But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
Parallel translations
- WEB But you watch. “Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.
- BSB So be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance.
- 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 3:17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
- Isa 44:7–8And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.
- Mark 13:5And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
- John 14:29And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
- Luke 21:8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
- Luke 21:34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
- Matt 7:15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
- Mark 13:9But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
- Mark 13:33Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
- John 16:1–4These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.