COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 137
“ Mark 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6 For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.”
(Mark 13:5-7; Matt 24:4-6; Lk 21:8-9)
WARNINGS AND ALERTS
INTRODUCTION
The very fact that these words were spoken very near to the time when Jesus was betrayed, is good reason to give special heed to them. They were especially important because of the time. In just a day or so, the disciples will be put to the greatest test they have ever experienced. For the first time, they will all forsake Christ. Jesus knows this, and therefore speaks to them of things most critical – things that will better prepare them for the future. Later Jesus will tell them that when the Holy Spirit comes, He will bring Christ’s words to their remembrance (John 14:26). I have no doubt, that the discourse He now delivers to these eager disciples what will rank high in the words the Spirit will enable them to recall. Once they are recalled, the Spirit will also shed light upon them, guiding the disciples into all truth as Jesus said He would (John 16:13). Because this Olivet discourse has been greatly muddled by succeeding generations, the church has tended to either neglect it altogether, or treat it as being totally fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem. I find it exceedingly difficult to believe that Jesus would deliver such a lengthy discourse concerning a temporal judgment alone. For the destruction of Jerusalem was not intended to make a full end of it. Jesus will make this clear in the words that follow. There are things said in this text that have challenged the most prodigious spiritual thinkers throughout history. Every believer can profit from them, and be duly warned concerning great spiritual disturbances and perilous times. Let us gird up the loins of our minds and prepare to glean in a field that is designed to cause hope to flourish.
TAKE HEED LEST ANY MAN DECEIVE YOU
“ Mark 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you.”
Jesus is seated on the Mount of Olives, and Peter, James, John, and Andrew have approached Jesus privately. Their approach testifies to their respect for Jesus, and their complete dependence upon His word. The question that had been asked Jesus was, “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” (13:4). Matthew gives the more extensive version of the question: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matt 24:3).
These disciples do not ask Jesus questions like the Pharisees did (Mk 10:2), or the scribes (Mk 7:5), or the Sadducees (Mk 12:18), or even that rich young ruler who inquired about eternal life (Mk 10:17). Their motives were more pure, their quest more fervent, and their reliance more complete. While they had asked Jesus a question about what the scribes taught (Mk 9:11), this time their question was more noble and more focused. They asked Jesus about what HE had said.
BEGAN TO SAY. It is frequently said of Jesus that He “began to say” (Matt 11:7; Lk 4:21; Lk 11:29; 12:1). This expression emphasizes the thoroughness of our Lord’s words. He spoke out of the rich reservoir of His knowledge and grasp of the truth, and with a complete understanding of all things. He also knew what was appropriate to say, and who should hear it. The word “began” comes from a word that means “to commence from the beginning.” LOUW-NIDA In this case, it meant Jesus started at the proper place, and proceeded to the appropriate conclusion. Note how Jesus begins His answer. It has great significance.
TAKE HEED. Then Gospels contain fourteen references to Jesus saying “Take heed,” covering eleven different occasions. They are translated from a single Greek word that means “to have understanding, to discern, perceive, understand,” THAYER “careful observing, watch, beware,” FRIBERG “to see to it, take care.” GINGRICH Jesus taught that men are responsible for being perceptive, understanding, and discerning. They are to see to it that they are not ignorant or unlearned about critical matters. This is a most difficult assignment in a society such as our own, that is largely hedonistic – enamored of pleasure and entertainment. Even in matters relating to the worship of God Almighty, men speak of having fun, enjoying themselves, etc. A great emphasis is placed on feeling and appearance – neither of which are to be trusted. I am persuaded that if Jesus walked in our society as He did in Galilee, He would have very few requests to speak in the churches. His words were too demanding for as lethargic society. He told people to take heed and beware of certain people (Matt 16:6) and to take heed how they heard. The apostles told those who labored for the Lord to take how heed they built on the foundation (1 Cor 3:10), to take heed to themselves (1 Tim 4:16), and to take heed to the Gospel (2 Pet 1:19). Taking heed calls for a posture of alertness and spiritual intelligence.
LEST ANY MAN DECEIVE YOU. And what are they to discern, beware of, and guard against? They are not to allow themselves to be deceived by any man! Those who follow Christ are responsible for seeing to it that they are NOT deceived. They are to see to it they are not simple, and easy to be persuaded of something that is not true. By saying “lest any man deceive you,” Jesus means that it is possible to make a place for the devil (Eph 4:27), having an unguarded moment when the deceiver can convince you of something that is not true. To put it another way, if you do not take heed, being spiritually alert and vigilant, you WILL be deceived, for Satan always seizes upon such opportunities. Matthew reads, “that no man deceive you” (Matt 24:4). Luke reads, “that ye be not deceived” (Lk 21:8), emphasizing the condition of being deceived rather than the means through which the deception comes.
While it is true that being deceived in any area is wrong, Jesus particularly focuses on being deceived regarding the matters of which He has spoken: the destruction of Jerusalem, His own coming, and the end of the world. Notwithstanding His warning, and solemn injunction to take heed in the areas of teaching, the coming of the Lord and the end of the world are among the doctrines that been corrupted most of all. It is as though the devil heard his words, and commenced the development of doctrines that would tend to obscure and muddle rather than clarify and stabilize the thinking of the people.
