Mark 13 · The Lantern

Temple Destruction and Other Signs

And when He is going forth out of the temple, one of His disciples says to Him, “Teacher, behold what stones and what buildings!”

And each one who receives the word of God is a temple of God, so that it may rightly be said to him: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" Each one therefore, since he is a holy temple of God because of the Spirit of God dwelling within him, if he himself sins, becomes the cause of his own desertion, so that Christ goes out f…

Since the Lord spoke much about the desolation of Jerusalem, for example: "your house is left unto you desolate" (Matt. 23:38), the disciples marveled that such magnificent and beautiful buildings were to perish, and therefore they showed Him the striking splendor of the temple.

Here also the Lord enumerates to His disciples the destruction of the last time, that is of the temple, with the people, and its letter; of which one stone shall not be left upon another, that is, no testimony of the Prophets upon those, to whom the Jews perversely applied them, that is, on Ezra, Zerubbabel, and the Maccabees.

And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will certainly not be left here stone upon stone which will certainly not be thrown down.”

And when He is sitting upon the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were asking Him in private,

There is no discrepancy in the Gospels as to facts of the end time, although one may supply details which another may pass over or describe differently. Rather, they supplement each other when compared, and thus give direction to the mind of the reader.

(ubi sup.) Because the Lord, when some were praising the buildings of the temple, had plainly answered that all these were to be destroyed, the disciples privately enquired about the time and the signs of the destruction which was foretold; wherefore it is said: And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privat…

“Tell us: when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things are soon to be accomplished?”

And Jesus began to say to them, “Take heed lest anyone mislead you.

Many will come in My name, saying that ‘I am He,’ and they will mislead many.

And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be disturbed; it must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Our Lord and Redeemer announces beforehand the evils that precede the perishing world, so that the things to come may disturb us less because they have been foreknown. For missiles that are foreseen strike less forcefully; and we endure the evils of the world more tolerably if we are fortified against them by the shield of foreknowledge.

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. Wars pertain to enemies, seditions to citizens. Both of these abounded abundantly from the time of the Lord's Passion among the people of the Jews, who chose a seditious robber for themselves instead of the Savior Christ.

That is, the Romans against the Jews, which Josephus relates happened before the destruction of Jerusalem. For when the Jews refused to pay tribute, the Romans arose, in anger; but because at that time they were merciful they took indeed their spoils, but did not destroy Jerusalem.

For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes throughout places; there will be famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

For nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in various places; for all these are the beginnings of sorrows (24, 7. 8). Mark has the same things, but adds "and tumults"; Luke likewise has these same things, but adds "and there shall be terrors from heaven and great signs and storms".

It goes on: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. (ubi sup.) Now it is on record that this literally took place at the time of the Jewish rebellion.

And it was not wars alone, but also other God-sent punishments — famine and earthquakes — which clearly showed the Jews that God Himself was waging war against them. Yet all this was only "the beginning of sorrows," that is, of the calamities that awaited them.

Witnessing to All Nations

But take heed to yourselves. They will betray you to courts, and in synagogues you will be beaten, and before governors and kings you will stand because of Me, for a testimony to them.

But because all these things come not from the injustice of the one striking but from the merit of the world that suffers, the deeds of wicked men are set forth first when it is said: "But before all these things they will lay their hands upon you and persecute you, and deliver you to synagogues, leading you before kings and governors for my name's sake.

But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before kings and governors for my sake, for a testimony to them.

But you, He says, take heed, for they will deliver you up to councils. He introduces the discourse about them at the right moment — that they will be delivered up to councils — so that from the common calamities they might receive some consolation in their own personal afflictions.

And to all the nations it behooves the gospel first to be proclaimed.

So too, the Gospel of the kingdom has not yet been preached in the whole world. For the Gospel is not reported to have been preached among all the Ethiopians, especially among those who are beyond the river, nor among the Seres nor among the Ariacin nor … have heard the word of Christianity.

Ecclesiastical historians testify that this was fulfilled, for they relate that all the Apostles long before the destruction of the province of Judæa were dispersed to preach the Gospel over the whole world, except James the son of Zebedee and James the brother of our Lord, who had before shed their blood in Judæa for the word of the Lord.

