Eschatological Discourse in the Synoptics

The Eschatological Discourse in the Synoptic Gospels
by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Definitions:

Eschaton (n.) = "the end of time"; or "the time of the end"; from the Greek word for "end" or "last."
Eschatology (n.) = the study of, or teachings about, the "end times" and/or the future world beyond the end of normal time.
eschatological (adj.) = anything having to do with Eschatology or the end of the world.

Note: The "Eschatological Discourse" (Mark 13 & par.) is sometimes also called "The Apocalyptic Discourse" or "The Little Apocalypse" or "The Synoptic Apocalypse"; but these should not be confused with "The Apocalypse," which is another name for the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament (see also my page of Apocalyptic Definitions).

The Eschatological Discourse:

Pericope	Mark 13	Matthew 24-25	Luke 21 (& other ch.)
Destruction of the Temple	13:1-2	24:1-2	21:5-6
When? Signs of the End	13:3-8	24:3-8	21:7-11
Coming Persecutions	13:9-13	24:9-14	21:12-19
Desolating Sacrilege	13:14-20	24:15-22	21:20-24
False Messiahs and False Prophets	13:21-23	24:23-28	[17:23-24, 37b]
Coming of the Son of Man	13:24-27	24:29-31	21:25-28
Parable of the Fig Tree	13:28-32	24:32-36	21:29-33
Summons to Watchfulness	13:33-37	[25:13-15]	21:34-36
Example of the Flood	--	24:37-44	[17:26-36]
Parable of Good and Wicked Slaves	--	24:45-51	[12:41-46]
Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids	--	25:1-13	--
Parable of the Talents	--	25:14-30	[19:11-27]
Parable of the Sheep and Goats	--	25:31-46	--

See the explanation of my Synoptic Coloring Scheme. | Click here for a parallel view of all three texts at once.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion:

Why are the disciples so impressed by the Temple buildings in Mark 13:1 and par.? And why is Jesus not impressed with them?
What does Jesus say about when the Temple will be destroyed? ...when the Son of Man will come? ...when the world will end?
To what does the "desolating sacrilege" refer, which Jesus mentions in Mark 13:14? (Hint: see Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; 1 Macc 1:54)
Who is the "Son of Man"? Where does this image come from, and what does it mean? (Hint: see Dan 7:13-14; Rev 1:7)
What "lesson" is to be learned from the fig tree in Mark 13:28? How is this related to the cursing of the fig tree in 11:12-14, 20-25?
What did Jesus mean by saying that "this generation will not pass away" until everything is accomplished (Mark 13:30-31)? Was his prediction wrong?
What does Jesus say about when (the exact "day and hour") all these things will occur?
What is the overall point or main message of the Eschatological Discourse as recorded in Mark's Gospel? ...in Luke's Gospel?
Why did Matthew add several more parables (three from the Q-source and two of his own) at the end of the Markan discourse?
How is the message of the discourse in Matthew different from Mark's version? Are the two complimentary or contradictory?
From the way each Evangelist records the words of Jesus, can you tell whether he himself (Matthew, Mark, Luke) was writing before or after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple by the Roman army in 70 AD?
Can we really know when the end of the world will occur? If yes, then how? If not, then why not?