MARK 13:33 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

Instead of Stay awake and pray, some manuscripts read Stay awake.

UST So, you do not know at what moment I will return to this world. Because of that, you need to make sure that you are ready. You need to focus and pray.

BSB Be on your guard [and] stay alert![fn] For you do not know when the appointed time will come.

13:33 BYZ and TR Be on your guard, stay alert, and pray!

MSB Be on your guard, stay alert, and pray![fn] For you do not know when the appointed time will come.

AICNT “Watch, stay awake [[and pray]];[fn] for you do not know when the time is.

13:33, and pray: Some manuscripts include.

OEB ‘See that you are on the watch; for you do not know when the time will be.

WEBBE Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Watch out! Stay alert! For you do not know when the time will come.

LSV Take heed, watch and pray, for you have not known when the time is;

FBV Keep watch! Stay awake! For you don't know when this will happen.

TCNT Be on guard; stay alert [fn]and pray! For you do not know when the time is coming.

13:33 and pray 82% • PCK 13.9% ¦ — ECM NA SBL WH 0.6%

T4T So be ready, like people who are waiting for an important man to come, because you do not know when that time will come when all these events will happen!

LEB Watch out! Be alert, because you do not know when the time is!

BBE Take care, keep watch with prayer: for you are not certain when the time will be.

Moff Take care, keep awake and pray; you never know the time.

Wymth Take care, be on the alert, and pray; for you do not know when it will happen.

ASV Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

DRA Take ye heed, watch and pray. For ye know not when the time is.

YLT Take heed, watch and pray, for ye have not known when the time is;

Drby Take heed, watch and pray, for ye do not know when the time is:

RV Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
(Take ye/you_all heed, watch and pray: for ye/you_all know not when the time is. )

SLT See, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Wbstr Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

KJB-1769 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
( Take ye/you_all heed, watch and pray: for ye/you_all know not when the time is. )

KJB-1611 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above)

Bshps Take heede, watche and pray: for ye knowe not when the tyme is.
(Take heed, watch and pray: for ye/you_all know not when the time is.)

Gnva Take heede: watch, and praie: for yee knowe not when the time is.
(Take heed: watch, and praie: for ye/you_all know not when the time is. )

Cvdl Take hede, watch, & praye, for ye knowe not whan the tyme is.
(Take heed, watch, and praye, for ye/you_all know not when the time is.)

TNT Take hede watche and praye for ye knowe not when the tyme ys.
(Take heed watch and pray for ye/you_all know not when the time ys. )

Wycl Se ye, wake ye, and preie ye; for ye witen not, whanne the tyme is.
(See ye/you_all, wake ye/you_all, and pray ye/you_all; for ye/you_all perceive not, when the time is.)

Luth Sehet zu, wachet und betet; denn ihr wisset nicht, wann es Zeit ist.
(Behold to/for, watch(v) and prays; because/than you(pl)/their/her know not, when it time/period is.)

ClVg Videte, vigilate, et orate: nescitis enim quando tempus sit.
(See, stay_awake, and pray: you_don't_know because when time/season let_it_be. )

UGNT βλέπετε, ἀγρυπνεῖτε, καὶ προσεύχεσθε, οὐκ οἴδατε γὰρ πότε ὁ καιρός ἐστιν.
(blepete, agrupneite, kai proseuⱪesthe, ouk oidate gar pote ho kairos estin.)

SBL-GNT βλέπετε ⸀ἀγρυπνεῖτε, οὐκ οἴδατε γὰρ πότε ὁ καιρός ἐστιν·
(blepete ⸀agrupneite, ouk oidate gar pote ho kairos estin;)

RP-GNT Βλέπετε, ἀγρυπνεῖτε καὶ προσεύχεσθε· οὐκ οἴδατε γὰρ πότε ὁ καιρός ἐστιν.
(Blepete, agrupneite kai proseuⱪesthe; ouk oidate gar pote ho kairos estin.)

TC-GNT Βλέπετε, ἀγρυπνεῖτε [fn]καὶ προσεύχεσθε· οὐκ οἴδατε γὰρ πότε ὁ καιρός ἐστιν.
(Blepete, agrupneite kai proseuⱪesthe; ouk oidate gar pote ho kairos estin. )

13:33 και προσευχεσθε 82% ¦ προσευχεσθε PCK 13.9% ¦ — ECM NA SBL WH 0.6%

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

TTN Tyndale Theme Notes:

The Day Is Coming

Jesus predicted three future events in the synoptic Gospels. One was his own death and resurrection (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34); this was a past event when the Gospels were written.

