Mark 13:34

34 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.

Mark 13:34 in Other Translations

34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.

34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.

34 It's like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch.

34 It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his slaves, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert.

Mark 13:34 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 13:34

[For the son of man is] as a man taking a far journey
Or this case of the son of man's coming to take vengeance on the Jewish nation, is like a man that takes a journey into a far country. This puts me in mind of a question asked ^F13 by the Jews:

``what (hqwxr Krd) , "a far journey" from Modiim, and without.''

from Modiim, according to the Gemara ^F14, and commentators ^F15 on this passage, was a place fifteen miles from Jerusalem; so that, according to them, fifteen miles were reckoned a far journey ^F16.

Who left his house;
and his goods in it, to the care and management of others during his absence:

and gave authority to his servants;
to govern his house, and exercise power one over another, according to their different stations;

and to every man his work;
which he was to do, while he was gone, and to give him an account of when he returned:

and commanded the porter to watch;
his house, and take care that it was not broke open by thieves, and plundered of the substance that was in it. So Christ, when he ascended on high, went to heaven, the land afar off; left his house, his church, particularly in Judea, and at Jerusalem, to the care of his apostles, and gave authority to govern it, according to the laws, rules, and directions prescribed by him; and assigned every man his particular work, for which he gave him proper gifts and abilities; and ordered the porter to be on his watch, not Peter only, but all the apostles and ministers, whose business it is to watch over themselves, and the souls of men committed to their care.

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 Misn. Pesachim, c. 9. sect. 2.
F14 T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 93. 2.
F15 Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. ib.
F16 Maimon. Hilch. Korban Pesach. c. 5. sect. 9.

Mark 13:34 In-Context

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

34 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.

35 “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.

36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 25:14