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Mark 13:8

8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

Mark 13:8 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 13:8

For nation shall rise against nation
The nations of the world one against another, and the Romans against the Jews, and the Jews against them:

and kingdom against kingdom;
which is a synonymous phrase with the former, and what the Jews call, (twnwv twlm) , "different words", expressing the same thing, often used in their commentaries:

and there shall be earthquakes in divers places;
of the world:

and there shall be famines:
especially in Judea, as in the times of Claudius Caesar, and at the siege of Jerusalem:

and troubles;
public ones of various sorts, as tumults, seditions, murders This word is omitted in the Vulgate Latin, and Ethiopic versions.

These are the beginnings of sorrows;
as of a woman with child, as the word signifies; whose pains before, though they are the beginnings and pledges of what shall come after, are not to be compared with those that immediately precede, and attend the birth of the child: and so all those troubles, which should be some time before the destruction of Jerusalem, would be but small, but light afflictions, the beginning of sorrows, in comparison of what should immediately go before, and attend that desolation; (See Gill on Matthew 24:7), (See Gill on Matthew 24:8).

Mark 13:8 In-Context

6 Many will come in my name and say, "I am he!' and they will lead many astray.
7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come.
8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
9 "As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them.
10 And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations.
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.