Mark 14:12-21 Disciples Prepare for the Passover & Jesus' Betrayer Revealed

12 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?” 13 And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. 14 “Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ 15 “Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.” 16 So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. 17 In the evening He came with the twelve. 18 Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.” 19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?” 20 He answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. 21 “The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.”

Devotional
The Feast of Unleavened Bread along with the Passover (Lev. 23:4-8; Deut. 16:1-8) which Jesus was about to observe here with His disciples on the Eve of His crucifixion; was first given by God to the Israelites while they were slaves in Egypt (See Exodus 12:1-13:16). It was to be kept “On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the LORD’s Passover.” Lev. 23:5 Following that was the week long Feast of Unleavened Bread which was one of the three main feasts all Israelites males were required to attend after the giving of the Law by God through Moses (Exodus 23:14-18; 34:18; Lev. 24:4-8; Deut. 16:16-17). Now since the Passover officially took place at midnight the week long feast that followed it could actually begin on either the twenty first or twenty second day of the first month depending on when the Passover Lamb was eaten. And as the name implies no leaven was to be eaten or found in their homes during it (Exodus 12:15). Since its absense was to represent the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt by the hand of God. And thus it was to solemnly commemorate the Lord God of Israel bringing the armies of Israel out of Egypt with haste after they had kept the initial Passover, which preceded God’s judgment, before their exodus from Egypt. (Exodus 12:17, 40-42). Though the Feast of Unleavened Bread is not our focus here, rather the Lord Jesus keeping the Passover with His disciples so we'll try to stay focused on that.

So then returning to the Passover and its significance, it was one of the most important ceremonies for the Jews to keep for several reasons. Not the least of which was that it was initially commanded by the Lord God so that He might “pass over” all the houses of the Israelites in judgment as He struck down on the eve of their exodus all the first born of both man and beast of the Egyptians as His finial plague on Pharaoh and their “gods”. Now in order for God to pass over the Israelite’s as He executed His judgment on the land. He commanded each household to kill a lamb without blemish in its first year then take a bundle of hyssop dip it in the lambs blood caught in a basin and strike the two doorposts and lintel (i.e. the “header” above the door) of their homes. This would symbolize the Lord God striking the Egyptians before delivering the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 12:21-23). The blood of the lamb then was foundational to the Israelites receiving mercy from the Lord God so that He would pass over their homes when He sent the plague of death on the Egyptians firstborn at midnight (Exodus 12:6-13). Now lest you miss understand what occurred then. The Lord God did not move against Pharaoh and the Egyptians without cause. For it was they who had first killed the Israelite male children in the land in an effort to prevent them from multiplying; and later as they refused to let the Israelites go and serve the Lord God as He commanded and raised up Moses to lead them out of the land of Egypt to do so. God brought a series of plagues against Pharaoh and the people, and the land; yet Pharaoh continued to harden his heart and would not heed the Word of the Lord spoken to him, nor the signs shown him through Moses and Aaron (Please Read Exodus 1-11).
And so God gave the Israelites the Passover lamb and its blood as a means for His passing over the Israelite homes when He brought His finial judgment on the land of Egypt. Now that emphasis of God’s judgment against sin, and His passing over in judgment those guilty of it, through the shedding of sacrificial blood, is what I want you to stay focused on. For ultimately all that the Israelite Passover was to do was point to a day when God would likewise deliver us all who believe from the bondage of sin and death, by His Passover Lamb. This Passover then that Jesus is about to keep with the disciples on the eve of His own crucifixion death is merely a precursor to what He is about to do for us all. For as we will see the Lord Jesus Christ is about to become the Passover Lamb of God whereby through His shed blood on the cross God would have a means for passing over everyone’s sins who believes in Him. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Therefore with the disciple’s inquiry about where they should prepare for the Passover, and Jesus knowing what lies ahead of Him. Jesus gives them some very specific instructions about what will occur as they go to prepare a place for them to eat it (vs. 13-15). The Scripture then says: “So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover.” Vs. 16
Notice that though the disciples initially inquired of the Lord of what they must do to prepare a place for Jesus to eat the Passover (vs. 12). The Lord Jesus had already prepared everything for them, and so it unfolded just as Jesus said it would. Now that point I don’t want to be lost on you. For the Lord Jesus Christ has already done everything that needs to be done for your salvation! All you have to do is believe it to enter into it, as the Lord Jesus says: “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:29

