3.  Leaving the city of Jerusalem after:  Rebuking the Pharisees – Mt. 23  Foreshadowing Jerusalem’s Fall- 23.37ff  Praising the widow – Mark 12.41ff  Exiting the city, one of His followers remarks on the temple:  In response, Jesus reveals the future: Luke 21:5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations… Matthew 24:1 …and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. Mark 13:1 …one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!" Matthew 24:2 "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

4.  The disciples struggled with what Jesus was saying:  Peter, Andrew, James, and John came to get further clarification – Mk. 13.3-4  As Matthew records, their questions revealed a misunderstanding – Mt. 24.3  They misunderstood the kingdom (Acts 1.6).  They thus misunderstood Jesus’ words here.  To the disciples, the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple could only mean the “end of the age” (KJV – world).  Jesus will deal with their question on Jerusalem’s destruction first, before proceeding to discuss the end of time.

5.  The shock of Jesus’ words leads immediately to this question—WHEN?  “When?” is a natural question for these men after being confronted by such shattering imagery.  A different question could have proved immensely beneficial for the confused, but dedicated, followers- Acts 1.6  The question the disciples never ask?  WHY?  Asking this question:  Might have prevented the Garden skirmish.  Would have clarified the Acts 1.6 question.  Could have kept Peter from lying.

6.  Why would Jerusalem be destroyed?  The hypocrisy of the nation – Mt. 23.1-5  They devoured the needy – 23.14 › Cf. Luke 20.46-21.5 › “It is never right to do wrong to do right.”  Their obedience was empty – 23.23  Rejection of God’s message– 23.33-36  Their fathers did so – 23.35  They were doing so – Matthew 12.14  Rejection of God’s Son – 23.37- 39  Judaism was never intended to be permanent – Hebrews 8  It found its purpose in drawing men and women to Christ – Galatians 3.23-24

7.  What does the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70 communicate to us?  The mighty power of God.  Daniel 4.32; Luke 21.20  God’s disdain for hypocrisy.  Jeremiah 7.4,12; Matthew 23.36-37  The superiority of Christianity.  Zechariah 11.11; Daniel 2.44  The divinity of Jesus Christ.  John 10.38