9"But watch out for yourselves. They will hand you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, as a witness to them. [13:10] And the good news must first be proclaimed to all the nations. [13:11] And when they hand you over and lead you away, do not be anxious beforehand about what you will say, but say whatever is given to you in that hour — for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. [13:12] And brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and put them to death. [13:13] And you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end — that one will be saved."
MRK 13:9-13
Witnessing to All Nations
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Roman Empire, judicial systems were deeply intertwined with political and religious authority. Local Jewish councils and Roman governors held significant power, often adjudicating disputes and enforcing order. For Jesus’ followers, being handed over to these authorities was a real and immediate threat, as their allegiance to Jesus could be seen as subversive to both Jewish and Roman systems. Synagogues, central to Jewish communal life, were also places of discipline, where beatings could be administered for perceived transgressions. The mention of governors and kings underscores the political stakes, as Roman officials demanded loyalty to Caesar. The call to proclaim the gospel to all nations reflects the tension between Jewish particularism and the inclusive mission to Gentiles. The warning about familial betrayal highlights the social upheaval caused by allegiance to Jesus, as households were foundational to societal stability. The assurance of the Holy Spirit’s guidance in such trials would have been a profound comfort, emphasizing divine presence over human preparation.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MRK 13:9
- KJV
- But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
- BSB
- So be on your guard. You will be delivered over to the councils and beaten in the synagogues. On My account you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.
- Koinōnos
- But watch out for yourselves. They will hand you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, as a witness to them.
MRK 13:10
- KJV
- And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
- BSB
- And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations.
- Koinōnos
- And the good news must first be proclaimed to all the nations.
MRK 13:11
- KJV
- But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
- BSB
- But when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
- Koinōnos
- And when they hand you over and lead you away, do not be anxious beforehand about what you will say, but say whatever is given to you in that hour — for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
MRK 13:12
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.
- Koinōnos
- And brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and put them to death.
MRK 13:13
- KJV
- And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
- BSB
- You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.
- Koinōnos
- And you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end — that one will be saved.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ.”
Cited to ground: He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles.
Translator's notes
MRK 13:9
- they will betray:The word translated 'they will betray' here carries the sense of handing someone over to an authority, often with the implication of a legal or judicial process, rather than a simple act of disloyalty.
- to:The term used here for 'council' refers to a formal assembly or court, often with judicial authority, rather than a general meeting or advisory group.
MRK 13:10
- nations:The word translated 'nations' often referred to distinct ethnic or cultural groups, particularly non-Israelite peoples, rather than just geographical countries.
MRK 13:11
- not:The word translated 'not' in this context specifically means 'do not worry beforehand' or 'do not be anxious in advance,' emphasizing a proactive concern about future events.