Mark 13:16 - The Abomination of Desolation

Audio Bible

Context

The Abomination of Desolation
…15Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. 16And let no one in the field return for his cloak. 17How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers!…

Cross References

Matthew 24:17-18
Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.Luke 17:31
On that day, let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions. Likewise, let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind.Luke 21:21
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city.Genesis 19:17
As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”Jeremiah 48:6
‘Flee! Run for your lives! Become like a juniper in the desert.’Isaiah 24:18
Whoever flees the sound of panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are open, and the foundations of the earth are shaken.1 Samuel 19:12
So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped.2 Kings 7:15
And they tracked them as far as the Jordan, and indeed, the whole way was littered with the clothing and equipment the Arameans had thrown off in haste. So the scouts returned and told the king.2 Kings 9:3
Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run. Do not delay!”2 Kings 9:10
And on the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour Jezebel, and there will be no one to bury her.’” Then the young prophet opened the door and ran.2 Kings 9:13
Quickly, each man took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. Then they blew the ram’s horn and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”2 Kings 9:15
but King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he had suffered at the hands of the Arameans in the battle against Hazael their king.) So Jehu said, “If you commanders wish to make me king, then do not let anyone escape from the city to go and tell it in Jezreel.”2 Kings 9:17
Now the watchman standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, and he called out, “I see a company of troops!” “Choose a rider,” Joram commanded. “Send him out to meet them and ask, ‘Have you come in peace?’”2 Kings 9:19
So the king sent out a second horseman, who went to them and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.”2 Kings 9:21
“Harness!” Joram shouted, and they harnessed his chariot. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah set out, each in his own chariot, and met Jehu on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite.

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Mark 13

And let no one in the field
This phrase emphasizes urgency and immediacy. In the context of Mark 13, Jesus is speaking about the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the end times. The field represents daily life and work, suggesting that when the signs of the end appear, there will be no time for hesitation. This urgency is echoed in other biblical passages, such as Luke 17:31, where Jesus warns against returning to retrieve possessions. The field also symbolizes the world and its distractions, reminding believers to focus on spiritual readiness.

return for his cloak
The cloak, or outer garment, was an essential item in ancient times, often used for warmth and as a blanket at night. In the cultural context, returning for a cloak signifies attachment to material possessions. Jesus' instruction not to return for it highlights the need to prioritize spiritual preparedness over earthly concerns. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical theme of detachment from worldly goods, as seen in Matthew 6:19-21, where believers are encouraged to store up treasures in heaven. The cloak can also be seen as a metaphor for the old life, which must be left behind in the pursuit of God's kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this passage, providing prophetic teaching about the end times to His disciples.

2. Disciples
The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all believers who are to heed His warnings.

3. Fields
Symbolic of daily life and work, representing the normal activities of people during the time of tribulation.

4. Cloak
A garment representing personal possessions or security, which one might be tempted to retrieve in times of crisis.

5. End Times
The broader context of this passage, where Jesus describes the events leading up to His second coming.

Teaching Points

Urgency in Obedience
Jesus' instruction to not return for one's cloak underscores the urgency of obedience in times of spiritual crisis. Believers must be ready to act swiftly and decisively when God calls.

Detachment from Material Possessions
The cloak symbolizes earthly possessions and security. This passage teaches the importance of holding loosely to material things, prioritizing spiritual readiness over physical comfort.

Focus on Eternal Priorities
In times of trial, believers are reminded to focus on eternal priorities rather than temporal concerns. This aligns with the call to seek first the Kingdom of God.

Preparedness for Christ's Return
The passage serves as a reminder to live in a state of readiness for Christ's return, emphasizing vigilance and spiritual alertness.

Verse 16. - And let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloke (τὸ ἱμάτιον αὐτοῦ ). This was the outer garment or pallium. They who worked in the field were accustomed to leave their cloak and their tunic at home; so that, half-stripped, they might be more free to labor. Therefore our Lord warns them that in this impending destruction, so suddenly would it come, they must be ready to fly just as they were. It was the direction given to Lot, "Escape for thy life; look not behind thee." Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

And {let}
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[no one]
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

in
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

field
ἀγρὸν (agron)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 68: From ago; a field; genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e. Hamlet.

return for
ἐπιστρεψάτω (epistrepsatō)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1994: From epi and strepho; to revert.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

cloak.
ἱμάτιον (himation)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2440: A long flowing outer garment, tunic. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi; a dress.

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Mark 13:16 Catholic BibleNT Gospels: Mark 13:16 Let him who is in the field (Mar Mk Mr)