bring the world to a period; no, there are other intermediate counsels to be fulfilled betwixt that end and the end of all things, which are designed to prepare you for the end, but not to hasten it out of due time." 4. "Let it not be looked upon as if in them God has done his worst; no, he has more arrows in his quiver, and they are ordained against the persecutors; be not troubled at the wars you shall hear of, for they are but the beginnings of sorrows, and therefore, instead of being disturbed at them, you ought to prepare for worse; for there shall also be earthquakes in divers places, which shall bury multitudes in the ruins of their own houses, and there shall be famines, by which many of the poor shall perish for want of bread, and troubles and commotions; so that there shall be no peace to him that goes out or comes in. The world shall be full of troubles, but be not ye troubled; without are fightings, within are fears, but fear not ye their fear." Note, The disciples of Christ, if it be not their own fault, may enjoy a holy security and serenity of mind, when all about them is in the greatest disorder.
III. They must take heed that they be not drawn away from Christ, and from their duty to him, by the sufferings they should meet with for Christ's sake. Again, he saith, "Take heed to yourselves, Mar 13:9. Though you may escape the sword of war, better than some of your neighbours, because you interest not yourselves in the public quarrels, yet be not secure; you will be exposed to the sword of justice more than others, and the parties that contend with one another, will unite against you. Take heed therefore lest you deceive yourselves with the hopes of outward prosperity, and such a temporal kingdom as you have been dreaming of, when it is through many tribulations that you must enter into the kingdom of God. Take heed lest you needlessly expose yourselves to trouble, and pull it upon your own head. Take heed what you say and do, for you will have many eyes upon you." Observe,
1.What the trouble is which they must expect.
(1.)They shall be hated of all men; trouble enough! The thoughts of being hated are grievous to a tender spirit, and the fruits of that hatred must needs be a constant vexation; those that are malicious, will be mischievous. It was not for any thing amiss in them, or done amiss by them, that they were hated, but for Christ's name sake, because they were called by his name, called upon his name, preached his name, and wrought miracles in his name. The world hated them because he loved them.
(2.)Their own relations shall betray them, those to whom they were most nearly allied, and on whom therefore they depended for protection; "They shall betray you, shall inform against you, and be your prosecutors." If a father has a child that is a Christian, he shall become void of natural affection, it shall be swallowed up in bigotry, and he shall betray his own child to the persecutors, as if he were a worshipper of other gods, Deu 13:6-10.
(3.)Their church-rulers shall inflict their censures upon them; "You shall be delivered up to the great Sanhedrim at Jerusalem, and to the inferior courts and consistories in other cities, and shall be beaten in the synagogues with forty stripes at a time, as offenders against the law which was read in the synagogue." It is no new thing for the church's artillery, through the treachery of its officers, to be turned against some of its best friends.
(4.)Governors and kings shall use their power against them. Because the Jews have not power to put them to death, they shall incense the Roman powers against them, as they did Herod against James and Peter; and they shall cause you to be put to death, as enemies to the empire. They must resist unto blood, and still resist.
2.What they shall have to comfort themselves with, in the midst of these great and sore troubles.
(1.)That the work they were called to should be carried on and prosper, notwithstanding all this opposition which they should meet with in it (Mar 13:10); "The gospel shall, for all this, be published among all nations, and before the destruction of Jerusalem the sound of it shall go forth into all the earth; not only through all the nation of the Jews, but to all the nations of the earth." It is comfort to those who suffer for the gospel, that, though they may be crushed and borne down, the gospel cannot; it shall keep its ground, and carry the day.
(2.)That their sufferings, instead of obstructing their work, should forward it; "Your being brought before governors and kings shall be for a testimony of them (so some read it, Mar 13:9); it shall give you an opportunity of preaching the gospel to those before whom you are brought as criminals, to whom otherwise you could not have access." Thus St. Paul's being brought before Felix, and Festus, and Agrippa, and Nero, was a testimony to them concerning Christ and his gospel. Or, as we read it, It shall be for a testimony against them, against both the judges and the prosecutors, who pursue those with the utmost rage that appear, upon examination, to be not only innocent but excellent persons. The gospel is a testimony to us concerning Christ and heaven. If we receive it, it will be a testimony for us: it will justify and save us; if not, it will be a testimony against us in the great day.
(3.)That, when they were brought before kings and governors for Christ's sake, they should have special assistance from heaven, to plead Christ's cause and their own (Mar 13:11); "Take no thought before-hand what he shall speak, be not solicitous how to address yourselves to great men, so as to obtain their favour; your cause is just and glorious, and needs not be supported by premeditated speeches and harangues; but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, whatsoever shall be suggested to you, and put into your minds, and into your mouths" (pro re nat - on the spur of the occasion), "that speak ye, and fear not the success of it, because it is off-hand, for it is not ye that speak, purely by the strength of your own wisdom, consideration, and resolution, but it is the Holy Ghost." Note, Those whom Christ calls out to be advocates for him, shall be furnished with full instructions: and when we are engaged in the service of Christ, we may depend upon the aids of the Spirit of Christ.
