Mark 13:1-8

Context

In the Book of Mark

Mark 13 contains the “Olivet Discourse,” also called “the Little Apocalypse.” At the beginning of this chapter (and our reading), the disciples marvel at Herod’s spectacular (and at that time partly unfinished) temple. Jesus dampens their admiration by predicting its utter destruction. A short time later, while on the Mount of Olives (halfway between Bethany and Jerusalem), Peter, James, and John ask Jesus about this prophecy.

But before looking at Mark 13, we should take stock of where we are in the book of Mark. The bigger picture is very relevant.

In Mark 11, Jesus entered Jerusalem with much fanfare. For the disciples and the crowd, their messianic hopes look…