Jesus describes the destruction of the temple as an analogy for the end of the world.
Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
This sky and this earth will surpass themselves but these ideas of mine should never pass unnoticed.
To pass the test we must surpass ourselves and not pass by these ideas without noticing them.
The word translated as "words" doesn't mean "word," but has the sense more of an "idea,"or a "concept". See this article.
We should not interpret the Greek word translated as "pass away" as referring to dying and death. The Greek means "passing" in the sense of one thing going by another, one thing surpassing by another, or "passing" the time. It also has the sense of "pass unnoticed" or "bypass" which fits especially well here. This verb "pass" appears in two different forms here. The first occurrence ("heaven and earth") acts on themselves, so the sense seems to be "surpassing themselves." The second occurrence refers to Jesus's idea, it is in the form of possibility, "should never pass."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word --The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "earth is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "pass away" does not mean "die."
- MW -- Missing Word -- This verb is a middle voice, which requires a "by/for themselves" or a "themselves" as an object.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "words" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "words" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "pass away" does not mean "die."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word --The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "earth is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "pass away" does not mean "die."
- MW -- Missing Word -- This verb is a middle voice, which requires a "by/for themselves" or a "themselves" as an object.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "words" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "words" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be "should."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "pass away" does not mean "die."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word --The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "earth is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "dissappear" should be "pass."
- MW -- Missing Word -- This verb is a middle voice, which requires a "by/for themselves" or a "themselves" as an object.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "words" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "words" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be "should."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "dissappear" should be "pass."
missing "the/this"-- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
Heaven -- (CW, ) The word translated as "heaven" means simply the "sky," but it can also mean the "climate," or the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
missing "the/this"-- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
earth -- The word translated as "earth" means the physical planet, not society, which Christ describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the following verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
pass away, -- (CW) The "pass away" is from a verb that means means one thing going by another, one thing surpassing by another, or the "passing" the time. It also has the sense of arriving to a place and to "pass" a test. It does not mean "pass away" as in dying. The form indicates something acting on themselves. This is different than the form in the previous verse and later in this verse.
missing "themselves" -- (MW) The middle voice of the verb "pass away" indicates that the subject does something to, for, or by themselves.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
missing "the/this"-- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
words -- (CW) "Word" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative." It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. However, when applied to people, it means "repute" or "reputation." More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "logic," "concept, or "reasoning" to describe it but it also means the communication of various types, so "message" often works. "Teaching" might work but it is unrelated to the common words for "to teach," "teacher," and "student" that all have the same root. CW - Confusing Word -- The "word" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
shall -- (CW)This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the following verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if" or "when" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
not - -- (CW) The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying, "never" or literally, "you cannot really think." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
pass away. -- (CW) The "pass away" is from a verb that means one thing going by another, one thing surpassing by another, or the "passing" the time. It also has the sense of arriving to a place and to "pass" a test. It does not mean "pass away" as in dying. The form is not the future tense, as implied, but in a form that means something is possible and "should" or "might" happen.
missing "the/this"-- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
Heaven - (CW, ) The word translated as "heaven" means simply the "sky," but it can also mean the "climate," or the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
missing "the/this"-- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
earth -- The word translated as "earth" means the physical planet, not society, which Christ describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the following verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
pass away, -- (CW) The "pass away" is from a verb that means means one thing going by another, one thing surpassing by another, or the "passing" the time. It also has the sense of arriving to a place and to "pass" a test. It does not mean "pass away" as in dying. The form indicates something acting on themselves. This is different than the form in the previous verse and later in this verse.
missing "themselves" -- (MW) The middle voice of the verb indicates that the subject does something to, for, or by themselves.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
missing "the/this"-- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
words -- (CW) "Word" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative." It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. However, when applied to people, it means "repute" or "reputation." More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "logic," "concept, or "reasoning" to describe it but it also means the communication of various types, so "message" often works. "Teaching" might work but it is unrelated to the common words for "to teach," "teacher," and "student" that all have the same root.
