Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
Tell {G2036} us {G2254}, when {G4219} shall these things {G5023} be {G2071}? and {G2532} what {G5101} shall be the sign {G4592} when {G3752} all {G3956} these things {G5023} shall {G3195} be fulfilled {G4931}?
"Tell us, when will these things happen? And what sign will show when all these things are about to be accomplished?"
“Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to be fulfilled?”
Tell us, when shall these things be? and whatshall bethe sign when these things are all about to be accomplished?
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Acts 1:6
¶ When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? -
Acts 1:7
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. -
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? -
Daniel 12:6
And [one] said to the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon the waters of the river, How long [shall it be to] the end of these wonders? -
Daniel 12:8
And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what [shall be] the end of these [things]? -
Luke 21:7
And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign [will there be] when these things shall come to pass? -
John 21:21
Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what [shall] this man [do]?
Mark 13:4 records the disciples' direct question to Jesus, prompted by His solemn prophecy regarding the destruction of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. This verse marks the beginning of Jesus' extensive teaching on future events, often referred to as the "Olivet Discourse."
Context
This pivotal question arises immediately after Jesus' pronouncement in Mark 13:2 that not one stone of the Temple would be left upon another. As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the very Temple He had just spoken about, Peter, James, John, and Andrew — His closest disciples — privately approached Him. Their question reflects their deep concern and natural human curiosity about the timing and identifiable signs of such catastrophic events. They likely connected the Temple's destruction with the broader concept of the "end of the age" or the coming of the Messiah's kingdom, a common Jewish expectation of their day. This passage has significant parallels in Matthew 24:3 and Luke 21:7, which also detail this crucial conversation.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The disciples' question consists of two main parts: "When shall these things be?" (πότε ταῦτα ἔσται; pote tauta estai?) and "what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?" (καὶ τί τὸ σημεῖον ὅταν μέλλῃ ταῦτα συντελεῖσθαι πάντα; kai ti to sēmeion hotan mellē tauta synteleisthai panta?). The word "sign" (σημεῖον, sēmeion) is significant, often referring to a miraculous or powerful indicator. They are not just asking for a general timeline but for a clear, identifiable marker that would signal the culmination of all the events Jesus had prophesied, including the Temple's destruction and, implicitly, the broader beginning of sorrows and the end of the age.
Practical Application
While the disciples were focused on precise timing and clear signs, Jesus' subsequent discourse (Mark 13:5-37) shifts the emphasis from chronological prediction to spiritual readiness and vigilance. For believers today, this verse reminds us that while curiosity about future events is natural, our primary focus should be on faithfulness, watchfulness, and enduring to the end (Mark 13:13). Instead of obsessing over "when," Jesus calls us to live prepared, discerning the times, and actively participating in the mission He has given us until He returns (Mark 13:33-37).