Matthew 24:3

Authorized King James Version

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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?

Original Language Analysis

Καθημένου as he sat G2521
Καθημένου as he sat
Strong's: G2521
Word #: 1 of 32
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
δὲ And G1161
δὲ And
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 32
but, and, etc
αὐτῷ unto him G846
αὐτῷ unto him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 3 of 32
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
ἐπὶ upon G1909
ἐπὶ upon
Strong's: G1909
Word #: 4 of 32
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ὄρους the mount G3735
Ὄρους the mount
Strong's: G3735
Word #: 6 of 32
a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἐλαιῶν of Olives G1636
Ἐλαιῶν of Olives
Strong's: G1636
Word #: 8 of 32
an olive (the tree or the fruit)
προσῆλθον came G4334
προσῆλθον came
Strong's: G4334
Word #: 9 of 32
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
αὐτῷ unto him G846
αὐτῷ unto him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 10 of 32
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
οἱ G3588
οἱ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαθηταὶ the disciples G3101
μαθηταὶ the disciples
Strong's: G3101
Word #: 12 of 32
a learner, i.e., pupil
κατ' privately G2596
κατ' privately
Strong's: G2596
Word #: 13 of 32
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἰδίαν G2398
ἰδίαν
Strong's: G2398
Word #: 14 of 32
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
λέγοντες saying G3004
λέγοντες saying
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 15 of 32
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Εἰπὲ Tell G2036
Εἰπὲ Tell
Strong's: G2036
Word #: 16 of 32
to speak or say (by word or writing)
ἡμῖν us G2254
ἡμῖν us
Strong's: G2254
Word #: 17 of 32
to (or for, with, by) us
πότε when G4219
πότε when
Strong's: G4219
Word #: 18 of 32
interrogative adverb, at what time
ταῦτα these things G5023
ταῦτα these things
Strong's: G5023
Word #: 19 of 32
these things
ἔσται be G2071
ἔσται be
Strong's: G2071
Word #: 20 of 32
will be
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 21 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τί what G5101
τί what
Strong's: G5101
Word #: 22 of 32
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 23 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σημεῖον shall be the sign G4592
σημεῖον shall be the sign
Strong's: G4592
Word #: 24 of 32
an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 25 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῆς of thy G4674
σῆς of thy
Strong's: G4674
Word #: 26 of 32
thine
παρουσίας coming G3952
παρουσίας coming
Strong's: G3952
Word #: 27 of 32
a being near, i.e., advent (often, return; specially, of christ to punish jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 28 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 29 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συντελείας of the end G4930
συντελείας of the end
Strong's: G4930
Word #: 30 of 32
entire completion, i.e., consummation (of a dispensation)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 31 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰῶνος of the world G165
αἰῶνος of the world
Strong's: G165
Word #: 32 of 32
properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (jewish) a messianic period (present or future)

Analysis & Commentary

The disciples' question 'what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?' follows Jesus' prophecy of the temple's destruction (vv. 1-2). They conflated three events: temple destruction (70 AD), Christ's second coming (future), and the age's consummation. Jesus' discourse addresses all three, requiring careful interpretation to distinguish near fulfillment (temple destruction) from future fulfillment (second coming). The disciples assumed these were one event; history proved otherwise.

Historical Context

The disciples asked from the Mount of Olives overlooking the temple. They couldn't conceive the temple's destruction apart from world's end—the temple represented God's presence with Israel. Jesus' answer includes both near prophecy (70 AD) and far prophecy (second coming), teaching vigilance for an uncertain time.

Questions for Reflection

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