Mark 13:1
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!
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῦ
of his
G846
αὐτοῦ
of his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
4 of 19
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱεροῦ
the temple
G2411
ἱεροῦ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
6 of 19
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
7 of 19
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτοῦ
of his
G846
αὐτοῦ
of his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
of his
G846
αὐτοῦ
of his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἴδε
G1492
ἴδε
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
14 of 19
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ποταπαὶ
what
G4217
ποταπαὶ
what
Strong's:
G4217
Word #:
15 of 19
interrogatively, whatever, i.e., of what possible sort
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Ezekiel 10:4Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.Ezekiel 8:6He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations.Ezekiel 10:19And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD'S house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
Historical Context
Herod the Great began temple renovation ca. 20 BC to curry favor with Jews and display his architectural prowess. Construction continued until AD 64, just six years before Rome destroyed it. The temple complex covered 36 acres. Jesus spoke this ca. AD 30-33, roughly 40 years before fulfillment. The Olivet Discourse (Mark 13, Matthew 24, Luke 21) was delivered during Passion Week, Jesus' final days before crucifixion. The disciples' awe at temple stones shows they hadn't grasped His mission's radical nature—kingdom coming through temple's destruction, not preservation.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'magnificent stones'—impressive religious structures or traditions—might God be calling you to see as temporary rather than ultimate?
- How does the disciples' focus on external grandeur contrast with Jesus' focus on coming judgment and spiritual reality?
- What does this scene teach about the difference between human estimation of religious impressiveness and God's eternal purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! The disciple's wonder reflects Herod's temple's magnificence. Begun 20 BC, this expansion used stones up to 40 feet long, weighing 100+ tons. Josephus described white marble walls gleaming like snow, gold-plated pinnacles visible from miles away. The Greek potapoi lithoi (ποταποὶ λίθοι, 'what manner of stones!') expresses amazement at size and grandeur.
This marveling contrasts sharply with Jesus' imminent prediction of destruction (v. 2). The temple symbolized Jewish identity, God's presence, covenant faithfulness. To first-century Jews, imagining its destruction was unthinkable—yet Jesus foresaw it clearly. His prophecy fulfilled in AD 70 when Titus razed Jerusalem, temple stones literally toppled.