Mark 13:3

εἰς τὸ ὄρος : implying previous motion towards, before sitting down on the Mount of Olives. κατέναντι τ. ἱ., opposite the temple, with the admired buildings in full view; this graphic touch in Mk. only. ἐπηρώτα ([117] [118] [119]), singular: Peter in view as the chief speaker, though accompanied by other three; imperfect, as subordinate to ἤρξατο in Mark 13:5 explaining the occasion of the discourse Jesus then began to deliver. ὁ Πέτρος, etc.: the well-known three, and a fourth Andrew; a selection found only here. Were these all the disciples with Jesus, all who went with Him to Bethany in the evenings, the rest remaining in Jerusalem? The two pairs of brothers were the first called to discipleship (Mark 1:16-20). This reminiscence points to internal relations in the disciple-circle imperfectly known to us. κατʼ ἰδίαν, apart, i.e., from the rest of the disciples. Mt. has the same phrase, though he assumes all the disciples to be present, which is suggestive of literary dependence.

[117] Codex Sinaiticus (sæc. iv.), now at St. Petersburg, published in facsimile type by its discoverer, Tischendorf, in 1862.

[118] Codex Vaticanus (sæc. iv.), published in photographic facsimile in 1889 under the care of the Abbate Cozza-Luzi.

[119] Codex Regius--eighth century, represents an ancient text, and is often in agreement with א and B.