So it is as the disciples having done what Jesus commanded, and having found all things prepared for them as He said they would be. They make ready for His arrival. There is a lesson in that as well. For the Lord Jesus said His Second Coming will be something that will catch people unaware. Therefore we should all be prepared for Him as well. For there will be a day when we who trusted in Him will be celebrating the ultimate Supper with the Lamb of God Himself! As the Scripture says: 9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” Rev. 19:9 Now returning to the gospel passage at hand, it states that in the evening the Lord Jesus came with the twelve and as they sat and ate Jesus said: “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.” Vs. 18
Up until this time Jesus though knowing that Judas had gone out to betray Him, had not yet revealed that to His disciples. Only here on the eve of His crucifixion, during the Passover meal, does Jesus reveal this to them, without fully disclosing that it is Judas. It’s most likely that if the disciples had known it was Judas they would’ve prevented him from doing so. And thus Jesus knowing the Scriptures must be fulfilled only reveals what will allow there fulfillment (Mark 14:49). And so it is as Jesus warns of His betrayal to them that “… they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?” 20 He answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. 21 “The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.” Vs. 19-21 The Lord Jesus ominous warning here though directed solely at Judas Iscariot, for he alone of all the disciples understood the Lord Jesus’ statement at that time as being directed towards him (See John 13:26-30), should not be overlooked by anyone else who would likewise consider betraying the Son of Man. For there is a day when God will judge the world in righteousness through the Man He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead (See Acts 17:22-32, vs. 31-32). Therefore it would be amiss of me not to tell you that in all things Christian, in believing in Jesus Christ means more than just an intellectual ascent. It is more than just church membership or baptism. It is first ones unconditional belief or trust in what He has first done to save us by His own work and righteousness. Then it is our learning obedience to God through the Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostle's commandments. That is where the Feast of Unleavened Bread which immediately follows the Passover comes in here as a kind of metaphor for the Christian life. For as the name implies there was to be no leaven eaten during it. And interestingly the Apostle Paul in the New Testament uses leaven as a metaphor for evil or sin amongst believers, so like leaven which was not to be found amongst the Israelites during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, it too must be purged out of our lives (Consider 1 Cor. 5:6-8; Gal. 5:9; 1 John 3:1-3). Therefore purge out of your lives the old leaven and let the new life of Jesus Christ by His Spirit fill you instead. For when Jesus Christ returns for His bride the church, or we go to stand before Him to be judged by Him, will He find us prepared and sanctifying our lives, or simply living lives filled with sin?

Now in exhorting this, that is our first trusting Jesus Christ for our salvation, then moving forwards in our pursuits of holiness, righteousness, godliness, faith, love etc. this though is not to become feigned sinlessness (since nobody obtains to perfection in this life) but rather obedience to His Word so that we might not sin. And thus there will be need for our confession when we stumble and sin as well as our accepting God’s grace when we do (1 John 1:8-2:2). For it is only by the Lord Jesus Christ’s righteousness and His intercession on our behalf as both our Savior and our High Priest which keeps us in relationship with God and Himself. 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

If you have come to believe, but have not yet made that most important decision for the Lord Jesus Christ to invite Him into your heart and life to be your Lord and Savior, then please freely do so. Simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I know I am a sinner and need to be saved by You. I believe in all that You have done to save me from my sins and ultimately the judgment to come. Therefore I now invite you to be my Lord and Savior, trusting You alone for my salvation, in Your Name Lord Jesus, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 14:10-11 Jesus Betrayed to the chief priests

Mark 14:10-11
10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.