And lest the disciples should think that troubles and sorrows would hinder the preaching of the Gospel, the Lord says that "the Gospel must first be preached among all nations," and only then would Jerusalem be given over to desolation.

And when they lead you away, delivering you up, do not be anxious beforehand what you may say; but whatever is given you in that very hour, speak that; for you yourselves are not those speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

But upon hearing so many terrors, the hearts of the weak could be disturbed, and therefore consolation is added when it is immediately subjoined: "Settle it therefore in your hearts not to premeditate how you will answer.

Indeed, before the decisive war of the Romans against the Jews began, what did the apostles not suffer from them, being delivered up to courts and led before kings: Herod, Agrippa, and Nero? But you, He says, "do not worry beforehand what you will" answer: at that very hour the Holy Spirit will give you what you must say.

(non occ.) Another anxiety might also arise in the breasts of the disciples. Lest therefore after hearing that they were to be brought before kings and rulers, they should fear that their want of science and eloquence should render them unable to answer, our Lord consoles them by saying, But when they shall lead you and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall s…

And brother will deliver up brother to death, and father child, and children will rise up against parents and will put them to death.

"But you will be betrayed by parents and brothers, and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death." Evils inflicted by strangers cause lesser pain. But those torments rage more fiercely within us which we suffer from those in whose minds we had confidence, because along with bodily harm, the evils of lost love torment us.

(ubi sup.) This has often been seen in time of persecution, nor can there be any firm affection amongst men who differ in faith.

He also foretells to them a worse evil, that they should suffer persecution from their relations. Wherefore there follows: 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; and ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

And you will be hated by all on account of My name. But the one having endured to the end, he will be saved.

Therefore the Lord exhorts us to wait with patient and reverent faith until the end comes: Blessed is He that endureth to the end.

"And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake, yet not a hair of your head shall perish. In your patience you shall possess your souls." The possession of the soul is placed in the virtue of patience because patience is the root and guardian of all virtues.

And this He says, that on hearing it, they might prepare themselves to bear persecutions and ills with greater patience. Then He brings them consolation, saying, And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; for the being hated for Christ's sake is a sufficient reason for suffering persecutions patiently, for it is not the punishment, but the cause, that makes the martyr…

The Abomination of Desolation

But when you see the abomination of the desolation standing where it should not — let the one reading understand — then let those in Judea flee to the mountains;

The Lord also says, "When ye shall see the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand), then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains, and let him which is on the housetop not come down to take his clothes; neither let him which is in the field return back to take anything out of his house.

By "the abomination of desolation" is meant the statue of the one who subjected the city of Jerusalem to desolation. For "abomination" is the name given to every idol; it was called "the abomination of desolation" because it was placed inside the inaccessible sanctuary of the temple, when Jerusalem was taken and through this was subjected to desolation.

For our flight is to the mountains, that he who has mounted to the heights of virtue may not go down to the depths of sin.

and let the one upon the housetop not come down nor go in to take anything out of his house;

(ubi sup.) Then let him who is on the house-top, that is, whose mind rises above carnal deeds, and who lives spiritually, as it were in the free air, not come down to the base acts of his former conversation, nor seek again those things which he had left, the desires of the world or the flesh. For our house either means this world, or that in which we live, our own flesh.

And whoever is on the housetop, let him not return to his house for anything: he should be glad even if he escapes naked. And whoever already stands on the height, let him not come down from it. For when any passionate thought arises in us, then we must through confession hasten to the height of virtue and not descend from that height.

It goes on, And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house; for it is a desirable thing to be saved even naked from such a destruction.

and let the one in the field not return to the things behind to take his clothing.

But woe to those having in the womb and to the ones nursing infants in those days!

There are some who say outright that marriage is fornication and teach that it was introduced by the devil. They proudly say that they are imitating the Lord who neither married nor had any possession in this world, boasting that they understand the gospel better than anyone else.

Woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days. Woe to the present captivity for those pregnant and nursing women, whose heavy burdens of the womb or hands of their children greatly impede the necessity of flight.

