King James Version

What Does Mark 13:2 Mean?

Mark 13:2 in the King James Version says “And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, tha... — study this verse from Mark chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Mark 13:2 · KJV


Context

1

And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

2

And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately ,

4

Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Jesus' prophecy was literally fulfilled in AD 70. After a five-month siege, Roman legions under Titus burned the temple. Gold ornamentation melted between stones; soldiers dismantled walls to extract it, leaving not one stone on another. The Greek katalythē (καταλυθῇ, 'thrown down') means total demolition.

This fulfilled Daniel 9:26—'the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.' Jesus wept over Jerusalem's refusal to recognize 'the time of thy visitation' (Luke 19:41-44). The temple's destruction marked the Old Covenant's definitive end—no more Levitical priesthood, sacrifices, or temple worship. Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-14) made temple obsolete. The New Covenant creates a spiritual temple—the Church—where believers are living stones (1 Peter 2:5).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus prophesied ca. AD 30-33; fulfillment came AD 70. The Jewish revolt against Rome (AD 66-70) led to Jerusalem's siege. Josephus, eyewitness historian, recorded over 1 million Jews killed, 97,000 enslaved. Titus initially tried preserving the temple, but it burned (whether accidentally or deliberately debated). Soldiers dismantled stones for gold, fulfilling Jesus' words precisely. This ended Second Temple Judaism. Rabbinic Judaism emerged, centered on Torah and synagogue rather than temple and sacrifice. For early Christians, AD 70 validated Jesus' prophetic authority and confirmed the New Covenant superseded the Old.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the temple's literal destruction illustrate that religious externals cannot substitute for heart relationship with God?
  2. What does this prophecy's precise fulfillment teach about Jesus' authority as prophet and Scripture's reliability?
  3. How should Christians view the Old Covenant institutions—temple, priesthood, sacrifices—in light of Christ's fulfillment and their historical ending?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
καὶ1 of 21

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

2 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς3 of 21

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἀποκριθεὶς4 of 21

answering

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

εἶπεν5 of 21

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ6 of 21

unto him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Βλέπεις7 of 21

Seest thou

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

ταύτας8 of 21
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

τὰς9 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μεγάλας10 of 21

great

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

οἰκοδομάς11 of 21

buildings

G3619

architecture, i.e., (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation

οὐ12 of 21
G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μὴ13 of 21
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἀφεθῇ14 of 21

be left

G863

to send forth, in various applications (as follow)

λίθῷ,15 of 21

another

G3037

a stone (literally or figuratively)

ἐπὶ16 of 21

upon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

λίθῷ,17 of 21

another

G3037

a stone (literally or figuratively)

ὃς18 of 21

that

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐ19 of 21
G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μὴ20 of 21
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

καταλυθῇ21 of 21

be thrown down

G2647

to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e., (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specially (compare g2646) to halt for the night


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 13:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 13:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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