In the first part of this blog post I made an attempt to decrypt the first half of the synoptic Apocalypse (Mark 13:1-12 and parallels). This is the second part. As was the case in the first part, less relevant verses have been omitted.
Section | Matthew 24 | Mark 13 | Luke 21 |
A | (15) So when you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand) | (14a) But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand) | (20) But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by legions, then know that its desolation has come near. |
B | (16) then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; (17) Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house; (18) and let him who is in the field not turn back to take his mantle. | (14b) then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains (15) let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything away; (16) and let him who is in the field not turn back to take his mantle. | (21) Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are out in the country enter it. |
C | (22) for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. | ||
D | (19) And alas for those who are with child and for those who suck in those days! | (23a) Alas for those who are with child and for those who suck in those days! | |
E | (20) Pray that your flight way not be in winter or on a Sabbath. | ||
F | (21) For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. | (19) For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, no, and never will be. | (23b) For great distress shall be upon the earth and wrath upon this people; |
G | (22) And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would be saved | (20) And if the Lord had not shortened the days, no human being would be saved; | |
H | (23) Then if any one says to you, ‘Lo, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. (24) For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. | (21) And then if any one says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. (22) False Christs and false prophets will arise and show signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. | |
I | (24) They will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. | ||
J | (29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, the and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven | (24) But in those days, after the tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, (25) and the stars will be falling from heaven | (25) And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars |
K | (30) …and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. | (26) And afterwards they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. | (27) And afterwards they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. |
This approach to decrypting the synoptic Apocalypse has led us to the conclusion that – with the exception of a brief reference to hostility against Paul’s mission – the only theme discussed in this chapter of the synoptic gospels is the war of the Jews against the Romans. The gospel writers have inserted this apocalyptic chapter for a good reason. It speaks of the arrival of the messiah at the end of the war, and so it is the truthful counterweight of the forged chronology of the main part of the gospels. We can discern this real chronology also in other apocalyptic early Christian texts like the 11th chapter of Revelation and the final (16th) chapter of the Didache.