Mark 13:34 kjv
For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Mark 13:34 nkjv
It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
Mark 13:34 niv
It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
Mark 13:34 esv
It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.
Mark 13:34 nlt
"The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.
Mark 13 34 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 24:42 | "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." | Exhortation to constant watchfulness for Christ's return. |
| Mt 24:45-51 | "Who then is the faithful and wise servant...? But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master delays...' " | Parable of faithful and unfaithful servant, emphasizing stewardship and consequences. |
| Mt 25:13 | "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." | Direct call to watchfulness, unknown timing of return. |
| Mt 25:14-30 | "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them." | Parable of Talents, focusing on entrusted responsibility and productive use of gifts. |
| Lk 12:35-40 | "Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning... Blessed are those servants whom the master finds watching..." | Call to readiness and watchfulness for the Lord's return, blessing for prepared servants. |
| Lk 12:42-48 | "And the Lord said, 'Who then is that faithful and wise steward...?'" | Stewardship, accountability, and varying degrees of punishment for unfaithfulness. |
| Lk 19:12-27 | "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return." | Parable of the Minas, stewardship of entrusted resources and future accountability. |
| Acts 1:6-8 | "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power..." | Unknown timing of return, but mission (authority) given to disciples. |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." | Requirement of faithfulness for those entrusted with responsibilities. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets... for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry..." | Christ's ascension (far journey) followed by gifting ministries for equipping His body (His house) for work. |
| Col 3:23-24 | "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward..." | Working diligently for Christ as the ultimate Master. |
| 1 Thess 5:2 | "For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night." | Unexpected nature of Christ's return, necessitating readiness. |
| 1 Thess 5:6 | "Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober." | Exhortation to vigilance and sobriety instead of spiritual complacency. |
| 1 Pet 5:8 | "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." | Vigilance also needed against spiritual enemies. |
| Heb 9:28 | "so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." | Waiting eagerly for the Master's certain return. |
| Rev 3:3 | "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief..." | Consequences of not watching; emphasizes need for spiritual alertness. |
| Rev 22:12 | "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." | Confirmation of Christ's imminent return and judgment based on works. |
| Dan 7:13-14 | "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven!" | Background for "Son of Man," a figure of authority who will receive a kingdom. |
| Prov 6:9-11 | "How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?" | Warning against laziness, echoing the opposite of vigilance. |
| Lk 21:34-36 | "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down... Watch therefore, and pray always..." | Practical advice for watchfulness through prayer and sobriety. |
Mark 13 verses
Mark 13 34 Meaning
Mark 13:34 illustrates Jesus' departure to heaven, likened to a man going on a distant journey. He entrusts His "house" (His Church and Kingdom work) to His "servants" (His followers), assigning specific duties to each. The most crucial instruction is for all, symbolized by the "doorkeeper," to remain watchful and ready, signifying vigilance and preparedness for the master's unexpected return. The verse underscores the delegation of authority and responsibility during the master's absence and emphasizes continuous readiness.
Mark 13 34 Context
Mark chapter 13, known as the "Olivet Discourse," presents Jesus' final extensive public teaching before His crucifixion, delivered on the Mount of Olives. The chapter begins with the disciples marveling at the Temple, leading Jesus to prophesy its complete destruction (Mk 13:1-2). His disciples then ask Him when these things will happen and what will be the sign of His coming and the end of the age (Mk 13:3-4).
In response, Jesus warns against deception, describes signs of the end (wars, famines, earthquakes, persecutions, gospel proclamation), and advises His disciples on how to endure (Mk 13:5-27). He emphasizes the suddenness and unexpected nature of these events, likening them to the budding of a fig tree (Mk 13:28-32), leading to the key theme: no one knows the exact time of His return, except the Father.
Verse 34 functions as a brief parable, illustrating this very point and serving as a crucial transition to the climactic warning to "Watch" in verses 35-37. It contextualizes the disciple's role during Jesus' prolonged absence between His ascension and second coming. Historically and culturally, the concept of a master delegating authority and work to his servants while absent was common in ancient households. The well-being of the household depended entirely on the faithfulness and vigilance of the entrusted servants. The "doorkeeper" held a specific, important role, guarding the house and anticipating the master's return, often late at night or early morning.
Mark 13 34 Word analysis
- For the Son of Man: (Greek: ho huios tou anthrōpou) - A primary self-designation of Jesus throughout the Gospels. It identifies Him as both the fully human representative of humanity and the divine, messianic figure prophesied in Daniel 7:13-14, who comes with authority and power to receive an everlasting kingdom.
- is as a man: This phrase highlights the parabolic nature of the description. Jesus, the Son of Man, is the spiritual Master, drawing a parallel to a human lord of a household.
