Mark 13:3 kjv
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mark 13:3 nkjv
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,
Mark 13:3 niv
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mark 13:3 esv
And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mark 13:3 nlt
Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him,
Mark 13 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Topic: Setting the Stage for Prophecy | ||
| Mk 13:1-2 | "As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, 'Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!' And Jesus said to him, 'Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left..." | Immediate context; the Temple's prophesied destruction. |
| Mt 24:1-3 | "Jesus came out from the temple... As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately..." | Parallel account initiating the Olivet Discourse. |
| Lk 21:5-7 | "And as some were talking about the temple... they asked Him, saying, 'Teacher, when, then, will these things be?'" | Parallel account where disciples prompt the teaching. |
| Zech 14:4 | "On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives... and the Mount of Olives will be split in two..." | Prophecy of Messiah's return to the Mount of Olives. |
| Acts 1:12 | "Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem..." | Mount of Olives as the location of Jesus' Ascension. |
| Topic: Significance of Mount of Olives | ||
| Mk 14:26 | "And after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." | Jesus' frequent place of retreat and prayer. |
| Lk 19:29 | "As He approached Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet..." | Jesus began His Triumphal Entry from the Mount of Olives. |
| Jn 18:1 | "When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron..." | Kidron Valley lies between Jerusalem and Mount of Olives. |
| Topic: Disciples in Inner Circle | ||
| Mk 5:37 | "And He allowed no one to follow with Him except Peter and James and John..." | Peter, James, John: witnesses to Jairus' daughter's resurrection. |
| Mk 9:2 | "And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and led them up on a high mountain..." | Peter, James, John: witnesses to the Transfiguration. |
| Mk 14:33 | "And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled." | Peter, James, John: witnesses to Jesus' agony in Gethsemane. |
| Lk 8:51 | "When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter... except Peter, John, and James..." | Peter, John, and James witnessing resurrection. |
| Topic: Private Teaching to Disciples | ||
| Mk 4:10-11 | "As soon as He was alone, His followers, with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables... To you has been given the mystery..." | Jesus explains parables privately to His disciples. |
| Mk 7:17 | "When He had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable." | Jesus explains deep truths in private settings. |
| Mt 13:10-11 | "And the disciples came and said to Him, 'Why do You speak to them in parables?' He answered... 'To you it has been granted to know the mysteries...'" | Disciples given unique access to spiritual truths. |
| Lk 10:23-24 | "Turning to the disciples, He said privately, 'Blessed are the eyes that see what you see; for I say to you, that many prophets and kings desired to see...'" | Highlights the privileged insight of the disciples. |
| Topic: Asking Questions for Clarity | ||
| Mt 15:15 | "Peter said to Him, 'Explain the parable to us.'" | Disciples' typical role in seeking deeper understanding. |
| Jn 13:24 | "Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus who it was of whom He spoke." | Disciples seeking clarification from Jesus. |
| Acts 1:6 | "So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, 'Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?'" | Disciples' continued concern with eschatological timing. |
| Dan 12:8-9 | "I heard, but I did not understand. So I said, 'My lord, what will be the outcome...?' And he said, 'Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end of time.'" | Example of seeking prophetic understanding; some aspects remain veiled. |
| Isa 6:9-10 | "He said, 'Go, and tell this people: "Keep on listening... Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart...'" | Contrast: others were meant to be obtuse, but disciples are given understanding. |
Mark 13 verses
Mark 13 3 Meaning
Mark 13:3 details the precise setting and the initiators of Jesus' extensive prophetic discourse known as the Olivet Discourse. After dramatically declaring the coming destruction of the magnificent Temple, Jesus settles on the Mount of Olives, which offers a clear view directly across from the Temple. Four of His closest disciples—Peter, James, John, and Andrew—recognizing the monumental implications of Jesus' words, approach Him in a private setting to ask for clarification. This intimate, unrecorded conversation marks the beginning of Jesus' profound teaching on the signs of the end of the age and His future return.
Mark 13 3 Context
Mark 13:3 directly follows Jesus' startling prophecy of the complete destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in Mark 13:1-2. Having departed from the Temple precinct, Jesus and His disciples traveled eastward across the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives. From this elevation, the magnificent Herodian Temple complex, a central symbol of Jewish national identity and worship, would have been directly in their view, starkly emphasizing Jesus' recent declaration. The gravity of such a prophecy about a structure deemed eternal, coupled with the clear visual, spurred the inner circle of disciples—Peter, James, John, and Andrew—to seek Jesus out privately. Their deep concern about the "when" and "how" of this immense event lays the groundwork for the entirety of Mark's version of the Olivet Discourse (Mk 13:4-37), a key passage on end-time signs, tribulations, and the return of Christ.
