Mark 13:7
What does Mark 13:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 13:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 13:7 means
Jesus continued His outline of future events by speaking of "wars and rumors of wars." He advised His disciples not to be troubled by these things because such conflicts are an inevitable part of the unfolding divine plan; they "must needs come to pass." However, He clarified that these events do not signify the immediate end. This teaches believers that while conflict is a recurring feature of history, it is a precursor, not the final sign, and therefore, they should not be alarmed into thinking the consummation is at hand.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be not troubled: these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be not troubled: these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when you have news of wars and talk of wars, do not be troubled; these things have to be, but it is still not the end.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and when ye may hear of wars and reports of wars, be not troubled, for these behove to be, but the end <FI>is<Fi> not yet;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, fear ye not. For such things must needs be: but the end is not yet.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be not disturbed, for [this] must happen, but the end is not yet.
Context
Following the warnings about false Christs in verses 5-6, this verse broadens the scope of future signs to include global conflicts. It shifts the focus from spiritual deception to geopolitical turmoil, indicating a wider range of precursors to the end. This context helps the reader understand that while such events are significant, they are not the ultimate indicators, preparing them for more definitive signs that Jesus will describe later in the discourse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 51:46
And let not your heart faint, neither fear ye for the tidings that shall be heard in the land; for tidings shall come one year, and after that in another year shall come tidings, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler.
- Psalms 27:3
Though a host should encamp against me, My heart shall not fear: Though war should rise against me, Even then will I be confident.
- Matthew 24:6
And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet.
- Jeremiah 4:19
My anguish, my anguish! I am pained at my very heart; my heart is disquieted in me; I cannot hold my peace; because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
- 2 Samuel 14:14
For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God take away life, but deviseth means, that he that is banished be not an outcast from him.
- Acts 17:3
opening and alleging that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, said he, I proclaim unto you, is the Christ.
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