Devotional
What transpires here is what occurs after Jesus having rebuked Judas when he and others there in Simon the Lepers house in Bethsaida sharply rebuked a woman who anointed Jesus’ head with expensive fragrant oil, saying it was a “waste” goes out from amongst them to the chief priests with the intent of betraying Jesus to them. Remember just before Jesus’ anointing by the woman the chief priests and scribes had wanted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. But because it was nearing the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened bread they held themselves back from their evil desire, saying: …“Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.” Mark 14:2 And so with Judas’ approaching them to betray Jesus to them the Scripture says: “And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.” Vs. 11 Notice Judas after being rebuked by Jesus does not hesitate to go to chief priests to betray Jesus to them, and this for money, as the chief priests so quickly deducted. For from the start Judas was stealing from the money box entrusted to his care. And thus his faithfulness to Jesus Christ could be measured by how much it profited him. That is why he criticized the woman so sharply, not that he cared for the poor, as the others clearly did. But sadly he was using that righteous cause and their hearts for it, for his own ends, so that he might steal the proceeds from the sale of the oil.

And thus Judas Iscariot though a “disciple” from the beginning did not love the Lord. If he did his love of mammon soon overrode it. Indeed Judas was there when Jesus warned the disciples at the beginning of His ministry, saying: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt. 6:24

Yet for whatever reasons Judas took no heed to obey the Lord’s Words and so over time he became more and more hardened by the deceitfulness of sin as the Book of Hebrews warns (Heb. 3:12-14). And thus Judas’ hardned heart led him to a state where Satan entered him (Luke 23:3). And with that Judas goes out to betray the Lord Jesus. Judas Iscariot then should be a warning to all who would betray the Lord Jesus or His church for their love of money. Similarly the person who comes to the church looking to exploit the charity or grace of God through His people, who see Christians not as people whose faith, Godly lives or righteous examples one should follow, but as easy marks, should think long and hard about it. For the Lord Jesus Christ is not mocked. He is the God of all knowledge and by Him actions are weighed. And those who think little of that fact will find a very sorry end for themselves. As Judas soon will. For though he thinks he’s “profited” from his scheme his temporary evil gain will only end in an eternity of regret.

As Book of Psalms declares:
“The haters of the LORD would pretend submission to Him,
But their fate would endure forever.” Psalm 81:15

Now in stating this, this does not preclude someone’s reconciliation to God or the church if they have sinned or have fallen into sin (James 5:19-20). For walking in the truth is not feigning sinless perfection (Rom. 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). It is being truthful about oneself and ones need for the Lord Jesus Christ to be both saved by Him and sanctified by His Spirit and His Word (John 17:17; 2 Thess. 2:13). For that is how we all enter into life in the first place not as “sinless” people who have never sinned; but as sinners in need of the grace and love of God (Matt. 5:3). Who seeing and admitting our own sinfulness, in faith call on the Name of the Lord Jesus and are saved by Him (Rom. 10:9-10, 13). Therefore having been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ through the grace and love of God we must be diligent in seeking to obey Him (1 John 1:6-7; Titus 1:1). That is why on one hand Jesus says His burden is easy and His yoke is light (Matt. 11:28-29); since salvation is a free gift of God to everyone who believes (Eph. 2:8-9). While on the other He says: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matt. 7:13-14 For in following Jesus in discipleship every believer will have struggles against their own sinful nature and will at times come under the chastening hand of God (Heb. 12:4-11). As well every believer who desires to live Godly will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Therefore I want to encourage you today to first make a decision for the Lord Jesus if you have not done that so that you might receive all that He has done to save you through His crucifixion death and resurrection from the dead. And if you have though you may be going through some trials of faith as the Apostle Peter said we would (1 Peter 1:7) to keep yourself and your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who will see you through them.

Proverb for Meditation:
“Buy the truth, and do not sell it,
Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” Prov. 23:23

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 14:1-9 Jesus' Anointing at Bethany

Mark 14:1-9
1 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. 2 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.” 3 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 “For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 “For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 “She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

