Bible Strands
Mark 13:31
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to his disciples on the Mount of Olives, between his declaration that "this generation" will see all these things (v.30) and his statement that no one knows the day or hour (v.32).
The words — παρελεύομαι (pareleuōmai), "to pass away, be removed," is the verb that carries the antithesis; it is affirmed of heaven and earth but denied of "my words." The adversative δέ (de), "but," is the hinge that sets the two clauses in opposition.
The thread — The same antithesis appears verbatim in Matthew 24:35 and echoes Isaiah 40:8 and 51:6, where the created order fades but the word of God stands.
Why it lands — It asks the reader to treat Jesus' words as the one thing that will not be removed, and to weigh them above every created certainty.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
- Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.
- Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
- Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
- Matthew 5:18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
- Psalms 102:25 In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
- Hebrews 1:10 And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
- Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
- Psalms 19:7 The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
- 2 Timothy 2:13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.