Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 13:12

"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." — Mark 13:12 (ASV)

The breaking of ties of natural affection would be another trial the disciples would have to face (cf. Micah 7:2–6). Only a fanatical hatred of the Gospel could bring about unnatural behavior such as these verses describe. That hatred will not be limited to relatives, but “all men will hate you” (v.13).

Testing will be another feature of the last times. Not all will stand the test, but he who endures to the end of his or her life will be saved. Jesus is not here setting forth a doctrine of salvation by works. He is rather emphasizing that genuine faith will issue in Christian living that will endure trial and persecution (cf. 2 Timothy 2:12). This section with its warning and encouragements, must have had special relevance for the life situation of the Roman church.

Since some of these verses occur elsewhere in Matthew and Luke (12:11–12; 21:12–17), Jesus probably gave these sayings on more than one occasion, or possibly Mark collated various sayings of Jesus from other contexts here because of their relevance.