Mark 13:3-5 (also Matt. 24:3; Lu. 21:7)

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?”

From Jesus triumphal entry and His cursing of the fig tree, He continued His teaching ministry during His last days in Jerusalem. Here is a list of some of the topics on which Jesus taught.

• His authority—as it was questioned by the Jewish elders
• Three parables
• About paying taxes to Caesar
• No marriage in heaven
• The greatest commandment
• Seven woes on the Pharisees
• The widow’s offering
• Signs of the end times

This last point is where we are now. Jesus was near the temple sitting on the Mount of Olives. Some of His disciples were admiring the temple’s beautiful stones; and then Jesus began to tell them that soon it all would be torn down.

Then Peter (and also James and John and Andrew) were asking Him when these things would happen and what would be the sign of the end of the age. I think Jesus was ready and eager to reveal these things to them; for He spent all of Matthew 24 and 25 (and all of Mark 13, and Luke 21:5-38) speaking in great detail about these things. We have no record during His teaching of any questions or comments from Peter or any of the disciples on this subject of future things. Hence, I imagine that they were intently listening to every word.