Mark 13:1, commentary and pictures

As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples, and in other accounts more than one, called His attention to what manner of stones and what buildings were there. They spoke as they passed out with Him after hearing that their house was left desolate. Their pointing set the scene for His warning that the magnificent temple would be destroyed.

They spoke in awe and wonder at His prediction of overthrow, with a foreboding of evil and an anxious desire for a more definite statement to understand His words more fully. They did not yet understand, and could not imagine or comprehend how such mighty structures could be overthrown. What they pointed to was of purest brilliant-white marble in blocks of almost fabulous size, with massive walls and massive porch and supporting pillars. The masonry was laid so perfect that it appeared like one solid stone dug from the quarry, emphasizing strength and beauty and apparent durability.

That splendor reflected more than forty years of costly work, with freely expended wealth and labor and architectural skill. It included massive blocks of white marble brought from Rome as part of its structure. Herod the Great had lavished upon it Roman wealth and Jewish treasure, and even the emperor of the world had enriched it with gifts. A portion of the wall had withstood Nebuchadnezzar's army, so the walls seemed mighty and apparently indestructible.

Jesus received their pointing to the wonderful buildings with sadness because He knew destruction was coming, yet He acknowledged what they showed Him. To their words He made the solemn and startling answer that the magnificent temple would be completely demolished so that not one stone would be left upon another that would not be thrown down. Its strength and splendor would not preserve it, and angels of God would be sent to throw down every stone. The verse opens a chapter about the future destiny of men that must be studied as a warning to be read as for life. It calls each one to take heed to himself and let no man blind the mind by human sophistries or by mocking burlesque of sacred things, which is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and to prayerfully ask who will stand acquitted without spot or stain before the judgment seat of Christ.

Those saved must form character without fault before a pure and holy God by doing their appointed work and cooperating with Christ under His yoke and learning His meekness and lowliness. Such ones angels love and minister to, and they receive daily experience in the meaning of the divine beatitudes, because every man will be judged according to deeds done in this life. Even the magnificent, firmly built temple fell in complete destruction, and the same fate will come upon modern expensive buildings costing millions of money, despite their architectural beauty and unusual firmness and solidity of construction.