Mark 13:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

NIV: Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

NASB: And you will be hated by everyone because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

CSB: You will be hated by everyone because of my name, but the one who endures to the end will be saved.

NLT: And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

KJV: And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

NKJV: And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

John 15:18–25 expounds on the first part of this verse. Jesus' "name," here, means we are representatives of His reputation, authority, and identity. If we are citizens of the kingdom of God, it is natural that those who do not follow God would make themselves our enemies. In the same way, those who reject Jesus also reject God. Instead of fearing such rejection, we should follow the examples of those apostles who were beaten, and consider it an honor to be worthy of persecution in Jesus' name (Acts 5:17–42).

To be hated by "all" is to be hated by all types of people, not literally every person in existence. The world naturally divides itself into groups with similar beliefs. We see this drastically highlighted in politics. If we truly follow Christ and hold fast to God's wisdom, those characteristics will not be reflected perfectly in any manmade group or club. The world rejects God, and every earthly, manmade interest or philosophy will ultimately have reason to hate or downplay believers.

Some Christians have the idea that once they accept Christ, all their problems will be over. This verse strongly says otherwise. Jesus warns that we should expect persecution (Matthew 5:10–12, 44; 10:23). He points out, "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). Paul says, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12).

The last part of the verse has led some to wonder about the relationship between salvation and faith. Do we have to "endure" until the very end in order to be saved? That would infer we must earn salvation—a claim the Bible denies (Acts 15:1–11; Romans 3:19–20; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8–9). Alternatively, does this mean we lose our salvation if we don't "endure"? That's not right, either, according to Scripture (John 6:37, 40; 10:28–30; 1 Corinthians 1:8). Endurance in the face of hardship is an identifier of those who are saved, not a requirement. We will know who are saved because they will endure (Romans 8:29–30; 1 John 2:19). Nothing that we face will separate us from God's love (Romans 8:38–39).

Mark 13:3–13 occurs less than a week after a crowd celebrated their belief that Jesus is the Son of David, come to restore Israel from her Roman oppressors (Mark 11:10). The disciples think Jesus spent the last three years preparing them to rule in His royal court (Mark 10:35–45). Moments ago, Jesus prophesied it is the temple and Jerusalem that will be destroyed, not the Romans (Mark 13:1–2). The disciples were understandably confused, even as He continues His dire predictions. Jesus' warnings are also recorded in Matthew 24:4–14 and Luke 21:8–19.

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.