If men are to take heed not to be deceived in these areas, why have men allowed the church to become so grossly ignorant in them? Why can religious charlatans hawk their fictitious books concerning the coming of Christ and the end of the world among Christians? Why have church leaders failed to expound these matters to the people? Why are the writings of men on these subjects more popular and better known than what Jesus and the apostles had said on them? Or, are there people who are oblivious to this circumstance? Does anyone of sound mind imagine that the words of our text do not apply to them? Do the contextual fanatics imagine that they only apply to Peter, James, John, and Andrew?
It ought to be noted that the worst of all exploitation is that which capitalizes on the words of Jesus. Those who use His words to build careers and sell books are the worst of all.
MANY WILL COME IN MY NAME
“ 6 For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
The reason for Christ’s sober warning is the onslaught of delusion that was coming. The increase of delusion demands that there be a corresponding increase in alertness, vigilance, and discernment. Even the world knows this is the only proper response to impending danger. When the possibility of a terrorist attack increases, the nation is put on a high alert. If there is a hurricane or tornado approaching, all kinds of warnings are issued. Special devices are sounded to make people aware of impending disaster. Areas are even evacuated when serious danger is known, and provisions are made to move people to a place of safety. Men do know what to do in the time of danger. Now, we will see how seriously they will take the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, who knows all things, and speaks with the interest of His people in mind.
MANY SHALL COME IN MY NAME. Other versions read, “using My name,” GWN “assuming My name,” WEYMOUTH “bearing the name,” WILLIAMS and “appropriating to themselves the name.” AMPLIFIED That is, they will come declaring that they will do what the promised Messiah was promised to do. They will say they can accomplish that the promised Christ was prophesied to do (Deut 18:15,18). They declare they are the answer to the need of the people. They say they are the ones upon whom the Spirit of the Lord rests (Isa 61:1-4).
Concerning these deceivers, Josephus said, “The land was overrun with magicians, seducers, and impostors, who drew the people after them in multitudes into solitudes and deserts, to see the signs and miracles which they promised to show by the power of God.” Among these are mentioned particularly Dositheus, the Samaritan, who affirmed that He was Christ; Simon Magus (Acts 8:9-10), who said He appeared among the Jews as the Son of God; and Theudas (Act 5:36), who persuaded many to go with him to the river Jordan, to see the waters divided.
It is interesting to note that one of the official titles of the Pope of Rome is “the Vicar of Christ.” The following is taken from the Catholic Encyclopedia: “. . . the title Vicar of Christ is more expressive of his supreme headship of the Church on earth, which he bears in virtue of the commission of Christ and with vicarial power derived from Him.” NEW ADVENT CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA The word “vicar” means “one serving as a substitute or agent: specifically: an administrative deputy.” That is a classic example of someone coming “in the name” of Christ, from the ordinary point of view.
SAYING, “I AM CHRIST.” While the words “in My name” might be considered as meaning by Christ’s authority, or with His blessing, Jesus takes the matter further than that. He says the deceivers would claim to actually be Him: “I am Christ!” Luke says, “the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them!” (Lk 21:8).
There have been men who made this claim. One of Scriptural note is Simon, who was noted for being “the great power of God” (Acts 9:10). Historians also affirm “the names of 24 false Messiahs are recorded as having appeared between the time of the Emperor Adrian and the year 1682.” ALBERT BARNES
However, of more immediate relevance is the apostolic doctrine concerning other Christs who were not encapsulated in a particular man in the flesh, but in a false gospel. This represents an even more subtle attack by the wicked one. Paul alluded to these Christ-imposters in Second Corinthians, referring to them as “another Jesus whom we have not preached” (2 Cor 11:4). Later in this very discourse, Jesus will refer to the aggregate of these imposters as “false Christs” (13:22). These imposters make claim to attributes that belong to Jesus alone. Yet, they have no power to do what He does. Like all idols, they are personalized by demons (Deut 32:17), who spread their damnable heresies among men (1 Tim 4:1).
Paul wrote to the Corinthians that they he did not want them to “have fellowship with devils,” or demons (1 Cor
10:20). He also said that these demons spread a spiritual table from which men could eat and drink. Yet, one could not eatfrom the Lord’s table if they did (1 Cor 10:21). We are speaking about very real unseen personalities, who perpetrate very real doctrines, and have very real influences. It is the solemn responsibility of every professing follower of Christ to see to it that they are not taken in by such deceivers
AND SHALL DECEIVE MANY. Both Matthew and Mark relate the words of Jesus: “and shall deceive many.” Other versions read “mislead many,” NASB and “lead many astray.” NRSV That is, they will throw the people off course, lead them to adopt the wrong emphasis, and effectively direct them to the broad road that leads to destruction. Jesus is the real “Way,” but these will put men on another way. This will not be a small uprising that will quickly die out. It will be a pervasive delusion during which a great “falling away” will occur (2 Thess 2:3). It will lead many to “depart from the faith,” and give “heed to seducing spirits” (1 Tim 4:1).
