Mark 13:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Pray that it may not happen in winter.

NIV: Pray that this will not take place in winter,

NASB: Moreover, pray that it will not happen in winter.

CSB: "Pray it won’t happen in winter.

NLT: And pray that your flight will not be in winter.

KJV: And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

NKJV: And pray that your flight may not be in winter.

Although the warnings given in Mark 13:14–18 have relevance to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, they also reveal details that will not happen until the midpoint of the end-times tribulation. In taking the form of humanity, Jesus gave up His omniscience (Mark 13:32), but there's no reason that God would have hidden the date of the destruction of the temple by the Romans (Mark 13:2). The siege against Jerusalem ended in late August. The temple was destroyed by September 8th. Winter was not an immediate concern. Details here seem to suggest that Jesus' warnings are not meant to end in 70 AD, but apply to something larger.

Jesus specifically says, however, that He does not know when He will return (Mark 13:32). Since His return will be three and a half years after the mid-point of the tribulation, that means He doesn't know when these events will take place, either. Thus, His concern that it will happen in winter.

The Antichrist's violence against the Jews will come so quickly people will not have the chance to return to their homes to collect supplies (Mark 13:15–16). In January, the low temperature in Jerusalem is typically around 44° F, or 7° C. This doesn't seem that cold to some people. However, for those who are not even able to grab a jacket, it will make for miserable sleeping. December and January are the rainy season in Israel. The creeks and rivers will run fast, and at higher elevations it may snow. In addition, even if the hills are tended for agriculture, there will be nothing to harvest in the winter. If the midpoint of the tribulation occurs in winter, the refugees will be cold and hungry.

Mark 13:14–23 describes Peter, James, John, and Andrew asking Jesus for the signs that the temple will be destroyed and He will return to establish His kingdom (Matthew 24:3). Jesus has explained that wars, natural disasters, false teaching, and persecution will increase (Mark 13:5–13). Now He speaks of the second half of the end-times tribulation. It will start with the Antichrist erecting the abomination of desolation in the temple and end right before war and natural and supernatural disasters would cause worldwide extinction. Matthew talks a bit more about false prophets in Matthew 24:15–28 while Luke gives a shortened version in Luke 21:20–24.

Days before the crucifixion, the disciples praise the glory of the temple. When Jesus tells them the temple will be destroyed, they ask for signs of that coming destruction and of His return (Matthew 24:3). Jesus answers their second question with information crucial for believers in the end times, and any time. Tribulation Christians will face horrifying hardships and violence, as may believers of any era, but they must remember that the hardships will not last. Jesus will return so quickly, any attempt to live by the world's rules will be futile.

The prior chapter contained several parables and Jesus' answer to assorted questions. In this section, Jesus turns His teaching towards the disciples. He explains concepts related to the end times: the still-future period when God will complete His plan for judgment on sin. Those details include a prophecy about the impending destruction of the temple. The final chapters of Mark then describe events up to and after the crucifixion of Jesus at the hands of His enemies.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.