Mar 13:1, Luk 21:5 | Barnes | STEP | MARK Chapter 13. Verse 1. The principal things in this chapter are fully explained in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew. 1. What manner of stones . The stones here referred to were those used in the building of the temple, and the walls on the sides of Mount Moriah on which the temple stood. The temple was constructed of white marble, and the blocks were of a prodigious size. Josephus says that these stones were some of them fifty feet long, twenty-four broad, and sixteen in thickness. (a) "And as he went out" , etc.

Mark 13:1

MARK Chapter 13.

Verse 1. The principal things in this chapter are fully explained in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew.

1. What manner of stones. The stones here referred to were those used in the building of the temple, and the walls on the sides of Mount Moriah on which the temple stood. The temple was constructed of white marble, and the blocks were of a prodigious size. Josephus says that these stones were some of them fifty feet long, twenty-four broad, and sixteen in thickness.

(a) "And as he went out" Mt 24:1, etc.

Luke 21:5

Verse 5. Goodly stones. Beautiful stones. Either referring to the large, square, and well-finished stones of which the eastern wall was built, or to the precious stones which might have been used in decorating the temple itself. Mk 13:1.

Gifts. This word properly denotes anything devoted or dedicated to God. Anciently warriors dedicated to their gods the spoils of war--the shields, and helmets, and armour, and garments of those slain in battle. These were suspended in the temples. It would seem that something of this kind had occurred in the temple of Jerusalem, and that the people, to express their gratitude to God, had suspended on the pillars and porches of the temple gifts and offerings. Josephus mentions particularly a golden vine with which Herod the Great had adorned the columns of the temple (Antiq. xiii. 8). See also 2 Mac. v. 16; ix. 16.