Devotional
Jesus having left the Mount of Olives after giving His Olivet Discourse (that is His foretelling of the Temple's destruction; Israel's dispersion, and His return at the end of the age) is now in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper (vs. 3). The fact that Jesus frequently resided with people most Jews, and certainly no priest would speak with, much less eat and stay at their residence with, is largely lost on us. Nonetheless Jesus did not do this simply because He wanted to be radical, or shock the status quo, rather because where His presence is; there is the life giving and healing presence of God. That is why the Lord Jesus Christ wants to come into your heart and life to bring God's life giving presence within you. Contrast that with verse one and two which reveal the finial plot against Jesus by the chief priests and scribes who having been rebuked by Him in the Temple (for turning the house of God into a den of thieves) are now scheming to find a way to take Jesus by trickery and put Him to death. And this just two days before the Passover, and the following week long Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Passover being most sacred of all Jewish Religious holy days. That is the silent backdrop that is unbeknownst to the disciples at this time, while Jesus is with them in Simon the Leper’s residence in Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem. And so Jesus waits for His betrayer, and betrayal to them to take place, as He Himself foretold it will (Mark 9:30-32). Now as Jesus is sitting at the table in Simon the leper’s house with several others. A woman (likely Mary, Martha’s sister) comes in with a flask with some very costly spikenard oil, and breaking the flask she anoints the head of Jesus with the oil (vs. 3). The reason for speculating that this unnamed woman was Mary, Martha’s sister, is that in John’s gospel Mary six days before the Passover anoints the feet of Jesus with her hair with the same type of oil (John 12:3-9). There it seems her extravagant behavior was born out of her humble gratitude for the Lord’s raising Lazarus her brother from the dead. Now as the woman is anointing Jesus' head with oil, Mark’s gospel says that there were some who were indignant among themselves about this and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 “For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. Vs. 4-5
If you remember it was this Mary who was the one who listened intently at the feet of Jesus while her sister Martha was busy serving. And thus it was this Mary who received commendation from the Lord Jesus for her attentiveness to Him and His Word (see Luke 10:39-42). And so it is here, that it is this Mary again, who must have understood from the Words’ of Christ that His crucifixion death was now imminent. So she, of her own volition, goes and brings some very expensive fragrant oil. So that she can anoint Jesus’ body for burial, as Jesus later explains her motives (vs. 8). Therefore Mary wanting to honor her Lord and prepare His body in the greatest and most significant way possible does this extravagant deed, by using a whole jar of costly spikenard oil (an exotic oil imported from India) for Jesus' anointing. Mary being of such a quiet and discerning heart that she does not follow after the crowd, she follows her Lord. Which should’ve humbled the disciples for their lack of attentiveness to what was then unfolding. Instead there were only some amongst them who were indignant about this “waste” and rebuked her sharply. Notice John’s gospel tells us it is Judas Iscariot who being the treasurer, and who used steal what was entrusted to him, was the primary offender (John 12:4-6). And so it is Judas’ evil assertion against Mary’s most noble deed that will sway them, until Jesus comes to her defense.

Now looking at Jesus Words in doing so. He was not swayed by Judas' false appeal of "ministry to the poor" which swayed the others (vs. 7). Yes there is a needed ministry to the poor that the church and individual believers must do. For that is what the Lord Jesus Christ Himself did. But when that ministry supplants the ministry of the gospel's message of the Lord Jesus Christ crucified and raised from the dead for the redemption of the world from sin and death, then something has gone terribly amiss. The social gospel movement of the nineteenth and twentieth century’s is a clear example of that error. It started out with great intentions. But soon lost its “evangelical” voice, and within it, the gospel’s message. Nonetheless Mary was focused on the Lord’s Person. For she alone anointed the Lord Jesus Christ with the oil; meaning her heart was focused fully on the Lord. Which I believe always leads to doing all of the Lord’s business. Therefore in all things Christian the priority must always be proclaiming and obeying Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior as testified too in the Scriptures. And thus honoring Him, worshiping Him, serving Him, loving Him (all in no particular order) is where each and every believers focus must always remain. Everything else then is really just an outworking of that. For if one loves the Lord Jesus than of course one will have love and empathy for ones fellow person. For in the gospel the two are unmistakably intertwined; both in words and deeds. Therefore that is what believers are to do and strive for, greater love for the Lord, and thus ones fellow person (Mark 12:30-31). Still Mary had the right focus and because she had the right focus she went on to do what Jesus called a good work for Him. Not a “waste” as the disciples then saw it (vs. 6). Indeed she was likely the least amongst them, (at least from their perspectives). Yet she came away with the greatest commendation from the Lord that day because of her attentiveness to Him. As Jesus said of her and her deed: “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” Vs. 9
For the Lord Jesus Christ always honors those who honor Him, regardless of their stature before men. For that is what God commands, that all honor His Son, he who does not honor God's Son does not honor the Father who sent Him (John 5:23). Therefore a believer who builds must build on God’s foundation, that is His Son Jesus Christ; crucified for the redemption of the world. For there is no other foundation than anyone can lay than that which has already been laid. Therefore building on Jesus Christ alone and His finished Work and Word of redemption for all who believe, will always have lasting effects and impacts for eternity (1 Cor. 3:10-15).

