Mark 13 33

Mark 13:33 kjv

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Mark 13:33 nkjv

Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

Mark 13:33 niv

Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

Mark 13:33 esv

Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.

Mark 13:33 nlt

And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert !

Mark 13 verses

Mark 13 33 Meaning

Mark 13:33 instructs believers to be constantly vigilant and prayerful because the exact timing of the Lord's return is unknown. This command emphasizes the need for continuous spiritual readiness and active faith in light of the certainty of Christ's coming.

Mark 13 33 Context

Mark chapter 13, often referred to as the "Olivet Discourse," presents Jesus' prophecies regarding the destruction of the Temple, signs of His return, and the end of the age. This discourse was prompted by the disciples' awe at the Temple's grandeur (Mk 13:1) and their subsequent question about when these events would occur and what the signs would be (Mk 13:3-4). Jesus warns against deception (Mk 13:5-6), speaks of wars, earthquakes, and famines as birth pains (Mk 13:7-8), and foretells persecution of believers (Mk 13:9-13). He then describes the "abomination of desolation" (Mk 13:14-23) and cosmic disturbances preceding His glorious return (Mk 13:24-27). A key part of the discourse is the parable of the fig tree, signifying that one can discern the approach of the end (Mk 13:28-29).

Verse 33 follows directly after the crucial declaration in Mark 13:32 that "concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." This makes Mark 13:33 a direct consequence and practical application of that profound statement. Because the precise timing is unknown, the imperative to be ready is absolute and continuous. The historical context for the original audience included fervent Jewish messianic expectations, sometimes accompanied by speculative calculations, making Jesus' warning against preoccupation with specific dates and a focus on readiness even more pertinent.

Mark 13 33 Word analysis

• Βλέπετε (Blepete) – "Watch" / "Be on your guard." This is a present imperative verb, meaning a continuous command. It signifies an active, alert perception, not just passive observation. It's about seeing, discerning, and paying attention to signs while not being overly distracted by speculation. It implies vigilance and being spiritually awake to current realities and future prospects.

• ἀγρυπνεῖτε (agrupneite) – "Be watchful" / "Keep awake." Also a present imperative, emphasizing ongoing vigilance. The root word signifies "sleeplessness" (from 'a' = not, 'hypnos' = sleep). This term indicates a profound level of alertness, readiness, and conscientiousness, as one who refuses to slumber because something immensely important is anticipated. It implies diligent awareness and avoidance of spiritual complacency or drowsiness.

• καὶ (kai) – "and." This simple conjunction connects the two main commands: "watch" and "pray." It indicates that these are not isolated actions but are to be done in conjunction, reinforcing each other. True vigilance requires a foundation of prayer, and effective prayer involves watchful awareness of spiritual needs and the Lord's will.

• προσεύχεσθε (proseuchesthe) – "Pray" / "Keep praying." A present imperative, denoting continuous prayer. This is not casual prayer but earnest, dependent petition to God. Why pray? For strength to endure, for discernment, to overcome temptation, for steadfastness, and in humble submission to God's will. Prayer is the means by which believers maintain spiritual connection, strength, and sensitivity, enabling them to remain watchful.

• ὅτι (hoti) – "because" / "for." This serves as a conjunction introducing the reason or basis for the preceding commands. The reason for watching and praying is rooted in the very next phrase: human ignorance of the specific timing.

• οὐ γὰρ (ou gar) – "For not" / "because not." These particles together strengthen the causal link, underscoring the decisive reason for vigilance: the certainty of the return, coupled with the absolute uncertainty of when.

• οἴδατε (oidate) – "you know." Second person plural, referring directly to the disciples, and by extension, all believers. The emphasis is on their fundamental lack of knowledge concerning the timing.

• πότε (pote) – "when." An interrogative adverb that refers to the precise moment in time.

• ὁ καιρός (ho kairos) – "the time" / "the opportune time." This is a significant Greek term choice. It does not use chronos (referring to linear, measurable time), but kairos. Kairos refers to an appointed, opportune, significant, or critical time – the strategic moment. In this context, it is the divinely appointed season or moment for Christ's return, which is unknown to humans. It suggests that while the exact minute isn't known, there will be a designated period or juncture when these events will unfold, known only to God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Βλέπετε ἀγρυπνεῖτε καὶ προσεύχεσθε" ("Watch and pray"): This tripartite command encapsulates the Christian discipline for eschatological readiness. "Watch" (Blepete) speaks to intellectual and moral vigilance, observing and discerning; "Be watchful" (Agrupneite) adds a layer of wakefulness and active alertness, countering spiritual slumber; and "Pray" (Proseuchesthe) grounds both in dependence on God, acknowledging spiritual battle and the need for divine strength. It’s a call to both internal disposition and external spiritual action.
• "οὐ γὰρ οἴδατε πότε ὁ καιρός ἐστιν" ("for you do not know when the time is"): This clause provides the immediate and decisive rationale for the commands to watch and pray. The phrase directly confronts human speculation regarding end-time precise timing. It asserts divine sovereignty over knowledge of the end, shifting the focus from calculation to preparation. The use of kairos instead of chronos subtly suggests that while the exact chronological date is unknown, believers should be sensitive to the season of the Lord's return, while simultaneously recognizing the absolute secret nature of its appointment.

Mark 13 33 Bonus section

• The linking of "watch" and "pray" throughout the New Testament highlights their interdependent nature; one cannot truly be spiritually vigilant without a disciplined prayer life, and prayer empowers effective watchfulness against spiritual pitfalls and deceptions.
• This verse counters unhealthy curiosity about future dates, which often leads to disappointment or disengagement, and instead refocuses the believer on the call to live faithfully in the present. The "unknown" timing functions as a constant motivator for holiness and service rather than a license for complacency.
• The call to watch is active, not passive. It means to be living in obedience, using one's gifts for God's glory, and extending the Kingdom of God until Christ's return, rather than passively waiting in idleness.
• The phrase "the time" (ho kairos) hints that the delay is not arbitrary, but rather a divinely appointed season known only to God, underscoring God's perfect timing and sovereignty over history.

Mark 13 33 Commentary

Mark 13:33 distills the practical implications of Jesus' Olivet Discourse into a concise, actionable command. Following the explicit statement that only the Father knows the precise day or hour of the Son's return, this verse serves as the mandatory response: believers must constantly "watch" and "pray." This is not a casual suggestion but a continuous, imperative command. "Watching" ("Blepete" and "Agrupneite") means to be actively attentive, spiritually alert, discerning the times without attempting to calculate them, and ready to meet the Lord at any moment. It signifies an avoidance of spiritual complacency and sloth. This vigilance is profoundly coupled with "praying" ("Proseuchesthe"), emphasizing that such watchfulness is not a human effort alone, but is sustained by communion with God. Prayer provides the spiritual strength, wisdom, and perseverance needed to maintain readiness in a fallen world filled with distractions and temptations. The core message is that since the "opportune time" (kairos) of the Lord's coming is a divine secret, our posture should not be one of speculative curiosity but one of constant preparedness and humble reliance on God. This readiness impacts every area of life, leading to faithful service, perseverance in trials, and living righteously as if the Lord could appear at any moment. This eliminates procrastination in spiritual duties and encourages a vibrant, active hope.