Mark 13:4
Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
First-century Jewish apocalyptic expectation connected temple fate with Messiah's coming and end-times. Intertestamental literature (4 Ezra, 2 Baruch) linked temple rebuilding/vindication with Messiah's kingdom. The disciples, steeped in this tradition, naturally assumed temple destruction meant world's end. Jesus' answer both confirms and corrects: yes, cataclysmic events come, but 'the end shall not be yet' (v. 7). AD 70 fulfilled the near prophecy; Christ's return awaits. Early Christians debated whether AD 70 was the Second Coming. By letter writing (2 Thessalonians, 2 Peter), apostles clarified Christ's return remained future. This interpretive challenge—distinguishing near/far prophetic fulfillments—continues in eschatological debates.
Questions for Reflection
- How does blending near and far prophetic fulfillments—temple destruction and Second Coming—teach us to read biblical prophecy carefully?
- What does the disciples' assumption that temple destruction meant immediate end-times reveal about human tendency to misread God's timing?
- How should Christians balance expectant hope for Christ's return with recognition that 'the end shall not be yet'?
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Analysis & Commentary
When shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? The disciples asked two questions:
The Greek pote (πότε, 'when') seeks chronological timing, while sēmeion (σημεῖον, 'sign') requests identifying indicators. They assumed temple destruction coincided with end-times and Messiah's kingdom establishment—a common Jewish expectation.
Jesus' answer (vv. 5-37) addresses both near fulfillment (AD 70 temple destruction) and far fulfillment (Second Coming), blending prophetic horizons. This 'prophetic perspective' collapses timeframes—like mountain peaks appearing adjacent from distance though miles apart. The disciples couldn't distinguish timing; Jesus warned of birth pains (v. 8) preceding the end. The Old Testament prophets similarly blended near/far fulfillments (Joel 2:28-32, applied both to AD 30 Pentecost and future day of the Lord).