Matthew 24:29 - Part 5 

We have arrived at verse three in our investigation of Matthew 24 - a critical chapter that deals with the Great Tribulation, and our current day of judgment: “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?”

The Mount [oros:G3735] Of Olives [elaia:G1636]

The location of where this conversation is taking place as the Lord proceeds to answer the disciples' (Peter, James, John, and Andrew according to Mark 13:3) question is significant for the following reasons:

• It was here that the Lord commanded two of his disciples in Mark 11:1 to unloose one of two colts, upon which He sat during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which served as the catalyst to fuel the religious leaders’ determination to put Him to death: “And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount [oros:G3735]   of Olives [elaia:G1636], he sendeth forth two of his disciples,” In the parallel account found in Luke 19:11, Christ uses the occasion to foretell of His judgment beginning “...at the house of God.” 
• In Mark 14:26 after the “Last Supper,” Christ and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane (i.e., “winepress” or “olive press”) “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount [oros:G3735] of Olives.” [elaia:G1636]
• In Luke 19:37 this statement appears, in contrast to His prophetic declaration about judgment beginning at “the house of God”  at the end of this chapter: “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount [oros:G3735] of Olives [elaia:G1636], the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;”
• Luke 21:37 is an important passage, as it chronicles two vital practices that were a part of the Savior’s day - teaching during the day and at night one can infer that he was praying, (according to Luke 6:12 - “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain [oros:G3735] to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”): “And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount [oros:G3735]  that is called [the mount] of Olives.” [elaia:G1636] This is also corroborated by the next two verses, especially when one takes into consideration His agonizing three-fold petition to the Father prior to His betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane:
• Luke 22:39 acknowledges, “And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount [oros:G3735] of Olives [elaia:G1636]; and his disciples also followed him.”
• And John 8:1 succinctly maintains: “Jesus went unto the mount [oros:G3735] 

 of Olives.” [elaia:G1636]

The foregoing citations reveal the importance of key events that are linked to the Mount of Olives; and we can add one other noteworthy factor, namely that in Matthew 24:3, Jesus “sat” (upon the Mount of Olives, and to “sit” in the Bible denotes rulership, and in this context, “the mount” is a reference to the kingdom of God.

Privately [kata:G2596] [idios:G2398]

The term, “privately” is a unique word in that it impinges on the very nature of Bible study, as we read in 1 Peter 1:20, in which it is translated, “of any private,” signifying  ‘one’s own’ interpretation: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private [idios:G2398] interpretation.” However in Matthew 24:3, there is another preposition that is attached to this expression, “privately,” which is generally rendered as “according to” (kata:G2596). Both of these words also surface together in a very crucial passage, namely in verse 34 of Mark 4:33-34, in which it is translated as “when they were alone”: “And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear [it]. {34} But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone [kata:G2596] [idios:G2398], he expounded all things to his disciples.” What God is highlighting in Matthew 24:3, among other truths, is that He reveals information exclusively to the elect, which is why He speaks parabolically, so that the non-elect to whom He has not given spiritual eyes and ears, are incapable of understanding. This principle originates in Isaiah 6:9-10, and is found about a half dozen times in the New Testament, attesting to its tremendous relevance.

Prayer Requests

• For the upcoming missions trip to Spain that Gunther will be going on, sponsored by E-Bible Fellowship.
• Lord willing, on April 22nd we will be resuming BMI’s studies in the Book of Judges on Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 5:30 PM (PDT)/8:30 PM (EDT) on YouTube. (Go to YouTube.com, and type in “Bible Ministries International” in the search bar.) By the way the Judges audio feed can also be heard simultaneously on our website at the same time.
• We have had some water damage problems in our home, that has required some extra expenses, and has unfortunately diverted our work on the studio as a result. 
• Please prayerfully consider making an extra donation at this time of year towards miscellaneous expenses related to the Spain trip, programming, the water damage, and  

medical treatment for one of our daughters that has been diagnosed with personality schizophrenia.

• Please note that we have a new schedule change for our Sunday programming our our website player at: www.bmius.org and on BMI’S Youtube channel: 

             Sunday Bible Study:  1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (West Coast)/4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (East Coast)

Q&A (Audio Only): 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM (West Coast)/ 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM (EasTOTT | Bible Reading: 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM (West Coast)/9:30 PM - 10:00 PM (East Coast)

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 

(1 Corinthians 15:58)