Big Idea: God’s judgment will soon fall on the temple and the land and bring devastation. However, God’s people must not be carried away by false teaching and false rumors but rather should endure patiently in the midst of the persecution.

Understanding the Text

The extensive discourse of chapter 13, known as the Olivet Discourse, develops the basic theme in passion week thus far: the fruitlessness (fig tree) and guilt (clearing of the temple) of the Jewish leadership, leading to the curse upon the nation and the impending judgment. In 11:12–20 the “why” of judgment was presented; now the “what” of judgment occurs: the destruction of the temple and the land. It provides a transition from the conflict between Jesus and the leaders (11:27–12:40) to the final events of passion week on Thurs…