Mark 13:3

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

And {G2532} as he {G846} sat {G2521} upon {G1519} the mount {G3735} of Olives {G1636} over against {G2713} the temple {G2411}, Peter {G4074} and {G2532} James {G2385} and {G2532} John {G2491} and {G2532} Andrew {G406} asked {G1905} him {G846} privately {G2596}{G2398},

As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple, Kefa, Ya`akov, Yochanan and Andrew asked him privately,

While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,

And as he sat on the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

Mark 13:3 sets the scene for one of Jesus' most significant prophetic discourses, often referred to as the "Olivet Discourse."

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' somber prophecy in Mark 13:2, where He declared that not one stone of the magnificent Jerusalem Temple would be left upon another. As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, which offers a panoramic view directly "over against" (Greek: katenanti, meaning 'opposite' or 'facing') the Temple, His closest disciples — Peter, James, John, and Andrew — approached Him. Their private inquiry indicates their deep concern and curiosity about the timing and signs related to such a momentous prediction. This intimate setting allows Jesus to deliver profound teachings about the end times, the destruction of Jerusalem, and His second coming, paralleled in Matthew 24 and Luke 21.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Inquiry: The disciples' private question highlights their desire for understanding concerning future events, particularly the destruction of the Temple and the signs of Jesus' return.
  • Intimate Teaching: Jesus' decision to share these profound prophecies with His inner circle underscores the significance and sensitivity of the information. These four disciples were often privy to His most personal moments, such as the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2) and the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33).
  • Symbolic Setting: The Mount of Olives, facing the Temple, acts as a powerful visual aid for the ensuing discourse. It emphasizes the direct relationship between the prophecy and the very structure they were observing.

Significance and Application

This verse serves as the gateway to the Olivet Discourse, a critical passage for understanding Christian eschatology (the study of end times). It teaches us the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding from Christ regarding God's future plans. The disciples' initiative to ask privately demonstrates a commendable desire to grasp the implications of Jesus' words. For believers today, it encourages a similar earnestness in studying biblical prophecy and discerning the signs of the times, while trusting in God's sovereign control over history and the future.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 4:34

    But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

  • Matthew 21:1

    ¶ And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

  • Matthew 24:3

    And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

  • Mark 5:37

    And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

  • Mark 1:16

    Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

  • Mark 1:19

    And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

  • Matthew 13:36

    Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

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