And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
Parallel translations
- WEB As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!”
- BSB As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look at the magnificent stones and buildings!”
- NKJV Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”
- NASB As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples *said to Him, “Teacher, look! What wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!”
- NLT As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A disciple marvels at the magnificent stones and buildings of the temple as they leave. Their admiration sets up Jesus' startling prophecy of its destruction.
Overview
Herod's temple was one of the wonders of the ancient world, its massive stones and gleaming structures inspiring awe. The disciple's comment is understandable, yet it fixes on outward grandeur. Jesus is about to redirect their gaze from the impressive but doomed building to coming judgment and the certainty of his own word, beginning the great discourse of Mark 13.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Matt 24:1–51And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
- Ezek 11:22–23Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
- Ezek 10:4Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD’s glory.
- Ezek 7:20–22As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them.
- Ezek 10:19And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD’s house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
- Ezek 8:6He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations.
- Mal 3:1–2Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
- Luke 21:5–36And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 13:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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