The Most Embarrassing Text in the Bible
Mark 13.24-37
Introduction
This pericope has been called the most embarrassing text in the Bible. Those who doubt the inerrancy of the Scripture have used Mark 13 to argue that there are obvious inconsistencies in the Bible. They say that if this passage is about the return of Christ and Jesus promised that it would happen in that generation then the Scripture cannot be trusted. Both conservative and liberal Christians have tripped all over themselves to defend this text. Conservative Christians who believe this passage is about the return of Christ argue that the word generation means something different than the obvious meaning, which is unconvincing. Liberal Christians simply concede that Jesus was wrong, but they say that doesn’t mean the Bible is unhelpful.
The problem is that all three are wrong. This section is not inconsistent and it is not embarrassing because it is not about the return of Christ. There are lots of passages about the literal visible return of Christ to raise the dead, judge the world, and make all things new: Romans 8; 1st Corinthians 15; 1st Thessalonians 4-5; Revelation 21-22. There are a lot of passages in the Bible about the return of Christ; this just isn’t one of them. This foreshadows the 2nd coming of Jesus, but it’s not what Jesus is specifically discussing. This is the third week that we’ve been studying Mark 13, which is the most difficult chapter in Mark’s Gospel. The last two weeks we have seen that all of Mark 13 is about the destruction of the temple in AD 70.
Before we get into the specific details we must remind ourselves that the main point of this chapter, Mark’s Gospel, and the whole Bible in general is about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The center of Scripture is the gospel and it permeates every passage. Whenever you read or study any section of the Bible you should always ask yourself, “why did Jesus have to die and resurrect for this text to be true?” If you are not using that hermeneutical grid as you study the Bible then you are ignoring what the Bible is all about.
Speaking of Scripture, that is actually what this text is all about. This passage is not about the second coming of Christ. It is about the word of Christ. The main point of this passage is that the word of Christ is true and timeless.
Jesus’ Word is True
First, we see that the word of Jesus is true. Jesus predicted the destruction of the second temple in AD 70 and he was right. Let me remind you how we know for sure grammatically that all of Mark 13 is exclusively about the destruction of the temple in AD 70. In verse one Jesus and the disciples come out of the temple and the disciples comment on how great the temple is. In verse two Jesus predicts that the temple will be completely destroyed.
In verse four some of the disciples privately ask Jesus how they will know when the temple will be destroyed. Starting in verse five through the end of the chapter Jesus is answering their question. We know this is all one discourse because there isn’t a change in content or scenery until 14.1. In 13.14 Mark adds the parenthetical let the reader understand, which clues us in that his 1st century audience would understand exactly what Jesus is talking about.
In verse 24 Jesus says verses 24-27 will happen in those days. That means the same days as everything he’s already been teaching on. Then we get to the center of the debate in verse 30: Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. That means everything that Jesus is teaching in chapter 13 will happen in the lifetime of those listening.
So what is Jesus talking about in verses 24-27? Albert Schweitzer was a medical missionary, theologian, and musician in the early 20th century. When he was young he studied the organ in Paris under Charles Marie-Widor. One day in 1899 Widor confessed to Schweitzer that he didn’t understand Bach’s choral preludes. The music kept shifting unpredictably. Schweitzer explained to him that he could never understand the music fully until he understood the texts behind the music. Widor didn’t know that Bach’s preludes were written to go with specific Lutheran hymns. Once he knew the texts behind the music, the music made sense.
We can only truly understand what Jesus is saying when we understand the Old Testament texts that Jesus is alluding to. When Jesus talks about the sun being darkened and the moon not giving light and the stars falling from heaven he’s not speaking literally. He’s using familiar Old Testament apocalyptic language. His first century hearers would’ve understood exactly what he was saying. Listen to Isaiah 13.10:
For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light.
This verse is about the destruction of Babylon. There are other Old Testament prophetic texts that use similar language – Isaiah 34.4; Ezekiel 32.7; Joel 2.10, 31; 3.15; Amos 8.9, to name a few. All of these passages use this cosmic apocalyptic language to describe God’s judgment of the nations. N.T. Wright says, it is ‘typical Jewish imagery for events within the present order that are felt and perceived as “cosmic” or, as we should say, “earth-shattering”’ Jesus is doing the same thing to speak of the judgment of Israel.
And then he quotes from the prophet Daniel again, just like he did in verse 14. Turn to Daniel 7.13. He says the Son of Man will be coming in the clouds. The word, “coming” is the word ἐρχόμενον, which can actually be translated, “coming” or “going.” But even more important than that is the meaning of the Daniel passage he’s quoting. Look at Daniel 7.13:
I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Daniel says that the Son of Man will be coming in the clouds but he is not coming back to earth, he is coming to God. Daniel, and Jesus in turn, is not talking about the return of Christ, but the ascension of Christ. When Jesus ascended he came to God and was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. After this the ESV says he sent out his angels. The Greek word can mean either angels or messengers. What do God’s messengers do? They gather the elect from the four corners of the earth. That is what the apostles did. That is what the church has been doing for 2,000 years. Because Jesus has the dominion and the glory and the kingdom, we have been spreading the gospel to all peoples, nations, and languages. God’s people are being gathered to him even today.
