Mark 13:1-8

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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • Comparative texts about New Covenant Eschatology and Apocalyptic Speculation from  Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Targum, proto-Kabbala, Mishnah, Babylonian Talmud, and Midrash. At Rutgers University, Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus.
  • "Spirit Under Trial," "Temple and Jesus," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
  • XLI.29, 33, 38-39; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
  • On the Unity of the Church, Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250)
  • Epistle LXXIV -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 256)
  • From the Catena Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "The destruction of the temple, city, and whole nation is foretold, and the troubles of the Church: but yet there are many comforts added, and last of all, the end of the world is described."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "See how little Christ values outward pomp, where there is not real purity of heart. He looks with pity upon the ruin of precious souls, and weeps over them, but we do not find him look with pity upon the ruin of a fine house. Let us then be reminded how needful it is for us to have a more lasting abode in heaven, and to be prepared for it by the influences of the Holy Spirit, sought in the earnest use of all the means of grace."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "Two questions are here asked; the one concerning the destruction of Jerusalem: the other concerning the end of the world."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "They no doubt looked upon the date of all these things as one and the same, and their notions of the things themselves were as confused as of the times of them. Our Lord takes His own way of meeting their questions."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Mark 13:1-8, Henry Langknecht, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
    • "In the current culture, it's hard to gauge how people hear the predictions and imagery of apocalyptic literature."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • A Brief Commentary on the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 13, Carl W. Conrad. (Click superscript numbers for commentary.)
  • "Jesus Predicts the Fall of Temple and the Coming Tribulation," Michael A. Turton's Historical Commentary on the Gospel of Mark, "a complete verse-by-verse commentary on the Gospel of Mark, focusing on the historicity of people, places, events, and sayings in the world of the Gospel of Mark."
  • "Exegetical Considerations: 23 after Pentecost," Richard Carlson, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Using Greek for Sunday Text Preparations.
    • "At times of earthly cataclysms, what does Jesus want us to have as our focus and vision?"
  • "First Thoughts on Year B Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 24, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "The text cannot be made to give simple answers for today. It can however serve to invite us to enter the world of terror which so many know in our world."
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resoruces.
    • "I often struggle with what to express to a patient in the hospital or to the family. When does "Everything will be all right" need to indicate a healing in this life? When does "Everything will be all right" need to indicate the better life ahead?"
  • Preaching the Lesson, O Wesley Allen, Jr., Lectionary Homiletics sample.
    • "In other words, in the present we live toward the future. In our present salvation, we live toward our future salvation. This is the eschatological gift offered by the One who is not only Alpha but also Omega."
  • Progressive Involvement Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, 2009.
    • "For Mark, God is indeed intervening, but not in the form of fanatical and violent resistance to Rome.  God has come as one who suffers, one who reigns from a cross, which great act draws all things together to the goal, the eschaton, the new world of God."
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Mark 13:1-8, David Ewart, 2009.
    • "Whatever system of government may currently be in power, God's Royal Proclamation comes as a Word that evokes an accounting from - and possibly a confrontation with - earthly rulers. And as Jesus simply observes: don't be led astray, earthly rulers never accept accounting kindly. There will be resistance."
  • Join the Feast, Charlie Summers, Mark 13:1-8, Union-PSCE, 2009.
    • "I usually connect Mark 13 with the first Sunday of Advent. What difference does it make when we read it during the “Thanksgiving Season” in November? Or during our Stewardship season in the congregation? Where are we placing our trust? What rock are we building upon? What cost of discipleship are we willing to bear?"
  • "Eschatological Discourse," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
  • "The Last Days," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet," Marcus Felde, Sabbatheology, The Crossings Community, 2009.
    • "Believing in Jesus (instead of believing dire threat assessments) we get past the 'beginning of the birth pangs' as well as the 'actual birth pangs,' to actually be born into life that is not constrained by fear."
  • Marginally Mark, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • "Temple Talk," Keith D. Herron, The Christian Century, 2006.
    • "The promise of Jesus is that when our moment of truth comes we need not fear that we will lack the courage to say what is needed."
  • "Time's Up," Mary W. Anderson, The Christian Century, 2003.
    • "End times are powerful times pregnant with purpose for those with ears to hear and eyes to see the advent of our God."
  • "In Praise of the First Coming," Robin R. Meyers, The Christian Century, 2000.
    • "Can’t we believe that the kingdom both is and is yet to be, without thinking that God will someday slice the film in half, right in the middle of the movie? ...Is an 'intervention' the only way to redeem the incalculable suffering of the human race?"
  • "Be On Your Guard, Don't Be Duped, Deceived, or Distracted: 10 Warning Signs," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation.
    • "How do you respond to charges that Christianity has fomented hatred, violence, and evil?"
• Articles & Background:
  • "Mark 13: The Temple's Destruction," "Mark 13: Olivet Discourse," "Olivet Discourse - The Coming Apocalypse," wikipedia.