Now again, that there were some there who were not discerning what the Lord Jesus was soon to do for them, and for us all who believe. So they totally misunderstood the good work Mary in all humble gratitude and love did to honor the Lord Jesus Christ before His death. Indeed they were so out of tune, that some of them became swayed by the very man who was soon to betray Him! And that’s likely why Jesus rebuked them so sharply. They were to be His leaders, who were going to shepherd and guide His flock after His departure. For Jesus had handpicked, discipled, and called some of them to be His Apostles for that expressed purpose; to be His messengers and witnesses’, but also to bear up (i.e. build up) the church in faith and love. Yet here they are rebuking a humble woman for trying to honor the Lord, her Lord, while they are only thinking about honoring the poor. Who as Jesus said they would always have, but He in His physical Person and Presence, they would not always have. Now they are not alone in this, for we also as fallible believers are susceptible to becoming swayed by those who may not even know, nor honor the Lord as well.

Yet Mary loved the Lord greatly; and had come to understand; maybe from her own brother’s death, then resurrection at the hands of Jesus, that Lazarus’ death (in that Jesus brought Him to life from it) was in some way’s a foreshadow of Jesus’ own death and resurrection. For Lazarus was there with them. And as John’s gospel later declares there were many coming to that house in Bethany wanting to see him, since the news of Jesus having raised Lazarus from the dead spread far and wide (John 12:9-12). And with that the chief priests also wanted to kill Lazarus along with Jesus, since because of him, many turned away from them and believed in Jesus. Have you come to believe in Jesus Christ the Lord? For it’s not religion that God is offering to us all, it’s a personal relationship with Himself through His Son, whereby we are reconciled to Himself through the Person of His Son. Have you then come to believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? For it’s not what we do which saves us and brings us into a relationship with Himself. It is what He Himself has done in the Person of His Son Jesus Christ. Who alone bore all our sins on the cross so that God’s justice could be satisfied for everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ crucified to save them (John 3:16). If you would like to receive the Lord Jesus Christ. Why not say a simple prayer in faith asking Him to come into your heart and life. Just pray something like like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe you died for me on the cross to pay for all my sins, and that you rose from the dead so that you could deliver me from my sins and restore me back to God. Therefore I now invite you into my heart and life, to be my Lord and Savior, trusting only what you have done. In your Precious Name Lord Jesus, amen.

Scripture Quotations:
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 13:3-37 Jesus' Mount of Olives Discourse

Mark 13:3-37 (Matt. 24:3-35; Luke 21:7-33)
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” 5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 6 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 7 “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. 9 “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 “But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 “Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 “And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 “And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 “For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 “And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.

24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 “the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 “And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven. 28 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 “So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! 30 “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 “lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

