Mark 13 16

Mark 13:16 kjv

And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Mark 13:16 nkjv

And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.

Mark 13:16 niv

Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak.

Mark 13:16 esv

and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.

Mark 13:16 nlt

A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat.

Mark 13 verses

Mark 13 16 Meaning

Mark 13:16 delivers a vivid instruction for absolute urgency during a time of imminent catastrophe, particularly in the context of the coming destruction of Jerusalem. It commands those working outside the city in the fields not to return home, even to retrieve a basic necessity like a garment, but to flee immediately and without hesitation. The verse underscores that safety lies in unreserved, swift obedience to the divine warning, prioritizing physical preservation and spiritual readiness over any material possession or comfort.

Mark 13 16 Context

Mark 13, often called the "Olivet Discourse," contains Jesus' prophecy regarding the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, and warnings about the signs of the end of the age and His second coming. Verses 14-23 provide specific instructions for believers regarding an event called "the abomination of desolation." This section describes a critical moment when all attention must shift to immediate flight. Verse 16 specifies the instruction for those outside the city (who are "in the field"), just as verse 15 instructs those inside ("on the housetop") not to go into their houses. The historical context primarily points to the Roman siege of Jerusalem in AD 70, where Jewish Christians who heeded these words fled to Pella, a city east of the Jordan, thus escaping the devastation. The instruction underlines the swift and terrifying nature of the impending judgment, allowing no time for retrieval of personal items.

Mark 13 16 Word analysis

• And let not him that is in the field: ho en tō agrou (ὁ ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ) - Literally, "the one in the field." This specifies a particular group of people: those engaged in agricultural work or otherwise outside the populated urban centers. Their location is key, implying they are not to head towards the city, nor back to any dwelling there, for any reason.
• turn back again: epistrepsatō (ἐπιστρεψάτω) - From the Greek verb epistrephō, meaning "to turn back," "return," or "revert." The use of the aorist imperative carries a strong, immediate prohibition. It conveys the absolute necessity of forward motion in flight, without any backward glance or change of direction, much like Lot's wife's tragic mistake in Genesis 19:26.
• for to take up: arai (ἆραι) - Infinitive of airō, meaning "to lift," "take up," or "carry away." It implies an action of gathering or securing something, which in this urgent context, is strictly forbidden.
• his garment: to himation autou (τὸ ἱμάτιον αὐτοῦ) - Refers to the outer cloak or robe. In ancient Israel, people working in the fields often shed this heavy outer garment to move more freely, leaving it nearby. While it was a valuable and sometimes essential possession (e.g., used as a blanket at night, Exo 22:27; Deut 24:13), the instruction here highlights that even such a common, somewhat necessary item is to be forfeited if its retrieval causes even the slightest delay during the escape. It represents all material possessions or comforts that could hinder swift obedience.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "him that is in the field turn back again": This phrase emphasizes geographical specificity (outside the city) and behavioral prohibition (no retreat). It contrasts with the instruction for those on the "housetop" (Mark 13:15), completing the universal call to immediate, unhesitating flight regardless of location within or without the threatened region. The act of "turning back" signifies a failure to fully trust God's protective guidance and to obey His warning immediately.
• "for to take up his garment": This specific example highlights the severity of the command. The "garment" is not a great treasure, but a basic item. Yet, the prohibition against retrieving even this small comfort underscores that nothing — no comfort, no convenience, no attachment, however minor — should delay instant obedience and flight in a moment of existential crisis. It speaks to a complete detachment from earthly concerns when faced with divine judgment or imminent danger.

Mark 13 16 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates a core biblical principle seen throughout Scripture: in moments of divine intervention or judgment, human preoccupation with temporal goods can become a fatal hindrance. The immediacy implied ("let not... turn back again") signifies that there will be no time for reflection, planning, or gathering. It is a moment where instinct, refined by spiritual readiness and trust in God's prior warning, is paramount. This highlights that warnings are not given to be debated, but to be heeded with absolute faith and urgency, echoing the New Testament call for believers to "redeem the time" and be constantly watchful and prepared for the Lord's return.

Mark 13 16 Commentary

Mark 13:16 serves as a stark testament to the crucial need for immediate, decisive action in the face of prophetic warnings and impending judgment. It extends the command of unhesitating flight to those outside the city, mirroring the urgency given to those on rooftops within it. The seemingly mundane detail of not turning back for a "garment" powerfully illustrates that during a crisis ordained or allowed by God, the preservation of one's life—and ultimately, one's spiritual well-being—outweighs any concern for material possessions or personal comfort. This principle transcended the historical context of AD 70, applying equally to every disciple who must prioritize obedience to Christ's words above worldly attachments, especially in times of spiritual or literal tribulation. It teaches radical discipleship, where God's warning elicits an absolute, unencumbered response.