  • "Exegetical Eschatology, the Peasant Present and the Final Discourse Genre: The Case of Mark 13," Bruce J. Malina, Biblical Theology Bulletin, 2002.
    • "The nineteenth-century German theological terms 'apocalyptic' and 'eschatology' are misplaced and misleading when applied to New Testament documents in general and to the Synoptic final discourse in particular."
  • "Rhetorical Ritual: Apocalyptic Discourse in Mark 13," Vernon K. Robbins, Vision and Persuasion: Rhetorical Dimensions of Apocalyptic Discourse, ed. G Carey and L G Bloomquist, 1999.
  • "Jesus, Apocalyptic, and World Transformation," David B. Batstone. Theology Today, 1993.
    • "It is often overlooked how ideologically explosive the notion of the kingdom of God was within Jesus' own social milieu. In first-century Palestine, it did not have the same metaphorical and strictly religious connotation that makes the term so safe within our own theological world. In fact, it evoked the memory and visionary impulse of Yahweh who acts to deliver Yahweh's 'chosen ones' from occupation and oppression at the hands of alien nations. Intrinsic to that symbolic universe is the conviction that the chosen suffer and the unjust prosper in the present day only because history stands at the brink of a great reversal."
  • At K.C. Hanson and Douglas Oakman's excellent site Palestine in the Time of Jesus: Social Structures and Social Conflicts:
    • Jerusalem Temple Warning Inscription  
    • Model of the Herodian Temple
  • "Where Was the Temple of Herod?" Richley Crapo, Utah State University. Bible and Interpretation.
    • "Utah State University anthropologist says Dome of the Rock is not location of Herod's Temple."
  • What Shall We Believe, Aurelia T. Fule. Full text of book about New Testament apocalyptic references, online at Religion Online.
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  • Adams, Edward, "The Coming of the Son of Man in Mark's Gospel," Tyndale Bulletin, 2005.
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  • Anderson, Mary W., "Time's Up," The Christian Century, 2003.
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      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
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  • Batstone, David, "Jesus, Apocalyptic, and World Transformation," Theology Today, 1993.
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  • Beasley-Murray, G.R., "The Eschatological Discourse of Jesus," Review and Expositor, 1960.
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  • Collins, John J., "The Zeal of Phinehas: The Bible and the Legitimation of Violence," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2003.
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  • Deppe, Dean B., "Charting the Future or Perspective on the Present?" Calvin Theological Journal, 2006.
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  • Driggers, Ira Brent, "The Politics of Divine Presence: Temple as Locus of Conflict in the Gospel of Mark," Biblical Interpretation, 2007.
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  • Edelman, Marian Wright, "A Parent, Community, and National Audit: Who Are Our Children Modeling?" The Living Pulpit, 2003.
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  • Elliott, J.K., "The Position of the Verb in Mark with Special Reference to Chapter 13," Novum Testamentum, 1996.
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  • Fair, Fairfax Fullerton, "Between Text and Sermon: Mark 13:1-8," Interpretation, 2004. (See also entire issue: Violence in the Bible, Interpretation, 2004.)
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  • Fee, Gordon D., "Preaching Apocalyptic? You've Got to Be Kidding!" Calvin Theological Journal, 2006.
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  • Heil, John Paul, "The Narrative Strategy and Pragmatics of the Temple Theme in Mark," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1997.
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  • Herron, Keith D., "Temple Talk," The Christian Century, 2006.
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  • Hulst, Mary S., "Strange Comfort: A Sermon on Mark 13," Calvin Theological Journal, 2006.
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  • Johnson, Stephen C., "The 'Future' of Preaching: Apocalyptic Eschatology and Christian Proclamation," Restoration Quarterly, 2007.
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  • Meyers, Robin R., "In Praise of the First Coming," The Christian Century, 2000.
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  • Myers, Ched, "As a Child: Jesus' Solidarity with the Least of the Least," The Living Pulpit, 2003.
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  • Parsons, Howard L., "The Commitments of Jesus and Marx: Resources for the Challenge and Necessity of Cooperation," Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 1985.
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  • Pippin, Tina, "A Good Apocalypse is Hard to Find: Crossing the Apocalyptic Borders of Mark 13," Semeia, 1995.
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• Reviews:
• Sermons:
  • "The End of the World," "Suddenly," Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "Flip the Script," the Rev. Dr. Kathi Martin, Day 1, 2003.
  • "When?" John Jewell, 2000.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily, Ordinary 33, 2003.
• With Children:
  • "Be Careful Who You Follow," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • Mark 13 & 14 Crossword, Don Crownover's Bible Puzzles.
• Drama:
  • "A New Heaven and Earth," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
  • "Greener Pastures," Eric Stapleton, dramatix.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Mark 13:1-8 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • Commercial Site: "Rumors of War," Visual Liturgy/Film, The Work of the People.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Mark 13:7, 8. The Cyber Hymnal.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Apocalyptic
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Mark