The second event that Jesus predicted was the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (Matt 24:1-28; 13:1-23; Luke 19:41-44; 21:5-24). This event was probably about to happen when Mark wrote his Gospel (see Mark Book Introduction, “Date”). It would not signify the very end, so the Christian community must continue to live in faithful watchfulness after this event for the Son of God’s return in glory, which might be soon (Mark 13:34-37).

The third event that Jesus predicted was his own future return (Matt 23:39; 24:3, 29-31, 24:36–25:46; Mark 8:38; 13:24-27, 32-37; Luke 21:25-36; John 14:1-3). References to Jesus’ return can be found throughout the New Testament (see, e.g., 1 Cor 1:7-8; 3:13; 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14; Phil 1:6, 10; 2:16; 1 Thes 5:1-11; 2 Thes 2:2; 2 Tim 1:12, 18; 4:1, 8).

When Jesus returns, the promises about God’s Kingdom will be completely fulfilled. Jesus will bring judgment and destruction for Satan and his angels (Rom 16:20; 2 Thes 2:3-12). Unbelievers will also experience eternal judgment (Matt 13:40-42; 25:31-46; Luke 6:24-26; 16:19-31; Acts 10:42; Eph 5:6; Col 3:6; Heb 10:25; 2 Pet 3:7; Jude 1:6; Rev 1:7; 6:14, 17). Meanwhile, the faithful will be resurrected to experience the joy of eternal life (1 Thes 4:13-18). God will gather his chosen people for salvation (Mark 13:27; Heb 1:14; 9:27-28), grace (1 Pet 1:13), and glory (1 Thes 2:12; 2 Thes 2:14; 1 Pet 1:7; 5:1, 4). He will give his people a priceless inheritance (1 Pet 1:4) and new eternal bodies (1 Cor 15:35-57; Phil 3:21; 1 Thes 4:13-18). All of creation will also be rescued from its curse (Gen 3:17-18) and be transformed (Rom 8:20-23; 2 Pet 3:12-13; Rev 21:1–22:5). Sorrow, tears, mourning, and death will no longer exist (Rev 21:4). Those who have had faith during this life will see God (Matt 5:8; Rev 22:3).

In light of these promises, believers in Jesus are to prayerfully await his return (Matt 6:10; Rev 22:20). We should not speculate on dates for his coming (Mark 13:32; Acts 1:7), but should live in a way that is honorable (1 Jn 2:28) and be prepared (Matt 24:36–25:30; 1 Thes 5:1-11).

Passages for Further Study

Matt 5:8; 6:10; 13:41-42; 23:39; 24:3–25:46; Mark 8:38; 13:1-37; 14:25; Luke 6:24-26; 16:19-31; 19:41-44; 21:5-36; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:6-7; 10:42; Rom 8:20-23; 16:20; 1 Cor 1:7-8; 15:35-58; 2 Cor 1:14; Phil 1:6, 10; 2:16; 3:21; 1 Thes 4:13-18; 2 Thes 2:2-14; 2 Tim 4:1-8; Titus 2:11-13; Heb 9:28; 10:25, 37; 1 Pet 1:7, 13; 5:1-4; 2 Pet 3:7-13; 1 Jn 2:28; Rev 1:7; 6:15-17; 21:1–22:7; 22:12, 20

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 13:32–37: Jesus told his disciples to be ready for his coming

In this section Jesus told his disciples that no one knows the day or hour when he will come in glory. He exhorted his disciples that they should be ready at all times for his coming.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus told his disciples, “Be ready for me to return”

No one knows when Jesus will return to earth

Jesus’ disciples must watch for his coming

There is a parallel passage for this section in Luke 21:34–36.

13:33a

Be on your guard and stay alert!

Be^(plur) on your guard! Be^(plur) alert/vigilant!
Be always watchful! Keep aware at all times!

Be on your guard and stay alert!: There is a textual issue in this verse. Some Greek manuscripts have a third command that means “Pray!”:

Most Greek manuscripts do not have this third command. Most English versions follow these manuscripts. (BSB, NIV, GNT, RSV, GW, NLT, CEV, JBP, NCV, NET, NASB, NJB, REB, ESV)
Other Greek manuscripts have a third command that means “Pray.” For example, the KJV says:
Take ye heed, watch and pray (KJV)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), since it has stronger manuscript support. Most English versions follow this option. However, you should also check the major language version in your area. If it follows option (2), then you may want to follow it or include it in a footnote.

