Second Coming of Christ and Incarnational Submission
Because Christ’s return is certain but its timing unknown, believers must live watchfully.
Mark 13:32–37 (BSB)
32 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33 Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come.
34 It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch.
35 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning.
36 Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping.
37 And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!”
What is the big idea of Mark 13:32–37?
Because Christ’s return is certain but its timing unknown, believers must live watchfully.
How does Mark 13:32–37 point to Christ?
The Son who humbled Himself in obedience and died for sinners will return in glory; those redeemed by His cross live watchfully, awaiting the consummation secured by His resurrection.
How does Mark 13:32–37 relate to the life and ministry of Jesus?
Jesus now declares, 'But concerning that day or that hour (περὶ δὲ τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης ἢ τῆς ὥρας), no one knows (οὐδεὶς οἶδεν, oudeis oiden, G1492, din-G1492), not even the angels in heaven (οὐδὲ οἱ ἄγγελοι ἐν οὐρανῷ), nor the Son (οὐδὲ ὁ Υἱός, oude ho Huios, G5207, din-G5207), but only the Father (εἰ μὴ ὁ Πατήρ, ho Patēr, G3962, din-G3962). Take heed (Βλέπετε, Blepete, G991, din-G991), keep alert (ἀγρυπνεῖτε, agrypneite, G69, din-G69); for you do not know when the time (καιρός, kairos, G2540, din-G2540) will come. It is like a man going on a journey (ἀπόδημος), who left his house and put his servants in charge (ἔδωκεν τοῖς δούλοις, edōken tois doulois), each with his work (ἔργον, ergon, G2041, din-G2041), and commanded the doorkeeper to stay awake (γρηγορῇ, grēgorē, G1127, din-G1127). Therefore stay awake (γρηγορεῖτε), for you do not know when the master of the house will come (ἔρχεται, erchetai, G2064, din-G2064), in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly (ἐξαίφνης, exaiphnēs, G1810, din-G1810) and find you asleep (καθεύδοντας, katheudontas, G2518, din-G2518). What I say to you I say to all: Stay awake (Γρηγορεῖτε). The life of Jesus here reveals both His incarnational humility in relation to the Father and His sovereign authority to command vigilance; He prepares His disciples not with dates but with disciplined watchfulness.
Authorial Intent
To exhort continual watchfulness and faithful service because the timing of Christ’s return is unknown.
Literary Context
This concludes the Olivet Discourse, shifting from prophetic signs to ethical exhortation. It parallels the watchfulness theme leading into Gethsemane (14:32–42).
Historical Context
Jewish time divisions of the night are referenced. The declaration concerning the Son’s knowledge reflects incarnational humility within Trinitarian economy.
Chapter: Mark 13
Watch and Endure: Temple Judgment, Gospel Witness, Tribulation, the Son of Man, and Readiness
Jesus announces the destruction of the temple, prepares his disciples for deception, persecution, gospel witness, desolating distress, and cosmic upheaval, and commands them to endure and watch for the coming Son of Man whose words will never pass away.