Wednesday morning Jesus and the twelve apostles leave Bethany, as they had done on Monday and Tuesday, for another visit to the temple in Jerusalem When they arrive there is a contrast from what they experienced on the two previous mornings, for there were no Scribes nor Pharisees to confront them The people quietly came and departed, there was no tumult and no arguments
Jesus and his followers stood about and before long a certain poor widow came along and cast two mites into the treasury Jesus noticed the tiny gift, making comment to his disciples Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all, for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God, but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had Luke 21:2-3
None of the gospels enlarged upon this statement, although Mark is witness to the event (Mark 12 41-44)
Before long Jesus and the apostles go outside the temple and one of the disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” Mark 13:1. The apostles, being Jews were ever so proud of the temple building, for it was the one fixed token of former days. It was their precious anchor from happier days.
When Jesus commented it was a comment of foreboding and gloom, yet the apostles failed to see or feel the impact of the statement. Jesus, having foreknowledge, knew that the day was soon coming when Jerusalem would be completely destroyed. Afterwards the apostles thought on this subject, because all four gospels include a comment made by Jesus that Jerusalem would be destroyed. Matthew takes up a long discussion of this matter and the end of the age as noted in Matt. 24:3 to the end of chapter 26. In this long discussion by Jesus, known as the Olivet Prophecy, there are two thoughts, first the days before the massacre of the Jews by Titus in AD 70, and second the days when Jesus shall reappear. God will send His son to the earth in a day when the world at large least expects him. He will come as King of Kings. Rev. 19:16.
Matthew gives us a beautiful statement: “When the son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory; and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. Matt. 25:31-32. There will be a goodly number to enter the kingdom, but the ratio will be few in number as compared to the multitude that shall perish. Jesus told all peoples at the time he initiated his doctrine and mission by proclamation on the mountain side, :Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt. 7 :13-14.
It would seem that Jesus wanted to warn the disciples about false Christs; for he said “Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Go ye not after them.” Matt. 24:5.
Jesus made it clear that no man would know the time of his appearing, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matt. 24:36.
The long afternoon was spent in giving final instructions to the apostles and perhaps others, including the Greeks mentioned in John 12:20. There seems to be evidence to support this as shown by the exceptional and profound statement: “The hour is come, that the son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you except a corn (grain) of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.”
“Now is my soul (life) troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour; but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father glorify thy name.” Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.
The people therefore, that stood by and heard it, said that it thundered; others said, an angel spake to him.
Jesus answered and said, “This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgement of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
This he said, signifying what death he should die. The people answered him: “We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever; and how sayest thou, ‘The son of man must be lifted up?’ Who is this son of man ?”
Then Jesus said unto them, “Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth, while ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.”
These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them” John 12 23-36
This closed any and all public proclamations that Jesus was to make, for he now returned to Bethany for a special meeting with the apostles
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One