Bible Strands
Matthew 24:3
While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus sits on the Mount of Olives, having just declared the temple's total destruction (v. 2). Peter, James, John, and Andrew approach him privately (Mark 13:3) to press for a timeline.
The words — Καθημένου (kathēmenou, G2521) is a present participle of "sitting," marking a settled, deliberate posture — Jesus is not passing through but positioned to teach.
The thread — The same "when" question resurfaces in Acts 1:7, where Jesus deflects it to the Father's authority, and in 1 Thessalonians 5:1, where Paul notes the audience already understands the point.
Why it lands — The verse names the exact question every reader of eschatology brings: a timetable and a sign to watch for. It is the hinge on which the entire Olivet discourse turns.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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?
Cross-references
- Mark 13:3 While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,
- Acts 1:7 Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:1 Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you.
- Matthew 13:49 So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous
- Matthew 24:37 As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.
- Daniel 12:6 One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the fulfillment of these wonders?”
- Matthew 13:39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
- Luke 21:7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
- Matthew 24:32 Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.
- Matthew 21:1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two disciples,