Devine Scripture

Mark 13:3

What does Mark 13:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 13:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 13:3 means

After leaving the Temple area, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, which offered a direct view of the Temple across the Kidron Valley. Here, four of His closest disciples—Peter, James, John, and Andrew—approached Him privately. This intimate setting allowed them to ask a crucial follow-up question, indicating their immediate concern and bewilderment regarding His prophecy about the Temple's destruction. Their inquiry shows their trust in Jesus and their desire to understand the implications of His powerful words.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And as he sat on the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And as he sat on the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And while he was seated on the Mountain of Olives opposite the Temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew said to him privately,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And as he is sitting at the mount of the Olives, over-against the temple, Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, were questioning him by himself,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And as he sat on the mount of Olivet over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him apart:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And as he sat on the mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

Context

This verse marks a shift in location and audience for Jesus' teaching. Having delivered the initial prophecy publicly, Jesus now speaks to His inner circle on the Mount of Olives. This private setting establishes the context for the disciples' personal questions in verse 4, moving the narrative from a general prophecy to a more detailed explanation of future events and their signs, tailored for His closest followers' understanding.

v.2And Jesus said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left here one stone upon another, which shall not be thrown down.

v.3This passage

v.4Tell us, when shall these things be? and whatshall bethe sign when these things are all about to be accomplished?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 13:36

    Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

  • Mark 14:33

    And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly amazed, and sore troubled.

  • Mark 1:16

    And passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishers.

  • Mark 4:34

    and without a parable spake he not unto them: but privately to his own disciples he expounded all things.

  • Matthew 24:3

    And as he sat on 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?

  • Matthew 17:1

    And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:

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