13:4a

Tell us: The disciples were politely addressing Jesus, their respected teacher. They did not demand information. Express the phrase Tell us in a way that shows respect. For example:

Tell us,(excl) we beg
-or-
Teacher, please tell us

when will these things happen?: Here, the phrase when will these things happen? refers back to what Jesus said in 13:2. The question means, “when will the temple/buildings be destroyed?” If in 13:2b or 2c you supplied a subject such as “enemy” or “soldiers,” you may need to translate this as:

…when will they do this?

these things: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as these things refers mainly to the destruction of the temple that Jesus talked about in 13:2. It also may include other events connected with the destruction. In some languages you may need to use a more specific word or phrase. For example:

…when will these events occur?

13:4b

And what will be the sign: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sign refers to a signal or indication that something is true or that something will happen. In this context the sign would be a warning. The disciples believed that God would warn his people when these terrible events were about to happen. See how you translated sign in 8:11b.

Here are some other ways to translate what will be the sign:

…what will happen to show that…. (Good News Bible)
-or-
What will we see, so that we may know…?

that they are about to be fulfilled?: The phrase they are about to be fulfilled is literally “that they will very-soon be-accomplished.” It indicates that these events would soon happen. The word “be-accomplished” is different from the one that means “fulfilled.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

that they will happen soon
-or-
that they are going to happen (New Century Version)
-or-
that they are about to take place (Contemporary English Version)

If you used the subject “they” (to represent soldiers/enemies) in the previous verse part, you may need to use it here also:

What will be the sign that they are about to do these acts/actions?

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