Mark 13:4

KJV

Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Tell us, when will these things happen? And what sign will show when all these things are about to be accomplished?"

Berean Standard Bible

“Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to be fulfilled?”

American Standard Version

Tell us, when shall these things be? and whatshall bethe sign when these things are all about to be accomplished?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 13:4 captures the disciples' urgent and deeply human inquiry to Jesus, immediately following His startling prophecy concerning the complete destruction of the magnificent Jerusalem Temple. As they sat privately with Him on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the very structure He had just condemned, Peter, James, John, and Andrew sought clarity on the timing and the specific, identifiable "sign" that would herald the fulfillment of these catastrophic events, implicitly linking them to the broader eschatological expectations of their day regarding the end of the age and the Messiah's coming.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal question serves as the direct catalyst for Jesus' extensive eschatological discourse, often referred to as the "Olivet Discourse," found in [Mark 13](/mark/13 "Mark 13 - The Olivet Discourse"). The preceding verses (Mark 13:1-3) set the scene: Jesus and His disciples are leaving the Temple, and one disciple marvels at its impressive stones. Jesus responds with a shocking prophecy in [Mark 13:2](/mark/13-2 "Mark 13:2 - Jesus Prophesies the Temple's Destruction") that "not one stone will be left on another." This pronouncement, coupled with the disciples' understanding of the Temple's centrality to Jewish life and theology, immediately prompts their private inquiry when Jesus later sits on the [Mount of Olives](/mark/13-3 "Mark 13:3 - Jesus on the Mount of Olives"), a location significant for prophetic pronouncements. The question in [Mark 13:4](/mark/13-4 "Mark 13:4 - The Disciples' Eschatological Question") thus frames the entirety of Jesus' subsequent teaching on the signs of the end, persecution, and His return.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The disciples' question is deeply rooted in the Jewish eschatological expectations of the first century. The Temple was not merely a building but the very heart of Jewish identity, worship, and national hope, believed to be inviolable. Its destruction would signify an apocalyptic shift, often associated with the "end of the age" (as seen in [Matthew 24:3](/matthew/24-3 "Matthew 24:3 - The Disciples' Question in Matthew")) and the ushering in of the Messianic era. Many Jews anticipated a glorious, earthly kingdom established by the Messiah, which would involve the restoration and exaltation of Israel, not the destruction of its holiest site. Therefore, the disciples' query about "when" and "what sign" reflects their attempt to reconcile Jesus' radical prophecy with their existing framework of understanding the end times, likely connecting the Temple's fall with the advent of the Messiah's kingdom or the final judgment. Historically, Jerusalem and its Temple were indeed destroyed by the Romans in AD 70, a cataclysmic event that profoundly shaped early Christian theology.
* **Key Themes:** The disciples' question in [Mark 13:4](/mark/13-4 "Mark 13:4 - The Disciples' Eschatological Question") introduces several enduring themes that Jesus will address throughout [Mark 13](/mark/13 "Mark 13 - The Olivet Discourse"). Firstly, it highlights **Human Curiosity About the Future**, particularly concerning significant, world-altering events. The disciples, like many throughout history, desire precise knowledge of "when" and "what signs" will precede the culmination of divine plans. Secondly, it initiates a profound **Eschatological Inquiry**, setting the stage for Jesus' most comprehensive teaching on the "last things," including the destruction of Jerusalem, the tribulation, the coming of the Son of Man, and the ultimate consummation of history. This discourse parallels accounts in [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse") and [Luke 21](/luke/21 "Luke 21 - The Olivet Discourse"). Thirdly, the question underscores the **Nature of Prophecy and its Fulfillment**, prompting Jesus to provide not a simple timeline but a complex tapestry of signs, warnings, and calls to spiritual vigilance, emphasizing readiness over mere chronological prediction. The disciples' focus on a singular "sign" contrasts with Jesus' broader description of a period marked by various indicators leading up to His [second coming](/mark/13-26 "Mark 13:26 - The Son of Man Coming in Power").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tell (Greek, _épō'_):** Derived from a primary verb, this word signifies "to speak or say," often with the implication of imparting information or giving instruction. Here, the disciples are not merely asking a question but are imploring Jesus to disclose crucial knowledge, seeking an authoritative revelation concerning the timing and signs of the events He has just prophesied. It conveys a sense of earnest request for direct communication.
* **sign (Greek, _sēmeîon'_):** This term refers to an "indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally," often translated as "miracle," "token," or "wonder." In this context, the disciples are not looking for a general indicator but a specific, unmistakable, and perhaps even miraculous marker that would definitively signal the imminence of the prophesied events. They desire a clear, divine signal to confirm the fulfillment of Jesus' words.
* **fulfilled (Greek, _synteléō'_):** Meaning "to complete entirely" or "to execute (literally or figuratively)," this verb implies the bringing of something to its absolute conclusion or consummation. The disciples are asking not just about the beginning of "these things" but about the definitive moment when all aspects of Jesus' prophecy, including the Temple's destruction and the broader eschatological events, will have reached their final, complete realization.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Tell us, when shall these things be?"**: This initial part of the question reveals the disciples' immediate concern with chronology. They are deeply troubled by Jesus' prophecy of the Temple's destruction and seek to understand the precise timing of such a cataclysmic event. Their use of "us" indicates a private, urgent inquiry from His closest followers, reflecting their personal investment and apprehension regarding the future.
* **"and what [shall be] the sign"**: Following their temporal query, the disciples shift to seeking a discernible indicator. They understand that such momentous events would likely be preceded or accompanied by clear, identifiable markers. They are not satisfied with a general timeframe but desire a specific, unmistakable "sign" that would serve as a definitive signal for the onset or culmination of the prophesied events.
* **"when all these things shall be fulfilled?"**: This final clause clarifies the scope of their inquiry. They are not merely asking about the Temple's destruction in isolation but about the complete and ultimate realization of "all these things" – implying a broader understanding that the Temple's demise is connected to a larger eschatological sequence, culminating in the "end of the age" or the full establishment of the Messiah's kingdom. They seek the sign that marks the final consummation.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 13:4 primarily employs **Interrogation**, as the entire verse is a direct question posed by the disciples to Jesus. This device immediately establishes the central tension and the narrative's trajectory, setting the stage for Jesus' comprehensive eschatological teaching. The question also contains an element of **Foreshadowing**, as it anticipates the detailed signs and events Jesus will describe in the subsequent discourse, including wars, famines, persecutions, and the coming of the Son of Man. Furthermore, there is an **Implicit Irony** in the disciples' request for a "sign," as Jesus Himself is the ultimate sign of God's kingdom, and His very presence and words are the most profound indicators of the unfolding divine plan, even as they struggle to grasp the spiritual rather than purely temporal nature of His kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The disciples' question in Mark 13:4 encapsulates a fundamental human desire to comprehend divine timing and discern the unfolding of God's purposes, particularly concerning future events. It highlights the tension between human curiosity and divine sovereignty, as Jesus' subsequent discourse will not provide a simple calendar but rather a call to vigilance and spiritual readiness. This passage underscores the importance of eschatology not as a speculative exercise, but as a framework for understanding God's ultimate triumph and the believer's enduring hope. It also reveals how deeply ingrained the expectation of a "sign" was in the Jewish mindset, a desire for clear, tangible evidence of God's intervention, which Jesus often redirected towards a call for faith and discernment.

