John Wesley on Mark 13

Mt 24:1; Lu 21:5.

Two questions are here asked; the one concerning the destruction of Jerusalem: the other concerning the end of the world.

Lu 21:12.

Mt 24:14.

The Holy Ghost will help you. But do not depend upon any other help For all the nearest ties will be broken.

Where it ought not - That place being set apart for sacred use. Mt 24:15; Lu 21:20; Dan 9:27.

In those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation - May it not be doubted, whether this be yet fully accomplished? Is not much of this affliction still to come?

The elect - The Christians: whom he hath chosen - That is, hath taken out of, or separated from, the world, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. He hath shortened - That is, will surely shorten.

Mt 24:23.

But in those days - Which immediately precede the end of the world: after that tribulation - Above described.

Mt 24:32; Lu 21:28.

He is nigh - The Son of man.

All these things - Relating to the temple and the city.

Of that day - The day of judgment is often in the Scriptures emphatically called that day. Neither the Son - Not as man: as man he was no more omniscient than omnipresent. But as God he knows all the circumstances of it.

Mt 24:42; Lu 21:34.

The Son of man is as a man taking a far journey - Being about to leave this world and go to the Father, he appoints the services that are to be performed by all his servants, in their several stations. This seems chiefly to respect ministers at the day of judgment: but it may be applied to all men, and to the time of death. Mt 25:14; Lu 19:12.