INTRODUCTION TO THE LITTLE APOCALYPSE.
Mark 13:1-8.
Mark 13, and its equivalents in Matthew 24 and Luke 21:5-36, is sometimes entitled “the little apocalypse.”
This passage is poised between Jesus’ teaching in the Temple (Mark 12), and the account of the Passion (Mark 14-15). The main thrust of the chapter is to underline the need to “be on our guard” (Mark 13:5; Mark 13:9; Mark 13:23; Mark 13:33), and to “keep watch” (Mark 13:35; Mark 13:37).
First, Jesus warns the disciples against trusting in buildings, and all the other outward trappings of public worship (Mark 13:2). This is as relevant today as it was all those centuries ago. Thereafter the discourse is a response to a question concerning times and signs (Mark 13:4).
Secondly, Jesus warns the disciples against false Messiahs (Mak13:6). Every war and every rumour of a war, every earthquake, famine and trouble is not necessarily the very end of all things (Mark 13:7-8). The gospel must be preached to all nations (Mark 13:10), but meantime the lot of the disciple is often suffering and rejection (Mark 13:9; Mark 13:13).