Mark 13 3 Word analysis
- "As He was sitting" (καθήμενου - kathēmenou): This present participle implies Jesus adopting a settled, intentional posture, typically indicative of teaching or engaged discourse. It suggests deliberation and the commencement of a significant instruction, rather than a casual interaction.
- "on the Mount of Olives" (ὄρους τῶν Ἐλαιῶν - orous tōn Elaiōn): A location saturated with biblical significance. It overlooks Jerusalem and the Temple, making it a fitting stage for this prophecy. It is prophetically linked to the Messiah's future return (Zech 14:4) and frequently served as a retreat for Jesus for teaching and prayer.
- "opposite the temple" (κατέναντι τοῦ ἱεροῦ - katenanti tou hierou): The Greek katenanti literally means "facing" or "directly across from." This precise positioning underscores the visual immediacy of Jesus' prior prophecy regarding the Temple's demolition. The hieron refers to the entire Temple complex, the extensive precinct, not just the inner sanctuary.
- "Peter and James and John and Andrew": These four comprise Jesus' innermost circle of disciples, often privileged witnesses to key events or recipients of specialized teaching. While Peter, James, and John often formed the core "trio," Andrew's explicit inclusion here highlights his direct involvement in initiating this crucial inquiry. Their distinct naming implies a direct and personal imparting of truth.
- "asked Him" (ἐπηρώτα - epērōta): The imperfect tense of eperotao denotes an ongoing action or the inception of a serious inquiry. It reflects their earnestness in seeking understanding about the weighty implications of Jesus' words, suggesting a sustained interest in the subject matter that would lead to the lengthy discourse.
- "privately" (κατ’ ἰδίαν - kat’ idian): Meaning "apart" or "on their own." This setting indicates that the subsequent prophetic discourse is specifically for these close disciples, not for the general public. Jesus often explained deeper truths or challenging parables to His disciples "alone" (e.g., Mk 4:10) for clearer understanding.
Word-groups analysis:
- "As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple": This opening phrase masterfully sets a dramatic and prophetic scene. Jesus assumes an authoritative, settled position on a mountain with profound eschatological implications, while the very subject of His prophecy—the magnificent Temple—is visibly before them. This powerful visual context imbues the following questions and answers with immense gravity.
- "Peter and James and John and Andrew asked Him privately": This grouping identifies the specific core of Jesus' followers who initiate this critical prophetic inquiry. Their decision to question Him "privately" emphasizes the deep personal impact of His Temple prophecy on them and signals that the subsequent teaching is a special revelation intended for them to grasp profound truths away from public misconception or superficial understanding. This intimate setting mirrors other moments where Jesus imparted distinct insights solely to His trusted inner circle.
Mark 13 3 Bonus section
The specific inclusion of Andrew among the select disciples—Peter, James, and John—is notable, as Matthew's parallel (Matt 24:3) merely states "the disciples," and Luke (Lk 21:7) implies the broader group asking. Mark's detailed naming of Andrew highlights his unique interest in this individual, potentially suggesting Andrew's specific role in prompting the question or a more intentional sharing of these key prophetic insights beyond the "inner three" at this particular moment. This detail adds to the distinctive eyewitness quality often attributed to Mark's Gospel, emphasizing that Jesus' teachings in this vital chapter were not just for an undifferentiated group, but were personally delivered to these foundational figures.
Mark 13 3 Commentary
Mark 13:3 provides the crucial bridge from Jesus' shocking pronouncement of the Temple's demise to His detailed prophetic teaching concerning the end times. The Mount of Olives serves as a strategically chosen location, not only overlooking the Temple and amplifying the significance of its prophesied fall, but also holding prophetic weight as the future site of the Lord's return. The private nature of the conversation with His four closest disciples underscores the exclusivity and profound importance of the forthcoming revelation, intended for those who would carry forward the message and live in light of these truths. The disciples' question reflects a deep concern not just about the Temple, but about the associated timing of the "end," demonstrating their understanding that the Temple's destruction was interwoven with ultimate eschatological events. This verse, therefore, sets a deliberate, intimate, and highly significant stage for the Olivet Discourse, a timeless guide for believers on vigilance, endurance, and discerning the signs of Christ's return amidst tribulations.