(4.)That heaven at last would make amends for all; "You will meet with a great deal of hardship in your way, but have a good heart on it, your warfare will be accomplished, and your testimony finished, and he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved," Mar 13:13. Perseverance gains the crown. The salvation here promised is more than a deliverance from evil, it is an everlasting blessedness, which shall be an abundant recompence for all their services and sufferings. All this we have, Mat 10:17, etc.
But because all these things come not from the injustice of the one striking but from the merit of the world that suffers, the deeds of wicked men are set forth first when it is said: "But before all these things they will lay their hands upon you and persecute you, and deliver you to synagogues, leading you before kings and governors for my name's sake. But these things will happen to you for a testimony." For a testimony, clearly, of whom, unless of those who either inflict death by persecuting or who see and do not imitate? For the death of the just is a help to the good and a testimony against the wicked, so that the perverse may perish without excuse from the very thing whence the elect take an example that they may live.
(ubi sup.) The Lord shows how Jerusalem and the province of Judæa merited the infliction of such calamities, in the following words: But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten. For the greatest cause of destruction to the Jewish people was, that after slaying the Saviour, they also tormented the heralds of His name and faith with wicked cruelty.
Ecclesiastical historians testify that this was fulfilled, for they relate that all the Apostles long before the destruction of the province of Judæa were dispersed to preach the Gospel over the whole world, except James the son of Zebedee and James the brother of our Lord, who had before shed their blood in Judæa for the word of the Lord. Since then the Lord knew that the hearts of the disciples would be saddened by the fall and destruction of their nation, He relieves them by this consolation, to let them know that even after the casting away of the Jews, companions in their joy and heavenly kingdom should not be wanting, nay that many more were to be collected out of all mankind than perished in Judæa.
(ubi sup.) For when we are led before judges for Christ's sake, all our duty is to offer up our will for Christ. As for the rest, Christ Himself who dwells in us speaks for us, and the grace of the Holy Ghost shall be given us, when we answer. Wherefore it goes on: For it is not ye that shall speak, but the Holy Ghost.
(ubi sup.) This has often been seen in time of persecution, nor can there be any firm affection amongst men who differ in faith.
But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before kings and governors for my sake, for a testimony to them. Indeed, the very fact that the Jewish people, either alone or as the greatest cause, were the cause of their own destruction, because after the killing of the Lord Savior, they tormented the heralds and confessors of his name and faith with impious cruelty.
Fitly also did He premise a recital of those things which concerned the Apostles, that in their own tribulations they might find some consolation in the community of troubles and sufferings. There follows: And ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. He says kings and rulers, as, for instance, Agrippa, Nero, and Herod. Again, His saying, for my sake, gave them no small consolation, in that they were about to suffer for His sake. For a testimony against them, means, as a judgment beforehand against them, that they might be inexcusable, in that though the Apostles were labouring for the truth, they would not join themselves to it. Then, that they might not think that their preaching should be impeded by troubles and dangers, He adds: And the Gospel must first be published among all nations.
He also foretells to them a worse evil, that they should suffer persecution from their relations. Wherefore there follows: 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; and ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
And this He says, that on hearing it, they might prepare themselves to bear persecutions and ills with greater patience. Then He brings them consolation, saying, And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; for the being hated for Christ's sake is a sufficient reason for suffering persecutions patiently,1 for it is not the punishment, but the cause, that makes the martyr. Again, that which follows is no small comfort amidst persecution: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
(non occ.) Another anxiety might also arise in the breasts of the disciples. Lest therefore after hearing that they were to be brought before kings and rulers, they should fear that their want of science and eloquence should render them unable to answer, our Lord consoles them by saying, But when they shall lead you and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye.
