“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The disciples’ question, "when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?" reveals a crucial misunderstanding: they conflated the destruction of the magnificent Temple with the end of the world itself. They were so awestruck by the earthly structure that they imagined its demise would signal the ultimate cosmic event, demonstrating how easily outward splendor can blind us to God's true purposes.
“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just declared that the magnificent Temple, which the disciples are admiring, will be utterly destroyed. As they sit with Him on the Mount of Olives overlooking the city, the disciples privately ask when this destruction will happen and what will be the sign that all these events are about to be completed. Their questions blend the immediate future of Jerusalem with the ultimate end of the age, revealing their awe at the Temple's grandeur and their confusion about Jesus's prophetic warnings.
The disciples were awestruck by the temple's grandeur. Jesus, however, saw its impending doom. Why the disconnect?
The disciples, like many today, were captivated by the impressive outward appearance of the temple. They marveled at the massive stones and magnificent buildings. Jesus, with His divine perspective, saw beyond the temporary splendor to its ultimate destruction. This highlights a crucial difference: our tendency to value what is seen and tangible, and God's focus on the eternal and unseen.
Jesus' response, 'Not one stone will be left here on another,' wasn't just a prophecy about the temple. It was a powerful reminder that all earthly structures, achievements, and glories are temporary. What truly lasts are God's words and His kingdom.
The disciples linked the temple's fall directly with Jesus' return and the end of the world. Have we made the same mistake?
When Jesus declared the temple would be destroyed, the disciples' minds immediately jumped to the 'end of the world' and His glorious return. They asked, 'When will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are accomplished?' (Mark 13:4).
Their confusion stemmed from a misunderstanding of eschatology – the study of end times. They saw the destruction of the temple and the coming of Christ's kingdom as one, immediate event. Jesus, however, begins to unfold a more complex timeline: the temple's fall is a significant event, but it's only the 'beginning of sorrows' (Mark 13:8), not the final consummation.
This shows us the importance of carefully distinguishing between prophetic events. Just because Jesus predicted difficult times, wars, and natural disasters doesn't mean the absolute end is here. We need discernment to understand the unfolding of God's plan.
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Understand the original words
sēmeion · Greek Noun
A miraculous or supernatural occurrence, or a specific event serving as a token or evidence to validate a message or indicate a future reality.
synteleisthai · Greek Verb
To be brought to a finish, completed, or fully realized; often used in eschatological contexts to describe the fulfillment of divine purposes or prophecies.
The disciples' awe at the Temple's grandeur led them to ask Jesus about its future and the end times. His prophecy of its destruction, fulfilled in AD 70, serves as a stark reminder that earthly splendors are fleeting, while His words endure.
c. 20-18 BC
Herod the Great begins Temple Renovation
King Herod the Great begins a massive, multi-decade project to renovate and expand the Second Temple in Jerusalem, creating the magnificent structure the disciples so admired.
c. AD 28
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, a period of immense spiritual fervor that would soon draw the attention of Roman authorities and Jewish leaders.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Predicts Temple Destruction
Jesus predicts the utter destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, stating not one stone will be left upon another, shortly before his crucifixion.
AD 66
First Jewish-Roman War Begins
Revolt erupts in Judea against Roman rule, leading to escalating conflict and eventually the Roman siege of Jerusalem.
AD 70
Destruction of the Second Temple
Roman legions under Titus conquer Jerusalem and utterly destroy the Second Temple, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy and marking a catastrophic turning point for Judaism.
This passage provides a parallel account from Matthew's Gospel, where the disciples ask Jesus about the signs of His coming and the end of the age, directly complementing the questions posed in Mark about the completion of these events.
Luke 21:7Luke's Gospel also records this conversation, focusing on the disciples' desire to know 'when' these events would happen and 'what sign' would indicate their fulfillment, mirroring the same core inquiries.
Jeremiah 31:34While not a direct dialogue, Jeremiah's prophecy about a new covenant where all will know God speaks to the ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes, which the disciples were implicitly asking about when inquiring about the end of the age.
Daniel 12:4This prophecy in Daniel speaks of knowledge increasing and many running to and fro, which is often understood as a sign of the end times, offering a prophetic perspective on the signs the disciples were seeking.
2 Peter 3:3-4Peter addresses the skepticism about Jesus' return and the signs of the end, reminding believers that scoffers will arise, which connects to Jesus' warning about deception even as the disciples seek clear signs.
calvinMark 13:1-8: "And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!"
- And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple, and his disciples came to him, to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2. And Jesus said to them, Do you not see all these things? Verily I say to you, There shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down. 3. And while he was sitting on the mountain of Olives, the…
ellicottMark 13:4: "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?"
(4) When shall these things be? —Note, as, perhaps, characteristic of a Gospel written for Gentiles, the use of the vaguer words for the more definite “sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world,” in Matthew 24:3 .
The disciples’ question, "when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?" reveals a crucial misunderstanding: they conflated the destruction of the magnificent Temple with the end of the world itself. They were so awestruck by the earthly structure that they imagined its demise would signal the ultimate cosmic event, demonstrating how easily outward splendor can blind us to God's true purposes.
Jesus has just declared that the magnificent Temple, which the disciples are admiring, will be utterly destroyed. As they sit with Him on the Mount of Olives overlooking the city, the disciples privately ask when this destruction will happen and what will be the sign that all these events are about to be completed. Their questions blend the immediate future of Jerusalem with the ultimate end of the age, revealing their awe at the Temple's grandeur and their confusion about Jesus's prophetic warnings.
Jesus has just declared that the magnificent Temple, which the disciples are admiring, will be utterly destroyed. As they sit with Him on the Mount of Olives overlooking the city, the disciples privately ask when this destruction will happen and what will be the sign that all these events are about to be completed. Their questions blend the immediate future of Jerusalem with the ultimate end of the age, revealing their awe at the Temple's grandeur and their confusion about Jesus's prophetic warnings.
"“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”" — The disciples’ question, "when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?" reveals a crucial misunderstanding: they conflated the destruction…
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Last reviewed October 2026