Mark 13:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

NIV: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

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

CSB: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

NLT: Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

KJV: Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

NKJV: Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

This is not as much a comment on the end times as an oath that what Jesus says is true. Jesus' truth is not transitory. It is not relative to time, place, or culture. Although He is primarily addressing Jews, the audience does not make the accuracy of His words relative.

In a more literal interpretation, heaven and earth will pass away. After the final battle at the end of the millennial kingdom, after Satan is thrown permanently into the lake of fire and unbelievers are judged at the great white throne (Revelation 20:7–15), God will destroy the corrupted heaven and earth and create a new place for His followers to live (Revelation 21:1). Even then, Jesus' words will stand true.

Non-Christians and believers alike tend to put confidence in worldly things. We build and landmark giant trees that have lived hundreds of years. We do the same with cities that have existed for millennia. We see mountains that haven't moved in human memory. We describe businesses like banks as "too big to fail." Even more transitory things like politicians and investment plans (Isaiah 40:8) are treated as reliable or trustworthy. But Jesus says all these earthly things will be destroyed. They are not worth our trust compared to Jesus' words. Only His words bring true, everlasting life.

Mark 13:28–31 makes a lesson about recognizing the end times using an example from farming. Although no one can know when Jesus will return (Acts 1:6–7), God promises to give us signs to let us know the end times are approaching. More specifically, He has told us the sign of the beginning of the tribulation and how long the tribulation will last. If we pay attention, these signs will be as easy to read as the seasons' effects on a fig tree. Many words have been written over verse 30, but it merely means that the tribulation will be short. Matthew 24:32–35 and Luke 21:28–33 record nearly identical accounts.

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.