Mark 13:34

“[For the son of man is] as a man taking a far journey, etc..] Or this case of the son of man's coming to take vengeance on the Jewish nation, is like a man that takes a journey into a far country. This puts me in mind of a question asked f230 by the Jews: “what hqwr rd, “a far journey” from Modiim, and without.” j Æ from Modiim, according to the Gemara f231, and commentators f232 on this passage, was a place fifteen miles from Jerusalem; so that, according to them, fifteen miles were reckoned a far journey f233. Who left his house; and his goods in it, to the care and management of others during his absence: and gave authority to his servants; to govern his house, and exercise power one over…”

“Who left his house - The word “house” often means family. Our Saviour here represents himself as going away, leaving his household the church, assigning to the apostles and all his servants their duty, and leaving it uncertain when he would return. Since his return was a matter of vast consequence, and as the affairs of his kingdom were entrusted to them, just as the affairs of a house are to servants when the master is absent, so it was of vast importance that they should be faithful at their post, that they should defend the house from danger, and be ready for his return. The porter - The doorkeeper. To the janitor or doorkeeper was entrusted particularly the care of the house, whose duty…”

“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. Mat 25:14; Luk 19:12. Next: Mark Chapter 14”

“13:34-35 The point of the story is not that the return of the Lord is uncertain or unexpected (see Matt 24:45-51; 25:1-30; Luke 12:36-38; 19:12-27), but that there will be no sign or warning of his coming. The parable is allegorical in at least two respects, with the master (Greek kurios) understood as the Lord [kurios] Jesus Christ and the slaves or household servants as the Christian community. But to allegorize the gatekeeper as the apostles or Peter was a post–New Testament development. • in the evening, at midnight, before dawn (literally the cock’s crowing), or at daybreak: The four periods of the night correspond to the Roman division of the night into four watches of three hours each…”

“as a: Mat 24:45, 25:14-30; Luk 19:12-17 and to: Rom 12:4-8, Rom 13:6; Co1 3:5-10, 12:4-31, Co1 15:58; Col 3:24, Col 4:1 and commanded: Eze 3:17-21, Eze 33:2-9; Mat 24:45-47; Luk 12:36-40; Act 20:29-31 the porter: Mat 16:19; Joh 10:3; Rev 3:7 Mark 13:35”