Observation: These four disciples ask Jesus this question - the timing of 'the end' and the signs to accompany it - and Jesus gives a chapter-long response. However, there are two ways of reading BOTH the questions AND the response, and only one produces an actual answer.
The 'traditional' reading is that the question being asked is about the end-times. This is even the heading of this section that is standard in most translations (labeled 'end times' or 'end of the age'). The "these things" are therefore about the second coming of Jesus and the end-times judgements. Under this reading, the response from Jesus is about signs that lead up to the end - wars, famines, a potential antichrist defiling the temple, a 'tribulation' and a need to urgently flee, the darkening of the sun and moon and stars, and false prophets. Believers are to pay attention and wait, for eventually they will be able to interpret the signs and be prepared.
In other words, Jesus speaks for a chapter and yet doesn't answer the question at all.
However, the ... literal ... reading is that this is a question about the destruction of the temple. Jesus JUST told them the temple would be destroyed, and so the "these things" the disciples ask about are 'when' and 'how' they'll know to anticipate that destruction. Under this reading, Jesus accurately prophesizes about the eventual destruction of Jerusalem by Rome, and the scattering of the Jews from Judea. He predicts rumors of attack, and internal conflict and chaos within the empire. He accurately declares the Romans will defile the temple. He provides a word portrait of Jerusalem being burned with smoke so think it blocks out the sky, and with that comes the warning that, upon that sign, the Jews will need to flee the land in haste, being pursued even to death if they disobey. He tells them this will happen in their lifetime. He warns the disciples that for Christian Jews the prosecution will be even worse. He tells them that, during that time, some Jews will declare themselves to be the anointed saviors of the people, but do not believe them for they aren't saviors and they can't save the Jews. However, as believers in Jesus, the disciples are not to worry, for the destruction of Jerusalem and obliteration of Judea cannot in any way prevent Jesus' great work of salvation from being completed ... someday long after all this badness has happened and this temple is long-gone, Jesus will return to redeem the faithful.
In other words, with the exception of providing an explicit date and time, Jesus fully and completely answers the question, with even more detail than they asked for.
Application: We all ask Jesus for information and answers. We pray for clarification about what is going on, for insights into his purposes, for 'when' and 'how' things will happen. I know I ask these questions.
And I think Jesus answers. The problem is the answers don't fit our presumed context. We hear the answer, and wrongly assume which topic it is that Jesus is responding to. We ask about 'these things' and then don't even know the 'these things' we ourselves were referring to.
Maybe I ask about if I should be looking at new job opportunities, and I don't get any 'yes' or 'no'. However, I end up spending two hours with a friend who is struggling financially. Is that the answer to my question? If so ... can I figure out that answer? Do I even know what question I REALLY asked?
Yes, again I say, I think Jesus answers our questions. I think most of us don't know what our question was.
Prayer: Lord, I don't need to repeat any questions I have asked recently, for not only do you know them, but yes, you've answered them. Please give me your discernment and wisdom to understand your answers. Amen.
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