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‍Matthew 24 - Part 6

In our examination of Matthew 24, we have arrived at verse 3, which states: "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?"

We left off at the word, “privately” last month, so now we must turn our attention to the disciples provocative questions.

Tell [eipon:G2036] Us [hemin:G2254]

The two terms, “tell us,” which precede the disciples’ questions is also found in the parallel account of Mark 13:4, “Tell [eipon:G2036] us [hemin:G2254], when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” In light of this, one has to keep in mind that the disciples knew that the Lord would reveal information to them because of what we read in Mark 4:11-12, “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables: {12} That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and [their] sins should be forgiven them.” 

When [pote:G4219] Shall [esomai:G2071] These Things [tauta:G5023] Be [esomai:G2071]

The first question the disciples ask is: “when shall these things be?” which is comprised of three Greek terms that only appear together in the parallel accounts of Mark 13:4 and Luke 21:7 respectively:

Mark 13:4 states: “Tell us, when [pote:G4219] shall these things [tauta:G5023] be? [esomai:G2071] and what [shall be] the sign when all these things [tauta:G5023] shall be fulfilled?”

Luke 21:7 likewise asserts, “And they asked him, saying, Master, but when [pote:G4219] shall these things [tauta:G5023] be? [esomai:G2071 and what sign [will there be] when these things [tauta:G5023] shall come to pass?”

The disciples’ first question contains a  time reference - “when” - which the Lord does not dismiss out of hand, as many who insist that “no man knows the day and hour,” and yet the Lord does not respond to the disciples’ enquiry in this manner at all. Those who cling to such a false notion do not take into account, for example, the context of the Mark 13 account, in verses 32-27,

“But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. {33} Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. {34} [For the Son of man is] as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. {35} Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: {36} Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. {37} And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” 

Besides not recognizing that the terms, “day and hour” spiritually point to judgment, and that “know[ing]” has to do with “experiencing,” they also fail to understand that what cannot be ascertained is the “time of day” (“cockcrowing,” “morning,” “even,” and “midnight”) of Christ’s appearance on the very last day of this prolonged “day of judgment” that we are currently in.

Lord willing, we will continue our examination of Matthew 24:3 next month.

Prayer Requests/Praise Report

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