So be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance.
Parallel translations
- WEB But you watch. “Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.
- KJV But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
- NKJV But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
- NASB But beware; I have told you everything in advance.
- NLT Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!
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
Jesus tells them to be on guard, for he has forewarned them of everything. Forewarning is meant to produce watchfulness.
Overview
Jesus has graciously told his disciples in advance so they will not be caught off guard or led astray. His command 'you watch' restates the central charge of the discourse. The purpose of prophecy is not to satisfy curiosity but to equip believers for vigilance and steadfast faith, trusting the One who knows and rules the future.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- 2 Pet 3:17Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.
- Isa 44:7–8Who then is like Me? Let him say so! Let him declare his case before Me, since I established an ancient people. Let him foretell the things to come, and what is to take place.
- Mark 13:5Jesus began by telling them, “See to it that no one deceives you.
- John 14:29And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe.
- Luke 21:8Jesus answered, “See to it that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.
- Luke 21:34But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.
- Matt 7:15Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
- Mark 13:9So be on your guard. You will be delivered over to the councils and beaten in the synagogues. On My account you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.
- Mark 13:33Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come.
- John 16:1–4“I have told you these things so that you will not fall away.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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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 13:23 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.