It goes on: But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days. (non occ.) Again, after having mentioned this double impediment to flight, which might arise either from the desire of taking away property, or from having children to carry, He touches upon the third obstacle, namely, that coming from the season; saying, And pray ye that your flight be n…

And pray that it may not happen in winter.

For in those days will be tribulation such as has never been the like from the beginning of creation which God created until now — and certainly will not be.

And unless the Lord shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but on account of the elect whom He chose, He has shortened the days.

And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ ‘Behold, there!’ — do not believe it.

For there will arise false Christs and false prophets, and they will give signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, the elect.

The more the Adversary rages, the more error deceives. Senselessness makes its pretenses, envy inflames, covetousness makes blind, impiety depraves, pride puffs up, discord exasperates, anger hurries headlong.… Let the brethren beware of these things, for "I have told you all things beforehand." Avoid such people.

(v. Greg Hom. in Ezech. lib. i. 9) Why however is it said with a doubt if it were possible, when the Lord knows beforehand what is to be? One of two things is implied; that if they are elect, it is not possible; and if it is possible, they are not elect. (non potest, ap. Cat.) This doubt therefore in our Lord's discourse expresses the trembling in the mind of the elect.

For false Christs and false prophets shall arise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. For many shall take upon them the name of Christ, so as to seduce even the faithful.

But you yourselves take heed; I have foretold you all things.

The Return of the Son of Man

But in those days, after that tribulation, ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,

And just as when the moon is in opposition to the sun, it disappears through the regular flow of the menstrual cycle or through the alignment of the earth, so too the holy Church, when the vices of the flesh oppose the heavenly light, cannot receive the divine radiance of Christ's rays. For in persecutions, the love of this life often excludes the light of God alone.

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will darken, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars of the sky will fall.

But the tribulation shall be great, and the days short, for the sake of the elect, lest the evil of this time should change their understanding. Or else, the sun shall be darkened, at the coldness of their hearts, as in the winter time.

and the stars will be falling out of heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.’

If you examine this whole passage of Scripture from the inquiry of the disciples down to the parable of the fig tree, you will find that it makes sense at every point in connection with the coming of the Son of Man. He will bring both sorrow and joy. The Son of Man is coming in the midst of both calamities and promises, both the grief of nations and the longing of the saints.

We say these things, dearly beloved brethren, so that your minds may be awakened to the pursuit of caution, lest they grow sluggish through security, lest they become feeble through ignorance, but that fear may always stir them and solicitude strengthen them in good work.

But after the coming of Antichrist, the frame of the world shall be altered and changed, for the stars shall be obscured on account of the abundance of the brightness of Christ. Wherefore it goes on: But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light; and the stars of heaven shall fall.

And then they will behold the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

(Epist. cxcix. 11.) For since it was said by the Angels to the Apostles, He shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven, (Acts 1:11) rightly do we believe that He will come not only in the same body, but on a cloud, since He is to come as He went away, and a cloud received Him as He was going. (de Trin. i.

"And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and majesty." As if it were openly said: They shall see in power and majesty Him whom, placed in humility, they refused to hear, so that they may then feel His power all the more strictly, inasmuch as now they do not bow the neck of their heart to His patience.

But they shall see the Lord as the Son of Man, that is, in the body, for that which is seen is body.

And then He will send the angels and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the end of earth to the end of heaven.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Now learn the parable of the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth the leaves, you know that the summer is near.

As the sproutings of small trees afford a sign of the approach of summer time, so do the great conflicts of the world point toward the kingdom by preceding it. Both sign and thing signified belong to the same One who orders all.

From the fig tree learn the parable: when its branch becomes tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So also you, etc. With the example of the tree, He taught the coming of the consummation.

Or else, the leaves which come forth are words now spoken, the summer at hand is the day of Judgment, in which every tree shall show what it had within it, deadness for burning, or greenness to be planted with the tree of life. There follows: Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till these things be done.

So also you yourselves, when you see these things coming to pass, know that He is near, at the doors.

