Church Fathers Commentary Mark 13:9-13

"But take ye heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in synagogues shall ye be beaten; and before governors and kings shall ye stand for my sake, for a testimony unto them. And the gospel must first be preached unto all the nations. And when they lead you [to judgment], and deliver you up, be not anxious beforehand what ye shall speak: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye; for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child; and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name`s sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved." — Mark 13:9-13 (ASV)

The Venerable Bede: The Lord shows how Jerusalem and the province of Judea deserved to suffer such calamities in the following words: But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten.

For the greatest cause of destruction for the Jewish people was that, after slaying the Savior, they also tormented the heralds of His name and faith with wicked cruelty.

Theophylact of Ohrid: He also fittingly began by listing the things that concerned the Apostles, so that in their own tribulations they might find some comfort in their shared troubles and sufferings.

It continues: And ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them.

He says "kings and rulers," referring to figures like Agrippa, Nero, and Herod. His words, "for My sake," also gave them significant comfort, because they were about to suffer for Him. The phrase "for a testimony against them" means it serves as a preliminary judgment against them, leaving them without excuse, because even though the Apostles were working for the truth, they would not accept it.

Then, so that they would not think their preaching would be hindered by troubles and dangers, He adds: And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

St. Augustine of Hippo: Matthew adds, And then shall the end come (Matthew 24:14).¹

The Venerable Bede: Church historians testify that this was fulfilled. They report that long before the destruction of the province of Judea, all the Apostles were dispersed to preach the Gospel over the whole world, except for James the son of Zebedee and James the brother of our Lord, who had already shed their blood in Judea for the word of the Lord.

Since the Lord knew that the disciples' hearts would be saddened by the fall and destruction of their nation, He relieves them with this comfort. He lets them know that even after the rejection of the Jews, they would not lack companions in their joy and heavenly kingdom; indeed, many more would be gathered from all humanity than had perished in Judea.

Glossa Ordinaria: Another anxiety might also have arisen in the disciples' minds: after hearing they would be brought before kings and rulers, they might fear that their lack of knowledge and eloquence would make them unable to answer.

Therefore, our Lord comforts them by saying, But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye.

The Venerable Bede: For when we are led before judges for Christ's sake, our whole duty is to offer up our will for Christ. As for the rest, Christ Himself who dwells in us speaks for us, and the grace of the Holy Spirit will be given to us when we answer.

Therefore, it continues: For it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Theophylact of Ohrid: He also foretells a worse evil to them: that they would suffer persecution from their own relatives.

Therefore, it follows: Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death; and ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake.

The Venerable Bede: This has often been seen in times of persecution, nor can there be any firm affection among people who differ in faith.

Theophylact of Ohrid: He says this so that, upon hearing it, they might prepare themselves to bear persecutions and hardships with greater patience. Then He brings them comfort, saying, And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake.

Being hated for Christ's sake is a sufficient reason to endure persecutions patiently, for it is not the punishment, but the cause, that makes the martyr. Again, what follows is no small comfort in the midst of persecution: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

1. de Con. Evan., ii, 77