Cornelius a Lapide
Table of Contents
Synopsis of the Chapter
Christ gives signs preceding the destruction of the city (Jerusalem) and of the world: of the city, the abomination of desolation, verse 14; of the world, the preaching of the Gospel throughout the whole world, verse 10; and the darkening of the sun and moon, and the falling of the stars from heaven, verse 24. Finally, verse 32, He teaches that this day is unknown to all, and therefore that each one ought to be vigilant and continually prepare himself for it.
Vulgate Text: Mark 13:1-37
1. And as He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him: Master, behold what stones, and what buildings. 2. And Jesus answering said to him: Do you see all these great buildings? There shall not be left a stone upon a stone that shall not be thrown down. 3. And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew asked Him privately. 4. Tell us when these things shall be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall begin to be accomplished? 5. And Jesus answering began to say to them: Take heed that no one deceive you: 6. for many will come in My name, saying, I am He, and they will deceive many. 7. And when you shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars, do not be afraid: for these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 8. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom over kingdom; and there shall be earthquakes in places, and famines. These are the beginnings of sorrows. 9. But see to yourselves. For they will hand you over to councils, and in synagogues you shall be beaten, and you shall stand before governors and kings for My sake as a testimony against them. 10. And unto all nations first the Gospel must be preached. 11. And when they shall lead you away and hand you over, do not think beforehand what you shall say; but whatever shall be given you in that hour, that speak: for it is not you who are speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12. But brother shall hand over brother to death, and father the son; and children shall rise up against parents, and put them to death. 13. And you shall be hated by all for My name. But he who endures to the end, he shall be saved. 14. And when you shall see the abomination of desolation, standing where it ought not (let him who reads understand): then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; 15. and he who is on the rooftop, let him not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house; 16. and he who shall be in the field, let him not return back to take his garment. 17. But woe to those who are with child and giving suck in those days. 18. But pray that these things may not come to pass in winter. 19. For in those days shall be such tribulations, as were not from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, nor ever shall be. 20. And unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect whom He has chosen, He has shortened the days. 21. And then if anyone shall say to you: Behold, here is Christ, behold there, do not believe him. 22. For false christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall give signs and wonders to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23. Therefore see: behold, I have foretold you all things. 24. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light; 25. and the stars of the heaven shall be falling down, and the powers that are in heaven shall be moved. 26. And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27. And then He shall send His angels, and shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. 28. Now from the fig tree learn a parable. When the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves have come forth, you know that summer is very near: 29. so also you, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that it is very near, even at the doors. 30. Amen I say to you, this generation shall not pass away until all these things be done. 31. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away. 32. But of that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father. 33. Take heed, watch, and pray: for you know not when the time is. 34. Even as a man who going abroad left his house, and gave to his servants authority over every work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35. Watch therefore (for you know not when the Lord of the house comes: at evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning). 36. Lest coming suddenly, He find you sleeping. 37. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch.
Verse 1: What Buildings
1. WHAT BUILDINGS. — How magnificent was the structure of the temple and of its columns, see in Josephus, book XV of the Antiquities, chapter 14, and in Bede, Ribera, and Villalpandus, On the Temple.
Verse 6: Saying, That I Am He
6. SAYING, THAT (namely) I AM HE, — that is, the Messiah or Christ, as Matthew has it at 24:5.
Verse 11: Be Not Thoughtful Beforehand What You Shall Speak
11. BE NOT THOUGHTFUL BEFOREHAND WHAT YOU SHALL SPEAK. — In Greek, μὴ προμεριμνᾶτε, that is, do not be anxious beforehand, do not be worried and anxious ahead of time, do not think anxiously in advance. The Greek and the Syriac add: Neither take thought by what art, manner, elegance, or reasoning you shall speak and respond to governors and tyrants; "but whatever shall be given (suggested by the Holy Spirit) to you in that hour, that speak;" the Arabic: because you shall be endowed in that hour with what you are to speak; for the Holy Spirit shall suggest to you both spirit and boldness and reasons and manners of speaking, which no one shall be able to resist or contradict.
Verse 32: But of That Day or Hour No One Knows, Neither the Angels in Heaven, Nor the Son, but the Father
32. BUT OF THAT DAY OR HOUR NO ONE KNOWS, NEITHER THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN, NOR THE SON, BUT THE FATHER. — How this is to be understood, I have explained at Matthew 24:36.