Mark 13:9-13

His People will Be Successful But Persecuted (13:9-13).

Jesus now made clear to His disciples something of the future that awaited them amidst the tumults in the world. They had witnessed the opposition to Jesus and the powerful emotions that had been aroused against Him. They had seen what had happened to John the Baptiser. But now they were to recognise that the same would happen to them as well. And it would not be long before it was so. These words were as much preparatory for the future as John 14-16, which included similar thoughts (John 15:20; John 16:2).

Analysis.

a “But beware for yourselves” (Mark 13:9 a).

b “For they will deliver you up to councils and you will be beaten in synagogues” (Mark 13:9 b).

c “And you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them” (Mark 13:9 c).

d “And the Good News must first be preached to all nations” (Mark 13:10).

c “And when they lead you and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand what you will say, but whatever is given to you in that hour, that speak, for it is not you who speak but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11).

b “And brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. And children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all men, for My name's sake” (Mark 13:12 a).

a “But he who endures to the end, the same will be saved” (Mark 13:13 b).

Note that in ‘a' they are to beware for themselves, while in the parallel they are to ensure that they endure. In ‘b' they will find that their fellow Jews persecute them, and in the parallel this will even be true of their close families. In ‘c' they will be brought before governors and kings to give testimony, and in the parallel when they are delivered up they are not to fear, for the Holy Spirit will guide their testimony. Centrally in ‘d' the Good News (of the Kingly Rule of God - Mark 1:14) will be proclaimed among all nations.