King James Version

What Does Mark 13:7 Mean?

Mark 13:7 in the King James Version says “And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.”

Mark 13:7 · KJV

Context

5

And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

6

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

7

And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

8

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. sorrows: the word in the original, importeth; the pains of a woman in travail

9

But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled—the Greek mē throēisthe (μὴ θροεῖσθε) means 'do not be terrified, alarmed, or thrown into confusion.' Wars characterize fallen world since Cain killed Abel. International conflicts don't necessarily signal the immediate end. For such things must needs be (Greek dei genesthai, δεῖ γενέσθαι)—divine necessity, not mere possibility. God's sovereign plan includes human conflict as consequence of sin.

But the end shall not be yet (Greek all' oupō to telos, ἀλλ' οὔπω τὸ τέλος)—'not yet the end.' Wars are birth pains (v. 8), not final labor. History witnessed countless wars—Rome-Judea (AD 66-70), world wars, genocides, ongoing conflicts. None was 'the end.' Christians must avoid date-setting based on wars. The end comes God's appointed time, not triggered mechanically by historical events.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First century witnessed numerous conflicts: Roman civil wars (AD 68-69, 'Year of Four Emperors'), Judean revolt (AD 66-70), Parthian conflicts. Early Christians wondered if these were end-times. Jesus' words prevented panic. Church history shows each generation faced wars—barbarian invasions, Crusades, Thirty Years War, Napoleonic Wars, World Wars I-II, Cold War, modern terrorism. Each era thought surely 'the end.' Yet Christ hasn't returned. His point: don't let wars spiritually alarm you. God remains sovereign; wars fulfill His purposes; believers trust providence. The command 'be not troubled' requires faith that God controls history despite appearances of chaos.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Jesus command 'be not troubled' by wars—what spiritual danger comes from letting global conflicts alarm us?
  2. How does understanding wars as divinely ordained ('must needs be') differ from fatalism or despair?
  3. What prevents Christians from correctly reading contemporary events as 'surely the end' when Jesus said 'the end shall not be yet'?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
ὅταν1 of 16

“when”

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

δὲ2 of 16

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἀκούσητε3 of 16

“ye shall hear”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

πολέμων4 of 16

“of wars”

G4171

warfare (literally or figuratively; a single encounter or a series)

καὶ5 of 16

“and”

G2532

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

ἀκοὰς6 of 16

“rumours”

G189

hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard)

πολέμων7 of 16

“of wars”

G4171

warfare (literally or figuratively; a single encounter or a series)

μὴ8 of 16

“not”

G3361

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

θροεῖσθε·9 of 16

“be ye”

G2360

to clamor, i.e., (by implication) to frighten

δεῖ10 of 16

“such things must”

G1163

also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)

γὰρ11 of 16

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

γενέσθαι12 of 16

“needs be”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἀλλ'13 of 16

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

οὔπω14 of 16

“shall not be yet”

G3768

not yet

τὸ15 of 16
G3588

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

τέλος16 of 16

“the end”

G5056

properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e., (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitel

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 13:7 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 13:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 21:9-11Matthew 24:6-7John 14:27Psalms 27:3Psalms 112:7Acts 17:3

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