THE OLIVET DISCOURSE: WATCHFULNESS. Mark 13 THIRTY TWO THROUGH THIRTY SEVENTY

THE OLIVET DISCOURSE: WATCHFULNESS

Mark 13:32-37

"But About That Day Or Hour No One Knows, Not Even The Angels In Heaven, Nor The Son, But Only The Father.

Be On Guard! Be Alert! You Do Not Know When That Time Will Come.

It's Like A Man Going Away: He Leaves His House And Puts His Servants In Charge, Each With Their Assigned Task, And Tells The One At The Door To Keep Watch.

Therefore Keep Watch Because You Do Not Know When The Owner Of The House Will Come Back—Whether In The Evening, Or At Midnight, Or When The Rooster Crows, Or At Dawn.

If He Comes Suddenly, Do Not Let Him Find You Sleeping. What I Say To You, I Say To Everyone: 'Watch!'

OUTLINE

The Uncertainty Of The Time (v. 32)

No One Knows The Day Or Hour

Not Even Angels Or The Son Know

Only The Father Knows

The Call To Watchfulness (v. 33-34)

Be On Guard And Alert

Analogy Of A Man Going Away

Servants Given Responsibilities

The Importance Of Constant Vigilance (v. 35-36)

Uncertainty Of The Master's Return

Four Possible Times Of Return

Warning Against Being Found Sleeping

The Universal Application (v. 37)

Command To Watch Applies To All

COMMENTARY

This Passage, Part Of The Olivet Discourse, Emphasizes The Importance Of

Watchfulness And Readiness For Christ's Return.

SEVERAL KEY POINTS EMERGE:

The Sovereignty Of God:

Only The Father Knows The Exact Time Of Christ's Return, Highlighting God's Supreme Authority And Omniscience.

The Humanity Of Christ:

Jesus' Statement That Even He Doesn't Know The Time Underscores His Voluntary Limitation In His Incarnate State, Affirming Both His Deity And His Genuine Human Nature.

The Certainty Of Christ's Return:

While The Timing Is Unknown, The Reality Of Christ's Second Coming Is Presented As A Certainty, Reinforcing This Core Eschatological Belief.

The Call To Spiritual Vigilance:

The Repeated Command To "watch" Emphasizes The Need For Constant Spiritual Readiness And Faithful Service In Light Of Christ's Imminent Return.

The Responsibility Of Believers:

The Analogy Of Servants With Assigned Tasks Suggests That Believers Have Specific Responsibilities In God's Kingdom While Awaiting Christ's Return.

The Unexpected Nature Of Christ's Return:

The Warning Against Being Found "sleeping" Reinforces The Belief That Christ Will Return Suddenly And Unexpectedly, Calling For Perpetual Preparedness.

The Universal Application:

The Final Statement That This Command Is For Everyone Indicates That Watchfulness Is Not Just For A Select Few, But For All Believers Throughout History.

This Passage Serves As A Sobering Reminder Of The Need:

For Spiritual Alertness.

For Faithful Service In Light Of Christ's Assured But Unpredictable Return.

For Believers To Live With An Eternal Perspective.

For Believers To Always Be Ready To Give An Account Of Their Stewardship.