1As he was going out of the temple complex, one of his disciples said to him, "Teacher, look — what stones and what buildings!" [13:2] And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." [13:3] And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple complex, Peter and James and John and Andrew were asking him privately, [13:4] "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?" [13:5] Jesus began to say to them, "See to it that no one leads you astray. [13:6] Many will come in my name saying, 'I am he,' and they will lead many astray. [13:7] And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must take place, but the end is not yet. [13:8] For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are the beginning of birth pains."
MRK 13:1-8
Temple Destruction and Other Signs
In the world it was spoken into
In the first century, the Jerusalem Temple was not merely a religious center but the heart of Jewish identity, politics, and economy. Its grandeur, funded by Herod the Great, symbolized divine favor and national pride. For Jesus’ disciples, marveling at its stones and buildings , the Temple’s destruction would have been unthinkable, akin to the collapse of their world. Jesus’ prediction that not one stone would remain would evoke images of divine judgment, recalling prophetic warnings like Micah 3:12 and Jeremiah 26:18. The Mount of Olives, where Jesus sat, was a traditional site for eschatological visions (Zechariah 14:4). His mention of wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes aligns with Jewish apocalyptic expectations of birth pains preceding the Messianic age. The warning against being led astray reflects concerns about false messiahs exploiting turmoil, a recurring theme in Jewish history. For Jesus’ audience, these signs would signal not just the Temple’s fall but the unfolding of God’s ultimate purposes.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MRK 13:1
- KJV
- And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
- BSB
- As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look at the magnificent stones and buildings!”
- Koinōnos
- As he was going out of the temple complex, one of his disciples said to him, "Teacher, look — what stones and what buildings!
MRK 13:2
- KJV
- And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
- BSB
- “Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
- Koinōnos
- And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.
MRK 13:3
- KJV
- And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
- BSB
- While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,
- Koinōnos
- And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple complex, Peter and James and John and Andrew were asking him privately,
MRK 13:4
- KJV
- Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
- BSB
- “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to be fulfilled?”
- Koinōnos
- Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?
MRK 13:5
- KJV
- And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
- BSB
- Jesus began by telling them, “See to it that no one deceives you.
- Koinōnos
- Jesus began to say to them, "See to it that no one leads you astray.
MRK 13:6
- KJV
- For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
- BSB
- Many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.
- Koinōnos
- Many will come in my name saying, 'I am he,' and they will lead many astray.
MRK 13:7
- KJV
- And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
- BSB
- When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come.
- Koinōnos
- And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must take place, but the end is not yet.
MRK 13:8
- KJV
- For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
- BSB
- Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
- Koinōnos
- For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, WarsWars 1.19.4
›Josephus, Wars Wars 1.19.4
“As for myself, I am so far from being affrighted at our enemies after this earthquake, that I imagine that God hath thereby laid a bait for the Arabians”
Cited to ground: His mention of wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes aligns with Jewish apocalyptic expectations of birth pains preceding the Messianic age.
Translator's notes
MRK 13:1
- temple:The word translated 'temple' here refers to the entire temple complex, including its courts and surrounding structures, not just the inner sanctuary.
MRK 13:2
- not:The word translated 'not' is part of a phrase that means 'not one stone will be left upon another,' emphasizing a complete and utter destruction.
MRK 13:5
- you:The word translated 'you' is part of a warning against being led astray or deceived, implying a deliberate act of misleading.
MRK 13:8
- famines:The word translated 'famines' is part of a phrase that also includes 'earthquakes' and 'birth pains,' suggesting intense, unavoidable suffering that precedes a new era.