What does Mark 13:37 mean?
The Olivet Discourse begins with Peter, James, John, and Andrew asking Jesus when the temple will fall (Mark 13:3–4) and, "…what will be the sign of [His] coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3). For some time, the disciples have expected Jesus, as the Jewish Messiah, to take His rightful place as king over Israel—and they expected to benefit from their association with Him (Mark 10:35–37). In fact, days before, a crowd had escorted Jesus into Jerusalem singing "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" (Mark 11:9–10).Jesus has told them that their timeline is incomplete. Three times He's warned them He must die first (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33–34). They still can't understand, in part because of the Holy Spirit concealing the truth (Luke 9:45). The disciples have no idea what they are about to witness in the next few days.
Jesus explains that their wait for His return and the end of the age will be even longer than they anticipated. Two thousand years later, the audience for Mark 13 has not yet come. As we sit in the years between Jesus' prophecy and its fulfillment, we must stay awake so we will not be deceived by false prophets (Mark 13:5–6) or frightened by war, natural disasters, or famine (Mark 13:7–8). We must understand Jesus' prophecy to make sure its meaning is available for future generations, and eventually the generation that will need it. And although we may let the promise of coming horror inspire us to preach the gospel and serve in God's kingdom, we must not become obsessed with the end of the world.
Mark finishes his record of Jesus' formal teaching here, although Matthew and John add more (Matthew 25; John 14–17). From here, Jesus and the disciples will go to Bethany one last time (Mark 14:3–9). Then they will celebrate the Passover together (Mark 14:12–31). After a restless few hours praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus will be arrested and the trials will begin (Mark 14:32—15:15).