Devotional
Jesus having pronounced the Temple’s destruction on His last visit to it, now moves out of the Temple across the Kidron Valley and back to the Mount of Olives. This is where Jesus first came and viewed Jerusalem before His triumphal entry as the Messiah. So while He is sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple, where from that vantage point Jesus would’ve been looking down upon it, four of Jesus’ disciples: Peter, James, John, and Andrew ask Him privately about the Temple’s destruction, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” vs. 4 That is when will the Temple be destroyed, even to it’s very foundation, as Jesus said it would be; indicating that not just the Temple structure itself was going to be destroyed, but all that worship and service of God had become within it, and when will the end come.
Now their question has two parts first a time line; “when will these things be” and second “what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled”. Now Jesus’ response to their inquiry will be to incorporate these two main questions into one message or discourse often called the Olivet Discourse. Since that is where it was given, by Jesus, on the Mount of Olives just before His crucifixion. And thus seeing the whole prophetic picture before Him, Jesus begins to elaborate to them some of the events and signs that will occur before the Temple’s destruction, which will occur in their generation. But also as prophecy so often does, and especially Jesus’ Words do will have implications not only in their generation but also in the generations beyond them leading to His second coming and the end.
And so Jesus begins by describing what will soon be the state of Israel before the Temple’s destruction and the nation’s dispersion, but His Words are in no way confined to them or those events. For the Jews having rejected their King and Messiah for whom their nation was established by God to bring forth, the nation itself will as a result be scattered to the ends of the earth and it’s religious institutions which rejected Jesus Christ at His first Advent brought down to nothing. And thus all that is ancient Judaism in terms of its religious institutions through the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Essenes, Herodians even the Temple itself and its priesthood will all find their end approximately forty years later in A.D. 70 when the Roman Caesar Titus will surround Jerusalem and bring it and the Temple to desolation. That is the first part of the prophetic picture. But these verses are in no way limited to the Apostle’s and their generation. Since the passage also deals with conditions before Jesus Christ’s return at the end of the age leading up to and during the tribulation period and it’s end; all which is covered (along with many other things) in chapters 6-19 in the Book of Revelations. Now in regards to Jesus’ Words in verses five and six about many coming in His Name and saying, ‘I am He,’ and deceiving many this can be understood as something beginning in their generation but again something not yet completed to fulfillment. For it is clear that after Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, then ascension back to God the Father and then the Holy Spirit’s outpouring, which began the church age, that this on some levels soon became a reality. For both the Apostles Paul and John speak of false apostles and false gospels (2 Cor. 11:3-4, 13-15; Gal. 1:6-9), and even of antichrists as having already come into the world (1 John 2:18-23). And one Antichrist or Lawless one that is yet to come into the world, at the end of the ages, before Christ’s return for His bride, the church (See Daniel 7; 2 Thess. 2:1-12; and the Book of Revelations which vividly describes this in chapter 13). Indeed the Apostle John would say that there is a spirit of the Antichrist. And it is this demonic spirit that is already at work in the world actively denying Jesus Christ and His relationship to God the Father; but also denying Jesus Christ's Incarnation, that is His coming in the flesh as a Man (2 John 7). Thus denying both Jesus Christ’s Divinity, I.e. the Son of God, as well as His Full Humanity, I.e. the Son of Man, and thus denying His literally coming down from heaven to earth and being crucified as the Son of Man for the forgiveness of our sins and our restoration back to God. For God is Spirit and a Spirit alone cannot be crucified and shed its blood for the remission of our sins; which is what God required for us to be redeemed from sin and death, as the Scripture says; “…and without the shedding of blood there is no remission.” Heb. 9:22 Therefore God’s Son the Lord Jesus Christ took on Mortal flesh and became a Man to pay the penalty of our sins that the Law of God required as the Book of Hebrews says: “…but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Heb. 9:26-28

Therefore by the Holy Spirit the Apostle John warns us not only of the coming Antichrist. But also of his demonic influence already at work in the world which sets out to deny these fundamental truth’s about Jesus Christ’s Person, Work and His unique relationship to God the Father by which we can only be saved (Acts 4:12): “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” 1 John 2:22-23 The Apostle John then goes on to say: “and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” 1 John 4:3

