Mar 13:30-31 | TNotes | STEP | 13:30 This generation was to witness the fulfillment of these events. That generation did witness the destruction of Jerusalem. Those, however, who hold that all these things refers to the coming of the Son of Man have to interpret this generation as meaning something other than “people alive at this time.” It could refer to the continued existence of the Jewish people, the whole human race, the Christian community, or the last generation of the end time.

a13:30►

b13:31►

cMark 13:1-37►

dLuke 1:2►

eIsa 40:8►

fPs 102:25-26►

gIsa 40:6-8►

h51:6►

iMatt 5:18►

jLuke 16:17►

k2 Pet 3:7►

l10►

mRev 20:11►

‏ Mark 13:30-31

13:30 ^a This generation was to witness the fulfillment of these events. That generation did witness the destruction of Jerusalem. Those, however, who hold that all these things refers to the coming of the Son of Man have to interpret this generation as meaning something other than “people alive at this time.” It could refer to the continued existence of the Jewish people, the whole human race, the Christian community, or the last generation of the end time.
13:31 ^b Jesus personally guaranteed what he had said. My words include specifically what Jesus said in the whole discourse of Mark 13:1-37 ^c. Mark’s readers would have understood this as guaranteeing the truth of all Jesus’ teachings known to them (Luke 1:2 ^d). Like the Old Testament Scriptures (see Isa 40:8 ^e), Jesus’ words are eternal. His teachings are more abiding than the fundamental elements of creation. The basic elements of creation will pass away (see also Ps 102:25-26 ^f; Isa 40:6-8 ^g; 51:6 ^h; Matt 5:18 ⁱ; Luke 16:17 ^j; 2 Pet 3:7 ^k, 10 ^l; Rev 20:11 ^m), but Jesus’ words will never disappear.