Mat 24:3-4 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 3. He sat upon the mount of Olives . . From that mount there was a magnificent view of the whole city. The disciples came unto him privately . Not all of them, but Peter, James, John, and Andrew, . The prediction that the temple would be destroyed, had been made in the presence of all the apostles. A part now came privately to know more particularly when this would be. When shall these things be ! There are three questions here: 1st. When those things should take place. 2nd. What should be the signs of his coming. 3rd. What should be the signs that the end of the world was near. To these questions he replies in this and the following chapters. This he does, not by noticing them distinctly, but by intermingling the descriptions of the destruction of Jerusalem, and of the end of the world; so that it is sometimes difficult to tell to what particular subject his remarks apply. The principle on which this combined description of two events was spoken appears to be, that they could be described in the same words , and, therefore, the accounts are intermingled. A similar use of language is found in some parts of Isaiah, where the same language will describe the return from the Babylonish captivity, and deliverance by the Messiah, and therefore was used by the prophet. , paragraph 7. Sign of thy coming . Evidence that thou art coming. By what token shall we know that thou art coming? (c) "end of the world"

Matthew 24:3-4

Verse 3. He sat upon the mount of Olives. Mt 21:1. From that mount there was a magnificent view of the whole city.

The disciples came unto him privately. Not all of them, but Peter, James, John, and Andrew, Mk 13:3. The prediction that the temple would be destroyed, Mt 24:2 had been made in the presence of all the apostles. A part now came privately to know more particularly when this would be.

When shall these things be! There are three questions here:

1st. When those things should take place.

2nd. What should be the signs of his coming.

3rd. What should be the signs that the end of the world was near. To these questions he replies in this and the following chapters. This he does, not by noticing them distinctly, but by intermingling the descriptions of the destruction of Jerusalem, and of the end of the world; so that it is sometimes difficult to tell to what particular subject his remarks apply. The principle on which this combined description of two events was spoken appears to be, that they could be described in the same words, and, therefore, the accounts are intermingled. A similar use of language is found in some parts of Isaiah, where the same language will describe the return from the Babylonish captivity, and deliverance by the Messiah, and therefore was used by the prophet. Isa 1:1, paragraph 7.

Sign of thy coming. Evidence that thou art coming. By what token shall we know that thou art coming?

(c) "end of the world" 1Thes 5:1 Verses 4,5. Take heed, etc. He first gives them a caution to beware of deception. They were to be constantly on their guard, as many would arise to deceive the people.

Many shall come in my name. Not in the name or by the authority of Jesus, but in the name of the Messiah, or claiming to be the Messiah.

I am Christ. I am the Messiah. Mt 1:1. The Messiah was expected at that time, Mt 2:1,2. Many would lay claims to being the Messiah, and, as he was universally expected, many would easily be led to believe in them. There is abundant evidence that this was fully accomplished. Josephus informs us that there were many, who pretended to Divine inspiration, deceived the people, leading out numbers of them into the desert. "The land," says he, "was overrun with magicians, seducers, and impostors, who drew the people after them in multitudes into solitudes and deserts, to see the signs and miracles which they promised to show by the power of God."

Among these are mentioned particularly Dositheus, the Samaritan, who affirmed that he was Christ; Simon Magus, who said he appeared among the Jews as the Son of God; and Theudas, who persuaded many to go with him to the river Jordan, to see the waters divided. The names of twenty-four false Messiahs are recorded as having appeared between the time of the emperor Adrian and the year 1682.

(d) "take heed" Col 2:8, 2Thes 2:3