“Dic nobis, quando ista fient ? et quod signum erit, quando hæc omnia incipient consummari ?”
“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 about to be fulfilled?””
““Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?””
“Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when these things are all about to be accomplished?”
When shall these things be? The miseries that took place previously to the destruction of the temple and city of Jerusalem, were a figure of the extreme calamity that will happen before the last day, in the reign of Antichrist: hence Jesus Christ speaketh indifferently of both. (Bristow)
Verses 1-4 See how little Christ values outward pomp, where there is not real purity of heart. He looks with pity upon the ruin of precious souls, and weeps over them, but we do not find him look with pity upon the ruin of a fine house. Let us then be reminded how needful it is for us to have a more lasting abode in heaven, and to be prepared for it by the influences of the Holy Spirit, sought in the earnest use of all the means of grace.