* [Matthew 24:3](/matthew/24-3 "Matthew 24:3 - The Disciples' Question in Matthew's Account")
* [Luke 21:7](/luke/21-7 "Luke 21:7 - The Disciples' Question in Luke's Account")
* [Acts 1:6-7](/acts/1-6-7 "Acts 1:6-7 - Disciples Ask About Restoring the Kingdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The disciples' earnest question in Mark 13:4 resonates deeply with the human inclination to seek clarity and certainty about the future, especially in times of great upheaval or prophetic pronouncements. While their curiosity about "when" and "what sign" is natural, Jesus' subsequent teaching in the Olivet Discourse subtly redirects the focus from chronological prediction to spiritual preparedness, faithful endurance, and active watchfulness. For believers today, this passage serves as a vital reminder that our primary concern should not be an obsessive quest for precise dates or deciphering every current event as a definitive "sign," but rather cultivating a posture of readiness, living faithfully in the present, and diligently pursuing the mission Christ has entrusted to us until His return. It calls us to discern the times with wisdom, to persevere through trials, and to live with an expectant hope that shapes our daily actions and priorities, rather than being paralyzed by fear or consumed by speculation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my own curiosity about future events compare to the disciples' questions, and what does Jesus' subsequent teaching teach me about managing that curiosity?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to focus on "when" or "what sign" rather than on living faithfully and watchfully in the present moment?**
* **How does the call to spiritual readiness and endurance, as implied by Jesus' response to this question, shape my daily priorities and actions as a follower of Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why were the disciples so concerned about the "sign" of these things being fulfilled?**

Answer: The disciples' concern stemmed from a combination of factors rooted in their Jewish worldview and Jesus' recent, startling prophecy. Firstly, the Temple was the spiritual and national heart of Israel; its destruction, as prophesied by Jesus in [Mark 13:2](/mark/13-2 "Mark 13:2 - Jesus Prophesies the Temple's Destruction"), was an unthinkable catastrophe, often associated in Jewish thought with the "end of the age" or the coming of the Messiah's kingdom ([Matthew 24:3](/matthew/24-3 "Matthew 24:3 - The Disciples' Question in Matthew")). They likely interpreted Jesus' words through this eschatological lens, seeking a clear "sign" (Greek: _sēmeîon_) that would indicate the definitive arrival of these momentous events. Secondly, throughout the Old Testament, God often provided signs or wonders to confirm His prophetic words or imminent actions. The disciples, therefore, naturally expected a divine indicator for such a monumental shift in history. Their question reflects a desire for certainty and a practical guide for discerning the times, so they could understand when to expect the fulfillment of Jesus' profound and unsettling prophecy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 13:4, though a question from the disciples, ultimately points to Christ as the central figure of all eschatological fulfillment. The disciples' inquiry about "when" and "what sign" of the Temple's destruction and the "end of all these things" is answered by Jesus' subsequent discourse, which reveals Him not merely as a prophet of future events, but as the sovereign Lord who orchestrates and fulfills them. The destruction of the Temple, a key focus of their question, foreshadows the end of the Old Covenant system and its sacrificial practices, which find their ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Christ's once-for-all sacrifice on the cross ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Jesus Himself is the ultimate "sign" (cf. [Luke 11:29-30](/luke/11-29-30 "Luke 11:29-30 - The Sign of Jonah"))—the one through whom all prophecies are realized and in whom God's redemptive plan culminates. His promised return, the "coming of the Son of Man" ([Mark 13:26](/mark/13-26 "Mark 13:26 - The Son of Man's Return")), is the definitive eschatological event, superseding any lesser signs. Thus, the disciples' question, born of a longing for future clarity, is ultimately satisfied by the revelation of Jesus as the Alpha and Omega, the one who initiates and brings to completion all things ([Revelation 1:8](/revelation/1-8 "Revelation 1:8 - Alpha and Omega")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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]?