Therefore returning to Mark's gospel the Lord Jesus’ warning in verses five and six finds a fulfillment not only in the Apostles generation, but clearly in following generations as groups like the Jehovah witnesses and Mormons’; openly and actively deny God’s Son Jesus Christ as testified too in the Scriptures. Yet audaciously claim to be God's Witnesses or the church of Jesus Christ! And thus Jesus’ warning of Satan’s emissaries actively deceiving and impersonating was to take place not only then, but also in later generations, especially as the end draws near. Therefore that was priority one for Jesus, before revealing anything else, that both His Apostles and everyone who believes in Him, be aware of a personal devil who seeks by all means possible to destroy a believer’s faith, life and witness, often through his own impersonating and or infiltrating the real (Matt. 7:15-20; Mark 13:21-23; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Tim. 3:13; 2 Peter 2; 1 John 4:1-6; Jude). To which we as Jesus Christ’s disciples must never submit too or align ourselves with (2 John 2:9-11). Thus having warned of the greatest danger to all believers, Jesus begins to expound on some of the troubling and unsettling events that were to befall the disciples preceding the Temple’s destruction, as the disciples had inquired about that; but also while doing so describing the conditions and things which must take place before His return and the end comes, intertwining the two. The entire passage then covers a gamut of history that begins unfolding in the church age in its first generations but will only intensify as the end draws near. Not the least of which will be the great apostasy or falling away from the faith (2 Thess. 2:1-4). That the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul warns of as beginning in their generation (1 Tim. 4:1-5).
But will come to a climax in the last generation before the lawless one or man of sin, i.e. the Antichrist is revealed who receives his authority from Satan and has a brief world reign during the Tribulation Period, after the rapture of the church, and before Jesus Christ’s return and judgment of him and those who receive his mark and follow him to perdition (Rev. 14:9-11; 17-18; 19:11-21; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:1-12). Now some of the key points that Jesus makes in the order they are given are: the increasing infiltration, deception and influence of false teachers amongst believers (vs. 5-6; see also 2 Tim. 3 vs. 13).
The lack of peace: “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…: vs. 7-8
Various kinds of cataclysmic events in the earth: “… And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles” vs. 8 In Matthew and Luke’s gospel we are also told of pestilences; i.e. diseases. Now Jesus’ also said that there will also be famines and troubles indicating very much upheaval and or anxiety of persons, governments, and nations, and thus very much uncertainty, instability, and unrest. Yet Jesus says these are only the beginning of sorrows (vs.8). Now immediately following that general warning of global conflicts, troubles and cataclysmic events on earth Jesus in verses nine to thirteen warns of severe persecutions and betrayal’s that will happen to His followers. Which again cannot be contained to any singular generation of believers, since every generation of believers has had to endure persecutions for His Name’s sake and so they clearly find a fulfillment in the Apostle’s generation, but also in later generations, as these will certainly mark the last days; now in regards to believers going through these Jesus tells us: “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 “But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” vs. 9-13
Notice Jesus warns us that believers will be brought before councils (the word used here is the word translated Sanhedrin, the traditional counsel of seventy Jewish elders made up of both religious and secular authorities that Jesus Himself was brought before) and thus sadly it will be some of those religious institutions which bear God’s Name that will become places where believers in Christ will face trials and be beaten (Consider John 16:1-3; Rev. 17-18). Jesus then goes on to say that not only will religious authorities persecute His own; but also believers will be brought before rulers and kings “…for a testimony to them”. vs. 9 The Apostle Paul clearly exemplified this (Acts 23:11) though Jesus Word's are in no way limited to him. For many believers down through ages have both before him, and after him, likewise faithfully followed Jesus Christ in bearing Witness to His glorious Name and Salvation before religious and secular authorities alike, even unto death.

