Mark 13:14 - Printer Friendly

What does Mark 13:14 mean?

ESV: “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

NIV: When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong--let the reader understand--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

NASB: Now when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be— let the reader understand—then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.

CSB: "When you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be" (let the reader understand), "then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.

NLT: The day is coming when you will see the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing where he should not be.' (Reader, pay attention!) 'Then those in Judea must flee to the hills.

KJV: But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

NKJV: “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Verse Commentary:

"Abomination" is from the Greek root word bdelugma, which refers to a foul, detestable, blasphemous thing, such as an idol. "Desolation" is from the Greek root word eremosis and means something that has been stripped or laid waste. Some versions translate the phrase as "the abomination that causes desolation." The original event that defined the term occurred about 200 years earlier, when Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig to Zeus in the temple.

Preterists and semi-preterists believe the prophecies recorded here were fulfilled in or before the destruction of the temple by the Romans in AD 70. To justify that interpretation, the abomination of desolation is interpreted less literally. Some say it is the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem as a whole: to treat God's house in such a manner is supremely sacrilegious. Others think it refers to the way the Jewish leaders used Judaism to make money and gain power.

Another popular interpretation has to do with the sect of the Zealots and their actions leading up to the Roman army's siege. Zealots were as legalistic as the Pharisees, but very anti-Roman. They strongly held that the only leader of the Jewish people was God. They rebelled against the Romans in AD 66 and actually took Jerusalem. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, from late AD 67 to early AD 68 the Zealots occupied the temple area and criminals entered the Holy of Holies. They even committed murders inside the temple.

This is a point where translation from another language can easily lose subtlety of meaning. Looking at Greek, the masculine tense of the word "standing" adjusts the neutral "abomination;" in other words, this abomination is a man. Those who believe the Zealots incited the abomination say this refers to the new high priest, Phanni. But a literal interpretation of Revelation and the end-times prophecies in Daniel identifies this man as the Antichrist.

At the midpoint of the tribulation, the Antichrist will put an end to the sacrifices in the temple. An idol will be set up in his honor that people will be required to worship (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4; Revelation 13:13–15). The Antichrist and his entourage will make Jerusalem desolate (Daniel 9:27). The events prophesied in Revelation match this promise far better than the allegorical interpretations given by preterism. Though, it is possible that the prophecy has several layers of fulfillment and was perhaps fulfilled both prior to the destruction of the temple in AD 70 and will again be fulfilled during the end-times tribulation.

The aside, "let the reader understand," is explicit evidence that Jesus' warnings are to those who read Jesus' words in the future. The aside clearly is not something that Jesus spoke, but something that Mark wrote. Mark assumed readers of his Gospel would understand. It seems this aside could be especially aimed at believers in the end times. This also seems to be evidence that those who come to saving faith in Jesus will have the Bible available to them during the tribulation.

Mark 13:14–23 describes Peter, James, John, and Andrew asking Jesus for the signs that the temple will be destroyed and He will return to establish His kingdom (Matthew 24:3). Jesus has explained that wars, natural disasters, false teaching, and persecution will increase (Mark 13:5–13). Now He speaks of the second half of the end-times tribulation. It will start with the Antichrist erecting the abomination of desolation in the temple and end right before war and natural and supernatural disasters would cause worldwide extinction. Matthew talks a bit more about false prophets in Matthew 24:15–28 while Luke gives a shortened version in Luke 21:20–24.

Chapter Summary:

Days before the crucifixion, the disciples praise the glory of the temple. When Jesus tells them the temple will be destroyed, they ask for signs of that coming destruction and of His return (Matthew 24:3). Jesus answers their second question with information crucial for believers in the end times, and any time. Tribulation Christians will face horrifying hardships and violence, as may believers of any era, but they must remember that the hardships will not last. Jesus will return so quickly, any attempt to live by the world's rules will be futile.

Chapter Context:

The prior chapter contained several parables and Jesus' answer to assorted questions. In this section, Jesus turns His teaching towards the disciples. He explains concepts related to the end times: the still-future period when God will complete His plan for judgment on sin. Those details include a prophecy about the impending destruction of the temple. The final chapters of Mark then describe events up to and after the crucifixion of Jesus at the hands of His enemies.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.

Accessed 5/3/2024 10:42:46 AM