# Mark Chapter 13
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## Summary
Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple and offer signs of the end of the age. Jesus describes with apocalyptic dimensions what this will look like and foretells of his own return. He uses the fig tree as an analogy but warns than nobody knows when this will occur.

## Imagery and Themes
This passage is particularly opaque, offering almost an entire chapters worth of response to the question without actually offering much concrete in response.

Firstly the question actually posed by the disciples seems to be targeted at when the destruction of the temple would be accomplished. Jesus doesn't appear to offer an answer in relation to this. In fact the ESV includes subheadings that add the idea Jesus here is talking about the end of the age. This isn't a bad guess given the apocalyptic nature of the description offered in Mark 12, but would appear to be an assumption.

We can gather that the 'labour pains' of the end of the age include wars, earthquakes, and famines. These are not particularly uncommon events in earth history so offer little in the way of details. However there is some useful points that follow immediately after. Namely the warning that many will impersonate 

The notion that there will be "such a tribulation as has not been from the beginning of creation" [^1] is of interest. Given the fall, flooding of the whole earth, slavery and exile are pretty horrific tribulations. As such we have reason to be alarmed by this passage if such events pale in comparison.

With regards to the fig tree if we recall back to Mark 11[^2] the parable of the fig tree this represented Israel. Perhaps then this is a symbolic reference once again. It's difficult to say. As with many prophetic texts the salient points are vague and it would be easy to mistake one age for another. Perhaps then this is the reason for the final caution. As one knows that the next season is due perhaps the lesson is we are to be mindful and leave it there.

[^1] [Mark 13:9](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2013%3A9&version=ESV)
[^2] [Mark 11:20-25](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+11%3A20-25&version=ESV)