Be on your guard: The Greek verb that the BSB translates here as Be on your guard also occurs in 13:5, 13:9a, and 13:23a. In this context, it means “Stay watching.”

stay alert: The Greek word that the BSB translates as stay alert literally means “Stay awake.” It implies that they should be aware of what is happening and be ready for Jesus’ coming.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

be^(plur) vigilant

be^(plur) ready (CEV)

In some languages it may be possible to use an idiom here.

13:33b

For you do not know when the appointed time will come.

You^(plur) do not know when that time will arrive.
For/because you^(plur) do not know when I will return.

In 13:33b Jesus told the disciples the reason that they needed to “be on… guard.” They needed to be on guard because they did not know when Christ would return.

For: The Greek text introduces the reason with a conjunction that the BSB translates as For. Use a natural way in your language to indicate that 13:33b is the reason for 13:33a.

you do not know: The pronoun you is plural and refers to the disciples. However, it is not only the disciples who did not know. No one else knows either.

when the appointed time will come: The words the appointed time refer to “that day or hour” in 13:32a. It is the time when Jesus, the Messiah, will return again to earth.

will come: In some languages, the verb will come can only refer to people or other beings. It cannot refer to events. If that is true in your language, you can use the verb “will happen,” or “will be complete.” For example:

when that time will happen/occur

when that time will be complete

Here are some other ways to translate the phrase the appointed time more explicitly:

when the Son of Man will return

when I will return to earth

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

βλέπετε, ἀγρυπνεῖτε, καὶ προσεύχεσθε, οὐκ οἴδατε γὰρ πότε ὁ καιρός ἐστιν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Βλέπετε ἀγρυπνεῖτε καί προσεύχεσθε οὐκ οἴδατε γάρ πότε ὁ καιρός ἐστίν)

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these clauses, since the last clause gives the reason for the result that the first clauses describe. Alternate translation: [Because you do not know when the time is, be alert! Stay awake and pray]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

βλέπετε

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Βλέπετε ἀγρυπνεῖτε καί προσεύχεσθε οὐκ οἴδατε γάρ πότε ὁ καιρός ἐστίν)

Jesus uses a word for seeing to indicate the need for paying attention or being ready. He means that they need to make sure that they are ready for what is going to happen. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable figure of speech or state the meaning plainly. See how you expressed the similar idea in [13:9](../13/09.md). Alternate translation: [Be prepared] or [Pay attention]

Note 3 topic: translate-textvariants

ἀγρυπνεῖτε, καὶ προσεύχεσθε

˓be˒_watching (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Βλέπετε ἀγρυπνεῖτε καί προσεύχεσθε οὐκ οἴδατε γάρ πότε ὁ καιρός ἐστίν)

Many ancient manuscripts read Stay awake and pray. The ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts read “Stay awake.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἀγρυπνεῖτε

˓be˒_watching

Here Jesus speaks of being alert and watchful as if it were staying awake. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable figure of speech or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Be watchful] or [Remain vigilant]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὁ καιρός ἐστιν

the time (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Βλέπετε ἀγρυπνεῖτε καί προσεύχεσθε οὐκ οἴδατε γάρ πότε ὁ καιρός ἐστίν)

Here Jesus is referring to the exact moment when he will return to this world, which will also be the end of the current time period. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [I will come back] or [my second coming will be]

BMM BibleMapper.com Maps:

Map

Jerusalem during the New Testament

By the time of the New Testament, the ancient city of Jerusalem had been transformed from the relatively small fortress of David’s day (2 Samuel 5:6-10; 1 Chronicles 11:4-9) into a major city with a Temple that rivaled the greatest temples in the Roman world. Just prior to Jesus’ birth, Herod the Great completely renovated and expanded the Temple of the Lord, and he also built a lavish palace for himself, various pools (where Jesus occasionally performed healings), public buildings, and military citadels, including the Antonia Fortress, which overlooked the Temple. Wealthy residents, including the high priest, occupied extravagant houses in the Upper City, while the poorer residents were relegated to less desirable areas like the Lower City. The Essene Quarter was so named because many of its residents belonged to the Essenes, a strict religious sect that was known for its careful attention to the law of Moses. Across the Kidron Valley lay the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus often met with his disciples (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-53; John 18:1-14). Further east was the Mount of Olives, where Jesus began his triumphal entry one week before his crucifixion (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19), taught his disciples about the last days (Matthew 24-25; Mark 13), and eventually ascended to heaven after his resurrection (Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:1-11).

Parallel MARK 13:33

Section 13:32–37: Jesus told his disciples to be ready for his coming

13:33a

13:33b

Jerusalem during the New Testament