- taking a far journey: (Greek: apodēmos, "away from one's own country, gone abroad"). This symbolizes Jesus' physical departure from earth after His ascension to heaven, inaugurating a period of absence during which His followers await His return. It signifies a long, indefinite duration, reinforcing the unknown timing of His return.
- who left his house: The "house" metaphorically represents the sphere of the master's authority and interest during his absence. In the context of the New Testament, it typically refers to the Church, the Kingdom of God on earth, or the world in general over which Christ claims sovereignty.
- and gave authority: (Greek: exousia, "power, right, jurisdiction"). This signifies a formal delegation of rightful power and permission to act on the master's behalf. It's not just a task but an empowerment, granting His servants legitimate right to carry out His will.
- to his servants: (Greek: douloi, plural of doulos, "bondservant, slave"). This term denotes a position of complete submission and dedicated service to a master, emphasizing loyalty, obedience, and ownership. Believers are called to be Christ's douloi, fully devoted to His purposes.
- and to every man his work: (Greek: ergon, "deed, task, work"). This highlights individual responsibility and the distribution of specific duties within the household. Each servant, according to his gifts and calling, is entrusted with a particular aspect of the master's business (e.g., teaching, serving, stewarding resources).
- and commanded the doorkeeper: (Greek: thyrōros, "doorkeeper, gatekeeper"). The doorkeeper had a specific, constant responsibility for vigilance at the threshold of the house, admitting rightful visitors and keeping out intruders. This particular role becomes a special emphasis within the general call for vigilance.
- to watch: (Greek: grēgoreuō, "to be awake, watchful, vigilant"). This is the overarching command. It implies spiritual alertness, readiness, attentiveness to the master's affairs, anticipation of his return, and a state of active readiness rather than passive waiting or slumber. It calls for spiritual vigilance against moral compromise or spiritual sloth.
Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:
- "For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house...": This cluster sets up the entire parabolic illustration. It establishes Jesus (the Son of Man) as the Master who will physically depart (His ascension) but retain ownership and interest in His domain (His Church/Kingdom). The "far journey" signifies a period of unknown duration.
- "...and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work...": This highlights the delegation of power and distributed responsibility. It underscores that during the Master's absence, His followers are not idle but are entrusted with power and specific duties to advance His purposes. This includes the preaching of the Gospel, the care of believers, and living righteously.
- "...and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.": This phrase provides a singular, emphasized command that summarizes the entire call to the servants. While the doorkeeper has a specific function, the call "to watch" becomes universal for all servants. It means being ready for the Master's return, prepared to render an account of their stewardship. This readiness requires a constant state of spiritual alertness and action, not just waiting.
Mark 13 34 Bonus section
The structure of Mark 13:34 (master's departure, delegation of authority/tasks, and command to watch) is often seen as a summary of the larger Parable of the Talents/Minas (Matt 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27) but focused primarily on the responsibility to "watch." The command to "watch" (grēgoreuō) appears three times in rapid succession at the conclusion of Mark 13 (v. 34, 35, 37), creating an emphatic refrain that underscores the primary exhortation of the entire discourse. This triplicate emphasis ensures that vigilance remains central to the disciples' post-ascension living. The choice of "doorkeeper" highlights the responsibility for vigilance, emphasizing guarding what belongs to the master and anticipating his arrival. This short parable effectively communicates the need for Christians to live as stewards accountable to an absent but returning Master, constantly prepared to render account of their faithfulness and diligence in their assigned tasks.
Mark 13 34 Commentary
Mark 13:34 is a succinct parable serving as a pivotal illustration within Jesus' Olivet Discourse. It distills the essence of the period between Christ's first and second comings. The "man taking a far journey" represents Jesus Himself, who ascended to heaven and remains absent physically from earth, though present spiritually. His "house" is His spiritual domain – the Church, comprising believers, and His Kingdom agenda. The "servants" are His disciples throughout the ages, entrusted with the task of advancing His will and gospel. Each servant has a unique "work" or calling, underscoring individual responsibility and the diverse ministries within the body of Christ.
The specific command to the "doorkeeper to watch" functions as a synecdoche, representing the universal mandate for all servants to be spiritually vigilant and prepared. This watchfulness implies not just passive waiting, but active stewardship, prayerful discernment, ethical living, and persistent labor, all driven by the confident expectation of the Master's unpredictable return. The unknown timing ("no one knows") of His return is not an excuse for idleness but a catalyst for perpetual readiness and faithful work. The verse thus teaches faithful stewardship during absence and expectant, proactive readiness for His inevitable return.
- Example: A Christian entrepreneur faithfully manages their business, not just for profit, but as part of "their work" entrusted by the Master, conducting it with integrity and serving others.
- Example: A believer actively engages in discipleship, living out the commands of Christ, demonstrating spiritual "watchfulness" through ongoing obedience and prayer, instead of passively waiting.