However, the only ones who will not be deceived will be those who took Christ’s warning seriously – those who saw to it that they were not deceived. The rest, because of their failure to do this, will be vulnerable to these pretenders, and will embrace strong delusion.
RUMORS – BUT THE END IS NOT YET
“ 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.”
Jesus now begins to identify some signs that will attend the destruction of Jerusalem, His own coming, and the end of the world. They are ominous signs that indicate agitation, social upheaval, and natural turbulence. Disorder, animosity, and political fermentation will take place. Jesus is teaching His disciples to associate such phenomena with proper things, and not to learn to live with them as though they were normalities rather than indicators.
YE SHALL HEAR. Reports would come to their ears of political turbulence and upheaval. Although at the time of this prophecy Rome was in a state of peace, historians say that shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem “Four emperors, Nero, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, suffered violent deaths in the short space of eighteen months. As a consequence of this, bloody wars broke out. “Under Cureanus the Roman governor, a sedition was raised on the day of the passover, in which twenty thousand perished; after that, in another tumult, ten thousand were destroyed by cut- throats: in Ascalon two thousand more, in Ptolemais two thousand, at Alexandria fifty thousand, at Damascus ten thousand, and elsewhere in great numbers.” Vid. Joseph. Antiq. 50:20. c. 6. & de Bello Jud. 50:2 As Jesus will confirm later, similar disturbances will precede His coming and the end of the world. It ought to be noted that signs are given to be seen, digested, and to constrain men to make preparations for what follows.
WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS. Luke says “wars and commotions,” “disturbances,” NASB or “revolutions.” NIV (Lk 21:9). Wars are conflicts that were taking place. I gather that the immediate opposition would be to the Jews, as the judgment of Jerusalem drew near. Rumors of wars were intentions that had not yet been carried out. Josephus says that Bardanes, and after him Vologeses, declared war against the Jews, but it was not carried into execution, Antig. xx. 34. He also says that Vitellius, governor of Syria, declared war against Aretas, king of Arabia, and wished to lead his army through Palestine, but the death of Tiberius prevented the war, Antiq. xviii. 5. 3. The social and political environment would be filled with reports of nations clashing, and of nations set in opposition to one another. Although God had ordained government (Rom 13:1-7), yet because of iniquity and imminent judgment against those who committed it, the fabric of society would begin to come apart.
Men may ascribe various causes to the appearance of such conflict. They might say it was owing to a deterioration of morality, or the decline of involvement of men in noble causes, or the breakdown of the family unit. Perhaps it could be raced to the rise of an appetite for entertainment, or the lust for the things of the world. While there is a measure of truth in those observations, they are not precise enough. Jesus does not say these signs are the evidence of the fall of a nation, or are indicators of the rise of iniquity. Rather, these are signs of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, signs of His coming, and signs of the end of the world. They are indications that iniquity is already on the throne, and God has already been renounced. They are confirmation that judgment is coming – a judgment that cannot be reversed or averted.
BE NOT TROUBLED. Matthew and Mark read “be not troubled.” Luke reads, “be not terrified.” That is, do not be troubled or terrified concerning the reports of wars and rumors of wars. Do not be distracted by these things, so that fear moves to the throne of the heart displacing faith. “Troubled” is a word related to hopelessness, despair, and cries of fear. It is an inward experience that disorients the soul, and causes alarm and unsettling. In this case, it is the opposite of faith and peace that settle the soul, enabling the individual to proceed properly.
SUCH THINGS MUST NEEDS BE. Mark reads, “such things must needs be.” Matthew reads, “these things must come to pass” (Matt 24:6). Luke reads, “for these things must first come to pass” (Lk 21:9). That is, there is no way to avert these things, so do not allow yourselves to be diverted by them. These are Divine appointments – that is why they “must be.” They are the means by which God will alert His people to what is coming in order that they might make due preparations for them. He will not necessarily insulate them from such things, but will make provision for them to respond appropriately. Although wars and rumors of wars sound as though chaos is taking over, they are all being strictly managed by the Lord. The situation will not be out of control, although thoughtless men will think it is.
THE END IS NOT YET. These signs are the beginning, not the end. They are the prelude, not the symphony. The “end” of which He speaks specifically relates to the destruction of Jerusalem, when one Temple stone would not be left upon another. However, it generally applies to His coming, and the end of the world as well. He will inform them later that there will be other signs that will alert the people to the need for taking special measures.
“The end” is an appointed end, whether we are speaking of Jerusalem or the world. For Jerusalem, Jesus announced “Your house is left unto you desolate” (Matt 23:38), “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles” (Lk 21:24), and “ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say. . .” (Matt 23:39). A moral line had been crossed, and a Divine judgment had been determined that would not be reversed. We learn from this of the seriousness of continually rejecting the Lord’s Christ. There comes a time when the judgment of the ungodly is cast in stone.