Because Jesus ascended he judged the Jewish nation. Just like Sodom and Gomorrah, Egypt, and Babylon before them, Israel has been judged because they rejected God’s Son. It’s ironic, Jesus uses the same apocalyptic language from the Old Testament that would comfort Israel because YHWH would judge the nations, he now uses it against them. Israel will now be judged. The Father has removed the tenants and given authority to his Son. How do we know that God has vindicated Jesus? Because he judged and destroyed the temple.
Jesus uses two illustrations to drive his point home: the fig tree and the doorkeeper. The point of the fig tree is that just like when they saw Palestinian fig trees blooming, they would know summer is near. Similarly, when they see these things happening, they would know the destruction of the temple is coming. The ESV makes a translation decision in verse 29:
So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near
But the word translated he is near can actually be translated, “he, she or it.” I think it is a better translation. What is it that is near? The destruction of the temple and the true kingdom of God – the church made up of every tribe, tongue, and nation.
In the same way it’s like the 1st century doorman, they must stay awake. The doorman would have to stay awake to protect the house, but also to watch for the return of the master. The disciples saw Jesus ascend. They saw the Jewish rebellion begin. They saw the wicked high priest and murder in the holy of holies. When they see all of these things happen, they must run for the true temple of God is judging Israel.
Everything that Jesus predicted came to pass. Jesus’ word is true. He can be trusted. Jesus has spoken finally and fully in the Bible. The Bible is true. It can be trusted. The most important application of this is that Jesus spoke the gospel so the gospel is true.
Jesus told us that he was the perfect Son of Man who came to live without sin to secure our righteousness. He said he would die in the place of sinners bearing God’s wrath. He told us that he would be buried and that on the third day he would rise again inaugurating God’s kingdom. If you will repent of your sin and trust in Jesus alone you will be saved. Your sins will be forgiven and you will live in the new world with Christ forever. The gospel is true. Believe the gospel.
After we trust in Christ the Father gives us his Spirit and we must give ourselves to Scripture because it is true. We must come together as a church and sit under the Word. We must read, study, listen to, memorize, and meditate on the Word of God. We should do it individually. We should do it with our spouse, our kids, our friends, our church. The Bible is the word of Christ and the word of Christ is true. Build your life on the truth.
Jesus’ Word is Timeless
Not only is the word of Jesus true but it is also timeless. Look at verse 30 again:
Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away (vss 30-31).
Jesus prefaces this statement by saying truly, I say to you. Jesus used that idiom a lot in his preaching and it was a clue to pay attention. Hear this because it is important. That generation would not pass away before all of Mark 13 was fulfilled. The same people who heard Jesus teach would also see the destruction of the temple. And they did. The temple was destroyed some 40 years after Jesus’ prediction.
Then Jesus says Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. We get in trouble if we try and read this literalistically. Jesus is speaking proverbially. He is not saying that heaven and earth will pass away. In fact, both the Old and New Testament have ample passages that teach that the earth will remain forever. No, Jesus is saying even if heaven and earth passed away (which they won’t) Jesus’ word will not pass away. Jesus’ word is more sure than creation. It’s surer than the laws of nature. It’s more reliable than the rising of the sun.
The ESV translation is a little weak here. The words will not in Greek are οὐ μὴ. They are emphatic negation. A better translation would be my words will never ever pass away no matter what! Jesus’ word is timeless. It is applicable to all people in all cultures at all times.
A brown skin man spoke these words in 1st century Palestine but they are authoritative for every tribe in every time. The Bible is not a white western invention that has wrongly colonialized other parts of the world. White people who spoke English didn’t write the Bible. Dark skinned people who spoke Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek wrote the Bible.
The Scripture is the timeless, inerrant, infallible, inspired Word of God. The Bible is never outdated. It is the message of redemption for every generation until Christ returns to raise the dead, judge the world, and make all things new. Even after that we will glory forever in the Son of Man who died for us and for our salvation. We will read, sing, talk about the Scripture for all eternity. Jesus’ word is timeless.
Look to the Bible. When you’re anxious or fearful look to Matthew 6 or Philippians 4. When you sin pray Psalm 51 or the Lord’s Prayer. When you need the cleansing of repentance rest in 1st John 1. When you’re lonely read Philemon and remind yourself of the unity we have in the church. When your marriage is stale read the Song of Songs and be reminded of the love and romance you have for your spouse. When you’re struggling as a parent or depressed because your parents were abusive read Ephesians 1 or Romans 8 and rest in God the Father’s adoption of you in Christ. When you’re lonely, depressed, or sad because of legitimate pain pray the psalms with tears in your eyes. When you need wisdom read the proverbs. When you’re staring death in the face read 1st Corinthians 15 or Hebrews 12 and look to Jesus who endured the cross for the joy set before him. Stand alone on the Word of God.
Conclusion
Why? Because the word of Jesus is true and timeless. The Bible is true and timeless. Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple in AD 70 and it happened. Everything Jesus says is true. Jesus speaks exclusively through the Scripture. The Scripture will never pass away. Love the Bible. Trust and obey the Bible. Build your life on the Bible. The Bible may embarrass some people, but the Bible doesn’t embarrass Jesus.