The gospel of Mark offers scholars a number of agendas for debate and dissension. Alongside arguments about the role and mission of the disciples, the author's organizational strategy, the perceived audience being addressed, and the relationship to and dependence upon Matthew and Luke, lies the debate over Mark's eschatology and the place of chapter 13. It doesn't take more than a quick read through chapters 11-14 to notice that chapter 13 could easily be dropped from its place and the narrative between 12:44 and 14:1 would proceed without any hint of disjointedness.

Indeed, chapter 13 sticks out from the flow of Mark's Jerusalem narrative, interrupting the pace and progress of these final events with barely any direct literary connection. Only the references to the temple in 13:1-4 periph…