ISB ~ Mark 13 v12

brother … father … children:The demands of Christian discipleship outweigh even the sacred duties of family unity and loyalty (Lk 14:26).

• The scenes of family strife recall Mic 7:6, where the prophet condemns Jerusalem for her rampant injustices (Mic 6:9-7:10). Although families were suffering internal division (Ezek 22:7), Micah assures Israel that the faithful will be vindicated by God.

Jesus evokes this oracle to paint a similar portrait of Jerusalem in his own day:disciples may suffer persecution, but they will be vindicated and delivered in the end (13:13).