M A R K.
CHAP. XIII.
We have here the substance of that prophetical sermon which our Lord Jesus preached, pointing at the destruction of Jerusalem, and the consummation of all things; it was one of the last of his sermons, and not ad populum--to the people, but ad clerum--to the clergy; it was private, preached only to four of his disciples, with whom his secret was. Here is, I. The occasion of his prediction--his disciples' admiring the building of the temple (Mark 13:1; Mark 13:2), and their enquiry concerning the time of the desolation of them, Mark 13:3; Mark 13:4. II. The predictions themselves, 1. Of the rise of deceivers, Mark 13:5; Mark 13:6; Mark 13:21-23. 2. Of the wars of the nations, Mark 13:7; Mark 13:8. 3. Of the persecution of Christians, Mark 13:9-13. 4. Of the destruction of Jerusalem, Mark 13:14-20. 5. Of the end of the world, Mark 13:24-27. III. Some general intimations concerning the time of them, Mark 13:28-32. IV. Some practical inferences from all, Mark 13:33-37.