will -- (WW)This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the following verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if" or "when" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
never -- The "never" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying "you cannot really think" or, more simply, "never".
pass away. -- (CW) The "pass away" is from a verb that means means one thing going by another, one thing surpassing by another, or the "passing" the time. It also has the sense of arriving to a place and to "pass" a test. It does not mean "pass away" as in dying. The form is not the future tense, as implied, but in a form that means something is possible and "should" or "might" happen.
missing "the/this"-- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
Heaven - (CW, ) The word translated as "heaven" means simply the "sky," but it can also mean the "climate," or the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. CW --Confusing Word --The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
missing "the/this"-- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
earth -- The word translated as "earth" means the physical planet, not society, which Christ describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the following verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
dissappear, -- (WW) The "disappear" is from a verb that means means one thing going by another, one thing surpassing by another, or the "passing" the time. It also has the sense of arriving to a place and to "pass" a test. It does not mean "pass away" as in dying. The form indicates something acting on themselves. This is different than the form in the previous verse and later in this verse.
missing "themselves" -- (MW) The middle voice of the verb indicates that the subject does something to, for, or by themselves. MW -- Missing Word -- This verb is a middle voice, which requires a "by/for themselves" or a "themselves" as an object.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
missing "the/this"-- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
words -- (CW) "Word" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning," but it has many, many specific meanings from "deliberation" to "narrative." It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. However, when applied to people, it means "repute" or "reputation." More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "logic," "concept, or "reasoning" to describe it but it also means the communication of various types, so "message" often works. "Teaching" might work but it is unrelated to the common words for "to teach," "teacher," and "student" that all have the same root. CW - Confusing Word -- The "word" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
will -- (WW)This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the following verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if" or "when" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
never -- The "never" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying "you cannot really think" or, more simply, "never".
dissappear. -- (WW) The "dissappear" is from a verb that means means one thing going by another, one thing surpassing by another, or the "passing" the time. It also has the sense of arriving to a place and to "pass" a test. It does not mean "pass away" as in dying. The form is not the future tense, as implied, but in a form that means something is possible and "should" or "might" happen.
ὸ [821 verses] (article pl masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
οὐρανὸς [111 verses](noun pl masc nom) "Of Heaven" is from the Greek ouranos, which means "heaven as in the vault of the sky", "heaven as the seat of the gods", "the sky", "the universe," and "the climate."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
ἡ [821 verses](article sg fem nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
γῆ [59 verses](noun sg fem nom) "Earth" is from ge, which means "the element of earth", "land (country)", "arable land", "the ground," and "the world" as the opposite of the sky. Like our English word "earth," it means both dirt and the planet.
παρελεύσεται, [5 verses](verb 3rd sg fut ind mid) "Shall...pass away" is from parerchomai, which means "go by", "pass by", "outstrip" (in speed), "pass away", "outwit", "past events" (in time), "disregard", "pass unnoticed," "escape notice", and "pass without heeding."
οἱ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) This is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be a weak connective ("and") and explanation of cause ("so"). λόγοι (noun pl masc nom) "Words" is from logos, which means "word", "computation", "relation", "explanation", "law", "rule of conduct", "continuous statement", "tradition", "discussion," "reckoning," and "value."
λόγοι [80 verses] (noun pl masc nom) "Word" is logos, which means "word", "computation", "relation", "explanation", "law", "rule of conduct", "continuous statement", "tradition", "discussion," "reckoning," and "value."
μου -- [239 verses](pro sg masc gen) "My" is mou, which mean "my," or "mine."
οὐ μὴ [39 verses](partic) "Not" is from ou me, the two forms of Greek negative used together. Ou is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. Mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective.
παρέλθωσιν. [5 verses](verb 3rd pl aor subj act) "Shall...pass away" is from parerchomai, which means "go by", "pass by", "outstrip" (in speed), "pass away", "outwit", "past events" (in time), "disregard", "pass unnoticed," "escape notice", and "pass without heeding."
The statement can be taken to mean that the abstract as expressed in words surpasses the concrete as expressed in the world and the universe.