Now immediately following that warning Jesus says in verse ten that “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations” before the end comes. Therefore whether by open invitation or through believer’s persecution, the gospel must first be preached to all nations before the end comes. How one will qualify that is rather difficult to say, nonetheless God knows when His message of salvation through His Son will have reached the ends of the earth and what every individuals and the nations response to it was. And so in regards to some of us being brought before authorities as His witnesses to them Jesus tells us not to worry about, or premeditate on, what we shall say beforehand: “…But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” Vs. 11 No rehearsed sermons or responses needed just a simple trust in God’s Holy Spirit to bring forth Jesus Christ’s Words through us just as Stephen gloriously witnessed to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ before they stoned him. Yet it was through Stephen's martyrdom that God planted seeds of faith in the then unconverted Saul, i.e. the Apostle Paul (See Acts 6:8-7:60, vs. 58; 8:1-3; 9:1-31). Jesus then having warned us of official persecution by authorities, now warns in verse twelve that such will be the hostility towards His own that even the closest of family relations will betray one another to death (Consider Matt. 10:34-39). For Jesus Christ’s Spirit living inside each and every believer makes us utterly incompatible with this world and ultimately its ruler and those under his influence (See John 15:18-21; Rev. 12:17). Immediately then after warning of believers suffering persecutions (vs. 9-13) Jesus warns of the “abomination of desolation” which will likely mark the height of hostility towards all who belong to Christ. Now this phrase was given through the prophet Daniel (See Daniel 11:31; 12:11). It means “that which makes desolate”; that is its presence causes true believers to vacate the Temple because of it (Nelsons Bible Dictionary). Now judging by Jesus’ Words at the time of His proclamation, this event had not yet occurred. But will occur during the seven year Tribulation Period in the rebuilt Temple when the lawless one (i.e. the Antichrist) will set up a graven image of himself to be worshiped as God (See 2 Thess. 2:3-4; Rev. 13). And so perilous will be those times be as both persecutions against believers and God’s judgments as revealed in the Book of Revelations unfolds that Jesus warns when His Word unfolds to flee and not even consider the basics like ones clothing (vs. 14-18). 19 “For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 “And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. Vs. 19-23
Notice Jesus says in those days there will be unparalleled tribulation on the earth such as has never been before, nor ever shall be again (vs. 19 also see Daniel 12:1), meaning His Words here are exclusive to the last generation before His return. Now the word translated tribulation means a pressing on, (Strongs) and when used of tribulations usually denotes being severely distressed, afflicted or oppressed, which means there will be such pressures on the lives of all people then that “And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Vs. 20 And thus in a terrifying time of never before experienced natural catastrophes, internal and external tribulations, along with God’s external judgments on the world, the Lord’s eyes are still upon His people (i.e. the elect) just as they are now to save us.
Jesus then in verse twenty one and two then warns not be deceived by people claiming to be the Christ for such will be the demonic powers at work in the world that “…false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. Vs. 22-23 Now these false christs and false prophets are likely a precursor to the beast and false prophet being revealed and working their signs and wonders as declared in the Book of Revelations chapter thirteen. And thus Jesus’ warning here is different than the warning He gave earlier in verse six which was for the church age and not for the Tribulation Period. Now starting in verse twenty four Jesus begins to describe His Second Coming which comes at the end of the Great Tribulation Period by saying “…after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 “the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 “And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven. Mark 13:24-27 Jesus’ description of the ominous cosmic events at the end of the Tribulation Period signaling His return will be for one a day of redemption (i.e. the elect whom Jesus sends His angels to gather from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven) and for the other a day of eternal judgment as the Lord Jesus executes His wrath on the beast and those who did but believe, but had pleasure in unrighteousness and received the mark of his image and thus assemble together with him for the battle at Armageddon (2 Thess. 2:1-12; Rev. 16:12-16). And thus with all who believed safely in God’s care Jesus can exact His glorious vengeance on the beast and those who received his mark singling their utter rejection of God and His salvation for them (Rev. 19:11-21). Jesus then having described the conditions before His return now gives us the parable of the fig tree to indicate that when we see these things unfolding His return will be imminent (Vs. 28-29). And thus in verse thirty Jesus says: “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Vs. 30 Now Jesus’ Words here indicate that when these things do unfold, as He said they will, that the generation; meaning the generation in which they unfold (church or tribulation "generation") will by no means pass-away until all is fulfilled, giving us all assurance of this by saying: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Vs. 31
Jesus then having sealed His Word by His Immutable Promise now goes on to warn us about idle speculation and complacency. But rather He commends us to prepare and live our lives here and now always ready for His return by saying: 32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 “lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” vs. 32-36

For though Jesus’ Word forewarns us and alerts us to many future events, upheavals and cataclysmic events, all over an unspecific timeline; ultimately only God the Father knows the time when it will all unfold as Jesus has said. Therefore I’m going to close by emphasizing what Jesus emphasized; our need to be prepared for His coming (if we do not yet know Him) and our need to stay alert and dutiful in our lives until He returns (if we do). Which is what the study of prophecy should do, point you to Jesus Christ and our need for Him if you do not yet know Him; or keep your faith focused on Him and preparing yourself and life for His return (if you do), which will not be according to the word of man but only according to the Word of God. Therefore Jesus command and emphases to us all is to watch! To be alert and diligent to what is happening in the world and our own lives and to pray for when Jesus Christ comes back will He find us prepared like the five who were wise in His parable of the ten virgins? Or unprepared like the five unwise who having no oil were not able to enter when He returned as the bridegroom for His bride (Matt. 25:1-12; also consider the Lord Jesus’ exhortation in Luke 12:35-48).

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Additional Resources
Nelson’s illustrated Bible dictionary; Ronald F. Youngblood, general editor; F.F. Bruce and R.K. Harrison, consulting editors, Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1995.