Mark 13:34

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

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.


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, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.
34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.
35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn,
36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.