Matthew 24:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),

NIV: "So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—

NASB: Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place— let the reader understand—

CSB: "So when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place" (let the reader understand),

NLT: The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about — the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.' (Reader, pay attention!)

KJV: When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

NKJV: “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand),

Christ's disciples responded to His prediction that the temple would be destroyed (Matthew 24:1–2) by asking a two-part question. First, they asked when that would happen. Second, they asked what signs they should expect to see prior to His return (Matthew 24:3). In the prior passage, Jesus addressed the second question, explaining the state of the world during the end times (Matthew 24:4–14).

Here, Jesus continues to speak on that subject. He points to a moment that will mark the onset of the worst possible calamities. This instance is the same one referred to by the prophet Daniel as the "abomination of desolation." Daniel speaks of this several times (Daniel 8:13; 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). It's interesting that Matthew adds a footnote here directly encouraging "the reader" to understand that reference. Mark, as well, includes the same advice when describing Jesus' words (Mark 13:14).

Some Jewish scholars felt this prophecy had already been fulfilled in 167 BC. Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the king of Seleucid, constructed an altar to the Greek god Zeus in the temple and ordered that unclean animals, such as pigs, be sacrificed there. This was a catastrophic, intense violation of the Jewish people. However, Jesus speaks as though Daniel's prophecy had not been fulfilled, at least not fully.

One interpretation is that the events of AD 66—70 partially fulfilled Jesus' prophecy here. The temple was "desecrated" by an act of sacrilege in AD 66 when Jewish Zealots killed priests and spilled their blood in the temple. "Desolation" followed in AD 70 when Rome burned the temple and tore it down. They set up their own standards of the Roman emperor Caesar, whom they worshiped as a god, defiling the temple yet again.

Another interpretation is that the rebuilt temple will be violated by the figure known as the antichrist (Revelation 13:1–4). This will mark the transition from a time of tribulation to one of "great tribulation" (Matthew 24:21). This more easily fits with the context of Jesus' remarks, which to this point have focused on the very end of history (Matthew 24:14). It also makes more sense of the idea that this abomination triggers an era so ferociously dangerous that it would destroy the entire world if not cut short (Matthew 24:22).

Jesus' warning for those who see this moment of abomination is to immediately run away from Jerusalem to escape the judgment to follow.

Matthew 24:15–28 begins with a warning to all in Jerusalem to flee to the mountains when the abomination that will bring desolation to the temple stands in the holy place. This will be a terrible time, especially for those who are particularly vulnerable. That tribulation will be worse than anything ever, though another tribulation will come right before Jesus' return. It will be cut short to save some of humanity and for the sake of the elect, all those who truly believe in Christ. When He returns, everyone will know.

Jesus makes a dire prediction about the destruction of the temple. Immediately after this, while seated on the Mount of Olives, Jesus responds to a question from the disciples. They ask when judgment will come and what signs will signal His return. Christ describes a season of unimaginable world turmoil and persecution. He points to a specific moment of defilement of the temple, at which point people should run for their lives. Jesus speaks of world-threatening tribulation which will be cut short right before He returns as King and Judge. Since nobody can possibly know when He will return, His followers must live in readiness.

Jesus has just left the temple area, after delivering a blistering criticism of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23). After predicting that the temple would be destroyed, He answers their questions about the end times. He speaks of a period when He will be gone from earth and they will be persecuted and killed. The world will be in turmoil, but the gospel will be preached everywhere. Nobody knows exactly when Jesus' return will be completed, so his followers should constantly be prepared. Jesus continues to teach on these themes in the next chapter.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.