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SUMMARY
Mark 13:9, part of Jesus's profound Olivet Discourse, serves as a solemn warning to His disciples regarding the inevitable persecution they will face as they faithfully proclaim the Gospel. This verse specifically details the legal and social opposition they would encounter, being delivered to religious councils, beaten in synagogues, and brought before secular rulers and kings, all for the sake of Christ. This suffering, however, is not without purpose, as it is intended to serve as a powerful testimony, either to or against those who oppose the truth.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Mark 13:9 employs several potent literary devices. The primary device is Prophecy or Prediction, as Jesus foretells specific, future events concerning the persecution of His followers. This lends significant weight and authority to His words, emphasizing their divine origin. The verse also functions as a Warning, an urgent call to vigilance ("take heed") that prepares the disciples for the harsh realities of their mission. There is a profound Paradox at play: the very act of suffering and being brought before authorities, which appears to be a defeat, is reframed by Jesus as an opportunity for Witness. The disciples' vulnerability and suffering become the means by which a powerful "testimony" is given. Furthermore, the progression from "councils" and "synagogues" to "rulers and kings" can be seen as a form of Merism or Gradation, illustrating the full spectrum of opposition from religious to secular powers, from local to imperial levels, encompassing all potential sources of hostility.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 13:9 deeply connects to the broader theological narrative of suffering and witness in the biblical tradition. It establishes that persecution is not an anomaly but an expected and purposeful aspect of faithfully following Christ. This suffering is not arbitrary; it is "for my sake," directly linking the disciples' trials to their allegiance to Jesus and their participation in His mission. The concept of "testimony" (Greek: martyrion) underscores that adversity can be a powerful platform for the Gospel, transforming what appears to be defeat into an opportunity for divine revelation. This echoes the experience of Old Testament prophets who often faced opposition for speaking God's truth. For believers, this verse affirms that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even suffering, and uses it to advance His kingdom purposes, either by convicting the unrepentant or by drawing others to faith through the steadfast witness of His persecuted people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 13:9 serves as a timeless reminder that authentic discipleship often entails opposition, even in contemporary contexts. While physical beatings or appearances before literal kings may be less common for many believers today, the essence of the warning remains profoundly relevant. Christians may still face social ostracism, professional discrimination, cultural pressure, or ideological hostility for upholding biblical truths. This verse calls us to a posture of sober vigilance, recognizing that trials are an expected part of the Christian journey, not an anomaly to be avoided at all costs. It encourages us to cultivate resilience and courage, understanding that our steadfastness in adversity can be a powerful, living "testimony" to the truth and power of the Gospel. Our willingness to stand firm, even when it costs us, demonstrates the enduring reality of our faith and the transformative power of Christ to a watching world. Ultimately, it invites us to trust in God's sovereign purpose, knowing that even our suffering can be used for His glory and for the advancement of His kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does Jesus warn His disciples about persecution so directly?
Answer: Jesus warns His disciples directly about persecution for several crucial reasons. Firstly, it is to prepare them realistically for the challenging path ahead, preventing disillusionment or surprise when difficulties arise. By foretelling these trials, Jesus equips them mentally and spiritually to endure. Secondly, it underscores the profound seriousness and cost of true discipleship, making it clear that following Him is not a path of ease but one that may involve significant sacrifice. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Jesus reveals that these sufferings are not random or meaningless; they are part of God's divine plan, serving a specific purpose: "for a testimony against them." This means their endurance in persecution would serve as an undeniable witness, either calling their persecutors to repentance or confirming their rejection of God's truth, thereby advancing the Gospel even through adversity.
What does "for a testimony against them" mean in the context of persecution?
Answer: The phrase "for a testimony against them" (Greek: eis martýrion autois) carries a dual significance. On one hand, it means that the disciples' suffering and their steadfast endurance for Christ's sake would serve as a powerful, undeniable witness to their persecutors. This witness could potentially lead to the conversion of some, as seen in the book of Acts. On the other hand, for those who remain hardened in their opposition, the disciples' faithful testimony in the face of injustice would stand against them, confirming their guilt and sealing their condemnation on the day of judgment. It highlights the divine purpose in suffering: God uses the faithfulness of His persecuted people to confront the world with the truth of the Gospel, leaving no one without an opportunity to respond or without accountability for their rejection.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 13:9 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, was the supreme example of one "delivered up" to councils, rulers, and kings, not for His own sin, but for the sake of God's redemptive plan. The very Greek word for "deliver up" (G3860, paradídōmi) used in Mark 13:9 is precisely the same word used to describe Judas's betrayal of Jesus (Matthew 26:15) and God the Father's act of "delivering up" His Son for our salvation (Romans 8:32). Jesus's trials before the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:53-65) and Pontius Pilate (Mark 15:1-15) perfectly prefigure the persecution His disciples would face. His suffering on the cross was the ultimate "testimony" against the powers of sin and death, and simultaneously the ultimate witness to God's boundless love and justice. Believers' suffering for Christ's sake is therefore a participation in His suffering (Philippians 3:10), a continuation of His mission, and a living demonstration of the power of His resurrection. Our ability to endure persecution and bear witness is not our own strength, but a testament to the indwelling Spirit of Christ, who empowers us to follow in the footsteps of the one who endured the cross, despising its shame, for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). Thus, our "testimony" through suffering always points back to Christ, the faithful and true witness, whose perfect sacrifice secured our salvation and whose triumph over death guarantees our ultimate vindication.