Mark 13:31

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 13:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Mark 13:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, etc..] Which may be understood either affirmatively, as what will be at the second coming of Christ; or comparatively, rather than any thing said by Christ should; and so shows the certainty and irreversibleness of his predictions, as it follows: but my words shall not pass away; which is true of all the words of Christ he ever spake, and here particularly relates to those he had just delivered, concerning the calamities that should come upon the Jewish nation; (see Gill on “<402435>Matthew 24:35”).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:31 Jesus personally guaranteed what he had said. My words include specifically what Jesus said in the whole discourse of Mark 13:1-37. Mark’s readers would have understood this as guaranteeing the truth of all Jesus’ teachings known to them (Luke 1:2). Like the Old Testament Scriptures (see Isa 40:8), Jesus’ words are eternal. His teachings are more abiding than the fundamental elements of creation. The basic elements of creation will pass away (see also Ps 102:25-26; Isa 40:6-8; 51:6; Matt 5:18; Luke 16:17; 2 Pet 3:7, 10; Rev 20:11), but Jesus’ words will never disappear.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Heaven: Psa 102:25-27; Isa 51:6; Mat 5:18, Mat 24:35; Heb 1:10-12; Pe2 3:10-12; Rev 20:11 my: Num 23:19; Jos 23:14, Jos 23:15; Psa 19:7; Isa 40:8; Zac 1:6; Luk 21:33; Ti2 2:13; Tit 1:2 Mark 13:32”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification