Matthew 24:3

“And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, etc.] Which was on the east of the city of Jerusalem f1355, “over against the temple”, as Mark says, and where he could sit and take a full view of it; for the wall on the east side was lower than any other, and that for this reason; that when the high priest burnt the red heifer on this mount, as he did, and sprinkled the blood, he might have a view of the gate of the temple. It is said f1356, “all the walls which were there, were very high, except the eastern wall; for the high priest, when he burned the heifer, stood on the top of the mount of Olives, and directed himself, and looked to the gate of the temple, at the time he sprinkled the blood.”…”

“He sat upon the Mount of Olives - See the notes at Matthew 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, Mark 13:3. The prediction that the temple would be destroyed Matthew 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: 1.When those things should take place 2.What should be the signs of his own coming 3.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…”

“As he sat on the mount of Olives - Whence they had a full view of the temple. When shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? - The disciples inquire confusedly, Concerning the time of the destruction of the temple; Concerning the signs of Christ's coming, and of the end of the world, as if they imagined these two were the same thing. Our Lord answers distinctly concerning, The destruction of the temple and city, with the signs preceding, Mat 24:4, &c, Mat 24:15, &c. His own coming, and the end of the world, with the signs thereof, Mat 24:29-31. The time of the destruction of the temple, Mat 24:32, &c.. The time of the end of the world, Mat…”

“24:3 The Greek term translated return is parousia, which can mean coming or appearing. • end of the world (or end of the age): This expression refers to the climax and end of an epoch in salvation history (see 13:39-40, 49; also Heb 9:26). Jesus’ second coming will bring normal history to a close with decisive judgment. The disciples assumed that the destruction of the Temple and the end of history were closely connected.”

“he sat: Mat 21:1; Mar 13:3, Mar 13:4 the disciples: Mat 13:10, Mat 13:11, Mat 13:36, Mat 15:12, Mat 17:19 Tell: Dan 12:6-8; Luk 21:7; Joh 21:21, Joh 21:22; Act 1:7; Th1 5:1-11 the sign: Mat 24:32, Mat 24:33, Mat 24:43 the end: Mat 13:39, Mat 13:40, Mat 13:49, Mat 28:20; Heb 9:26 Matthew 24:4”