Jesus continues in apocalyptic mood.
The destruction of the Temple
Mark 13:1-2, Luke 21:5-6
Events of the end times
Mark 13:3-27, Luke 21:7-28
Parable of the fig tree
Mark 13:28-31, Luke 21: 29-33
Warning to be ready
Mark 13:32-27, Luke 21:34-36
Jesus teaches in the Temple
Luke 21:37-38
Parable of the wise and foolish virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
Parable of the talents
Matthew 25:14-30
There’s a little bit of what is called “apocalyptic” in Mark 13 - writing in code so that the wrong people won’t understand. Mark slips in the little phrase “let the reader understand” to warn us that this is going on. So this stuff is referring to events that would take place soon - when the Romans decided that they’d put up with Jewish insolence long enough and moved in to crush them, destroying the Temple in the process. The Romans wouldn’t have picked up these references, because Mark makes it sound like the days of the Maccabees, 3 centuries before. But Jews with a sense of history would know what he was talking about.
In al of this, Jesus is pushing one important message - keep alert, so that you don’t miss the moment. The parable of the wise and foolish virgins makes this clear, and Matthew’s version of the parable of the talents paints God as ruthless - the time for showing mercy and patience is over. This is your last chance, boys and girls - don’t blow it!
The destruction of the Temple
Mark 13:1-2, Luke 21:5-6
Events of the end times
Mark 13:3-27, Luke 21:7-28
Parable of the fig tree
Mark 13:28-31, Luke 21: 29-33
Warning to be ready
Mark 13:32-27, Luke 21:34-36
Jesus teaches in the Temple
Luke 21:37-38
Parable of the wise and foolish virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
Parable of the talents
Matthew 25:14-30
There’s a little bit of what is called “apocalyptic” in Mark 13 - writing in code so that the wrong people won’t understand. Mark slips in the little phrase “let the reader understand” to warn us that this is going on. So this stuff is referring to events that would take place soon - when the Romans decided that they’d put up with Jewish insolence long enough and moved in to crush them, destroying the Temple in the process. The Romans wouldn’t have picked up these references, because Mark makes it sound like the days of the Maccabees, 3 centuries before. But Jews with a sense of history would know what he was talking about.
In al of this, Jesus is pushing one important message - keep alert, so that you don’t miss the moment. The parable of the wise and foolish virgins makes this clear, and Matthew’s version of the parable of the talents paints God as ruthless - the time for showing mercy and patience is over. This is your last chance, boys and girls - don’t blow it!
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