(Epist. 119, 11) All that is said by the three Evangelists concerning the Advent of our Lord, if diligently compared together and examined, will perchance be found to belong to His daily coming in His body, that is, the Church, except those places where that last coming is so promised, as if it were approaching; for instance in the last part of the discourse according to Matthe…

"So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near." As if He openly said: Just as the approaching summer is known from the fruit of trees, so from the ruin of the world it is recognized that the kingdom of God is near. By these words it is certainly shown that the fruit of the world is ruin. For it grows in order to fall.

So too after the sorrowful time of the Antichrist, the second coming of Christ will immediately follow, which for the righteous will be exactly like the harvest after winter, and for sinners — winter after the harvest.

Amen I say to you that this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things happen.

All these things are confirmed with great certainty when the sentence is added which says: "Amen I say to you, this generation shall not pass away until all things come to pass.

Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. By the name of generation, he either signifies every kind of people or specifically the Jews. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Or else, This generation shall not pass away, that is, the generation of Christians, until all things be fulfilled, which were spoken concerning Jerusalem and the coming of Antichrist; for He does not mean the generation of the Apostles, for the greater part of the Apostles did not live up to the destruction of Jerusalem.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will certainly not pass away.

Although heaven and earth, and the things that are in them, may pass away, yet his divine speech regarding each individual thing, whether viewed as parts of a whole or species of a genus, shall by no means pass away. The utterances of God the Word, who was in the beginning with God, will not come to nothing.

And this I know, not as being a prophet, but as already seeing the beginning of this very evil. For some from among the Gentiles have rejected my legal preaching, attaching themselves to certain lawless and trifling preaching of the man who is my enemy.

The Lord says: take courage, the generation of the faithful shall not pass away nor shall it fail. Sooner shall heaven and earth, those seemingly unshakable elements, pass away than My words fail to be fulfilled in anything, for all that I have said shall come to pass.

Readiness at Any Hour

But concerning that day or the hour no one knows — not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son — except the Father.

The gnostics presumptuously assume acquaintance with the unspeakable mysteries of God. Remember that even the Lord, the very Son of God, allowed that the Father alone knows the very day and hour of judgment.… If then the Son was not ashamed to ascribe the knowledge of that day to the Father only, but declared what was true regarding the matter, neither let us be ashamed to rese…

The last day and hour no one knows, not even the Son himself, but the Father. Yet how can the source of wisdom be ignorant of anything—that is, wisdom who made the world, who perfects all, who remodels all, who is the limit of all things that were made, who knows the things of God and the spirit of a person, knowing the things that lie deep within?

The Lord wishing to prevent His disciples from asking about that day and hour, says, But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time is.

As, therefore, when the wild olive has been engrafted, if it remain in its former condition, viz., a wild olive, it is "cut off, and cast into the fire;" but if it takes kindly to the graft, and is changed into the good olive-tree, it becomes a fruit-bearing olive, planted, as it were, in a king's paradise: so likewise men, if they do truly progress by faith towards better thin…

A person does not go wrong when he knows that he does not know something, but only when he thinks he knows something which he does not know.

But He teaches us two things, watching and prayer; for many of us watch, but watch only to pass the night in wickedness; He now follows this up with a parable, saying, For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave his servants power over every work, and commanded the porter to watch.

It is like a man going on a journey, having left his house and having given the authority to his servants, to each one his work; and he commanded the doorkeeper that he may keep watch.

Watch therefore; for you do not know when the master of the house comes — at evening or at midnight or when the rooster crows or morning —

Watch therefore, for you do not know at what hour your Lord will come. Not giving "sleep to the eyes" of our soul nor "slumber to the eyelids," so that we may await either our own end or the end of the age, whether that we should depart from this life or that this world should be brought to its consummation for us.

(Hom. in Evan. 9) Not only, however, those of us who rule over Churches, but all are required to watch the doors of their hearts, lest the evil suggestions of the devil enter into them, and lest our Lord find us sleeping.

For we must needs watch with our souls before the death of the body. For he who sleeps applies not his mind to real bodies, but to phantoms, and when he awakes, he possesses not what he had seen; so also are those, whom the love of this world seizes upon in this life; they quit after this life what they dreamed was real.

lest, having come suddenly, he may find you sleeping.

And what I say to you, I say to all: watch.”