“Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?”
The full verse · Mark 13:4 · KJV
, shall these ? shall be the these be ?
Asked by
Peter, James Son of Zebedee, John, Andrew
Peter: Simon called Peter, one of the twelve apostles; James Son of Zebedee: brother of John, one of the twelve; John: son of Zebedee, one of the twelve; Andrew: Peter's brother, one of the twelve; the four asked Jesus "privately" on the mount of Olives (Mark 13:3)
Asked to
Jesus: the Son of God and promised Messiah, sitting on the mount of Olives "over against the temple" after foretelling its destruction (Mark 13:2-3)
The Scene
Jesus sits on the mount of Olives across from the temple, and four of His disciples come to Him privately after He has said that not one stone of it will be left upon another (Mark 13:2-3).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJesus' words about the temple led to their question. They asked two things. First, when: "when shall these things be?" Second, how they would know it was near: "what shall be the sign?" Gill takes "these things" to mean the time "when the temple will be destroyed, and these fine buildings shall be demolished." He says these four came privately because they were, "especially the first three, his favourites, and very familiar with him."
The Response
What Scripture recordsJesus answered at length (Mark 13:5-37), but He began with a warning, not a date: "Take heed lest any man deceive you" (Mark 13:5). He described false christs, wars, earthquakes, famines, and persecution, and told them "the end shall not be yet" (Mark 13:7). He gave them signs to watch for, yet said plainly of the final day, "of that day and that hour knoweth no man" except the Father (Mark 13:32). He ended with one command: "Take ye heed, watch and pray" (Mark 13:33), and "what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch" (Mark 13:37).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsThe mount of Olives stands opposite the temple, and Barnes notes that "from it there was a fine view of the temple." So the disciples asked while looking at the buildings Jesus had just said would fall. Barnes says "the principal things in this chapter are fully explained in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew." The Gospels word the second question differently. Mark has "the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled"; Luke has "what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?" (Luke 21:7); only Matthew has "the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world" (Matthew 24:3). Gill links Mark's question to that fuller form.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThis question shows how Jesus handles our desire to know the future. He does not mock the disciples for asking. He gives them real warnings and real signs. But He does not hand them a calendar. The Father alone knows the day and the hour (Mark 13:32).
Jesus turns their question about when into a call about how to live: take heed, watch, and pray. The future is in God's hands, and "my words shall not pass away" (Mark 13:31). Faith does not need every date. It needs a Lord who has "foretold you all things" that matter (Mark 13:23) and the readiness to keep watching.
Look Closer
What led the four disciples to ask this question?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Father, You alone know the day and the hour; when I want to know what is coming, how do You want me to watch and pray today?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- The disciples wanted to know when and what sign. Why do you think people want to know the future, and what does that desire reveal about our hearts?
- Jesus answered with "watch and pray." Tell about a season of uncertainty when watching and praying helped you more than knowing the details would have.
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
You can bring your questions about the future to Jesus. The disciples did, and He answered them seriously. But notice what He emphasized: do not be deceived, do not be troubled, and keep watch.
When news of wars and disasters stirs fear, remember Jesus' words: "be ye not troubled" (Mark 13:7). And when someone claims to know the exact timetable, remember that "of that day and that hour knoweth no man" (Mark 13:32).
This does not mean paying no attention to the times. Jesus gave signs so His people would be ready. The goal is readiness, not prediction. Scripture's own application: Mark 13:37
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”
“Master, but when shall these things be? And what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?”
“Seest thou these great buildings?”
“See ye not all these things?”