Luke 21:7
And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The questioners’ "therefore" reveals their astonishment, not just a simple query, but a plea born from hearing that the magnificent Temple would be utterly destroyed. Jesus doesn't directly answer "when," but rather redirects them to the signs, showing a gentle way of steering them from speculative curiosity to preparing for what truly matters.
Following Jesus' dramatic declaration that the magnificent Temple would be utterly destroyed, his disciples pressed him with questions. They urgently asked when these devastating events would happen and what signs would signal their approach. Jesus then begins to answer their inquiries about the signs, but his response weaves together prophecies concerning the fall of Jerusalem with the signs of his ultimate return.
The disciples zero in on two crucial aspects of Jesus' unsettling prophecy: timing and indicators. What drove their questions, and how did Jesus reframe their focus?
The disciples’ question, "Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?" reveals a common human desire for concrete timelines and predictable signs when facing significant events.
Timing and Certainty
Notice how their question combines both the timing ('when') and the identification ('what sign'), highlighting their mixed motives of seeking information and perhaps even anticipating a dramatic, easily identifiable end.
Jesus' words about the temple's destruction and the end times are deeply intertwined. How does one event serve as a shadow or type of the other?
The disciples' question, while seemingly focused on the immediate destruction of the Jerusalem temple, touches upon a much larger, future event: the final judgment and Christ's return. Jesus masterfully weaves these together.
Connected Destinies
Understand the original words
didaskale · Greek Noun
An authoritative instructor, specifically one who interprets the Law of God. In the New Testament, it is the title often given to Jesus, acknowledging His divine authority to teach truth.
sēmeion · Greek Noun
A miracle, occurrence, or prophetic marker intended to point toward a greater spiritual reality or a future event decreed by God. It serves as evidence of God's sovereign unfolding of history.
This question arises in the immediate context of Jesus' prophecy about the Temple's destruction. The disciples are grappling with the timing and signs of this catastrophic event, and Jesus links it to broader themes of judgment and His eventual return.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus predicts Temple's destruction
During Jesus' final week, as some admire the Jerusalem Temple, Jesus declares it will be utterly destroyed. This prophetic statement sparks intense curiosity among his disciples.
c. AD 30-33
Disciples question Jesus about signs
Four disciples, Peter, James, John, and Andrew, ask Jesus privately when the Temple's destruction will occur and what signs will precede it and His coming.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus gives prophecy of signs and judgment
Jesus responds with a discourse foretelling future events, including wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution, and the rise of false prophets. He also speaks of His eventual return.
c. AD 66-70
First Jewish-Roman War begins
Revolts erupt in Judea against Roman rule, escalating into a full-blown war that directly impacts Jerusalem and its inhabitants.
This passage records the disciples asking Jesus a similar question about the signs of his coming and the end of the age, highlighting the shared theme of eschatological inquiry.
Mark 13:4Mark's account also details the disciples' private question to Jesus about when these signs would occur, emphasizing the disciples' desire for specific timing and indicators.
Luke 17:20Jesus' response to a related question about the coming of the kingdom of God, where he states it will not come with observable signs, offers a contrasting perspective on how divine presence and timing are revealed.
Acts 1:6-7This passage shows the disciples asking Jesus about restoring the kingdom to Israel, demonstrating their persistent focus on temporal details and specific outcomes, much like in Luke 21:7.
2 Peter 3:10This verse speaks of the 'day of the Lord' coming like a thief, which aligns with the disciples' desire to know the 'sign' of Jesus' coming, yet Peter emphasizes its suddenness rather than predictable signs.
pooleLuke 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?"
Mark saith, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately. Matthew brings two things more within the compass of their question, viz. What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Our Saviour answereth this question from Luke 21:8-32 . The most of what he saith we have before met with in Matthew and Mark. It is the harder to…
barnesLuke 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?"
The account of the destruction of Jerusalem contained in this chapter has been fully considered in the notes at Matthew 24 . All that will be necessary here will be an explanation of a few words that did not occur in that chapter.
The questioners’ "therefore" reveals their astonishment, not just a simple query, but a plea born from hearing that the magnificent Temple would be utterly destroyed. Jesus doesn't directly answer "when," but rather redirects them to the signs, showing a gentle way of steering them from speculative curiosity to preparing for what truly matters.
Following Jesus' dramatic declaration that the magnificent Temple would be utterly destroyed, his disciples pressed him with questions. They urgently asked when these devastating events would happen and what signs would signal their approach. Jesus then begins to answer their inquiries about the signs, but his response weaves together prophecies concerning the fall of Jerusalem with the signs of his ultimate return.
Following Jesus' dramatic declaration that the magnificent Temple would be utterly destroyed, his disciples pressed him with questions. They urgently asked when these devastating events would happen and what signs would signal their approach. Jesus then begins to answer their inquiries about the signs, but his response weaves together prophecies concerning the fall of Jerusalem with the signs of his ultimate return.
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AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Roman army, led by Titus, besieges and utterly destroys Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy and causing immense devastation.
"And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”" — The questioners’ "therefore" reveals their astonishment, not just a simple query, but a plea born from hearing that the magnificent Temple would be utterly destroyed. Jesus doesn't directly answer "w…
