“Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?”
Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled? — the disciples' two-part question conflates two distinct events that Jesus will partially separate in the discourse: when will the temple be destroyed, and what will be the sign of all these things being fulfilled? The conflation produces the interpretive challenge of the discourse: distinguishing which parts refer to the 70 CE destruction and which to the final consummation.
Church Fathers on Mark 13:4
Because the Lord, when some were praising the buildings of the temple, had plainly answered that all these were to be destroyed, the disciples privately enquired about the time and the signs of the destruction which was foretold.
In answer to the disciples, the Lord tells them of things which were from that time forth to have their course; whether He meant the destruction of Jerusalem which occasioned their question, or His own coming through the Church, (in which He ever comes even unto the end, for we know that He comes in His own, when His members are born day by day,) or the end itself, in which He will appear to judge the quick and the dead.
But before answering their question, He strengthens their minds that they may not be deceived.
Read all 6 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!