Matthew 24 15

Matthew 24:15 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:)

Matthew 24:15 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),

Matthew 24:15 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?

Matthew 24:15 esv

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

Matthew 24:15 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!)

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 15 Meaning

Matthew 24:15, found within Jesus' Olivet Discourse, presents a crucial prophetic warning: "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)." This verse points to a future event of profound sacrilege and profanity in a sacred area, directly linking it to prophecies found in the book of Daniel. It implies a visual sign signaling an imminent period of unparalleled tribulation and necessitating immediate discerning action, urging spiritual comprehension beyond mere literal observation.

Matthew 24 15 Context

Matthew 24:15 is situated within the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), Jesus' extended prophecy delivered on the Mount of Olives to His disciples regarding the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and signs leading up to His second coming and the end of the age. The disciples had just admired the Temple's grandeur, prompting Jesus' shocking declaration that not one stone would be left upon another (Mt 24:1-2). This verse provides a specific sign that initiates a period of extreme tribulation. The historical context includes the impending Roman-Jewish War, which culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in AD 70. However, Jesus' words, drawn from Daniel, also point to an ultimate, eschatological fulfillment beyond AD 70, encompassing events related to the end of time and the revelation of an Antichrist figure. The call "let the reader understand" suggests a deeper, prophetic interpretation necessary for those witnessing these events.

Matthew 24 15 Word analysis

• So when you see: (hotan oun idēte – ὅταν οὖν ἴδητε). This emphasizes direct observation and sensory perception, implying a concrete, observable event rather than a vague idea. It’s a direct command to future observers to recognize the specified sign.
• the abomination: (to bdelugma – τὸ βδέλυγμα). This Greek word typically refers to something detestable, disgusting, an idolatrous object, or something ritually defiling. In a biblical context, it almost always signifies a vile, unholy thing, particularly an idol or a sacrilegious act that profanes God's holiness (cf. Lev 18:22, Deut 7:26, 1 Kgs 11:5).
• of desolation: (tēs eremōseōs – τῆς ἐρημώσεως). This refers to a state of being laid waste, desolate, or abandoned. The "abomination of desolation" (genitive case) implies that this abominable act or object causes or results in desolation, ruin, or devastation. It's not just an abomination, but one with devastating consequences.
• spoken of: (rhēthen – ῥηθέν). A past participle, meaning "that which was spoken." It directly links Jesus' current prophecy back to a prior prophetic utterance.
• by the prophet Daniel: (hypo Daniel tou prophētou – ὑπὸ Δανιὴλ τοῦ προφήτου). This attribution clearly grounds Jesus' prophecy in the Old Testament. Daniel's book contains multiple references to the "abomination that makes desolate," notably in Dan 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11. Historically, these passages partially describe the actions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who desecrated the Jerusalem Temple in 167 BC. Jesus here indicates a future recurrence or ultimate fulfillment of this type of profanation.
• standing: (hestōs – ἑστώς). Present participle of "histēmi," meaning "standing," "having been set up," or "erected." It suggests a visible, fixed presence in the holy place, not merely a fleeting event. It might imply an idolatrous object or even a person asserting blasphemous authority.
• in the holy place: (en topō hagiō – ἐν τόπῳ ἁγίῳ). Literally "in a holy place." This refers primarily to the Temple area in Jerusalem, specifically the inner courts or perhaps even the Most Holy Place. In the broader theological sense, "holy place" could also signify the sanctuary or God's dwelling, which in the New Covenant is also the church or even individual believers (1 Cor 3:16; Eph 2:21). However, the immediate context of Jerusalem's destruction strongly favors the literal Temple in Jerusalem for the AD 70 fulfillment.
• let the reader understand: (ho anaginōskōn noeitō – ὁ ἀναγινώσκων νοείτω). This parenthetical aside is an emphatic call for careful interpretation and spiritual discernment. It indicates that the prophecy might be somewhat veiled or requires deep biblical knowledge to comprehend its true implications. It functions as a warning for vigilance and intelligent understanding, suggesting that the meaning might not be immediately obvious to all but requires insight. This also implies that Matthew's original readers would recognize the reference and grasp its gravity.

Matthew 24 15 Bonus section

• The term "abomination of desolation" is hapax legomenon (occurs once) in the New Testament within Matthew and Mark. Its specific combination directly points to Daniel's unique prophecy.
• The "standing" aspect of the abomination may signify either an idolatrous statue set up or a person establishing themselves with blasphemous authority in the holy precincts. The grammatical form (hestōs) is flexible enough to accommodate both interpretations.
• The "holy place" being profaned is a severe indictment, as the Temple was the epicenter of Jewish worship and a symbol of God's dwelling among His people. Its desecration signifies the ultimate violation of covenant and purity.
• The parenthetical "let the reader understand" is considered a "gloss" or explanatory note by the Gospel writer (Matthew/Mark), intended to signal the profundity and cryptic nature of the prophecy, requiring deeper insight than a surface reading. It assumes the reader is familiar with Daniel's prophecy.

Matthew 24 15 Commentary

Matthew 24:15 serves as a pivotal warning, drawing directly from the Old Testament prophet Daniel to identify a specific sign marking the beginning of severe tribulation. The "abomination of desolation" refers to an act or object of extreme sacrilege that causes devastating spiritual and physical desolation. Historically, this prophecy saw an initial fulfillment in 167 BC with Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who defiled the Jewish Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar and setting up an idol.

Jesus, however, re-contextualizes Daniel's prophecy, pointing to a future fulfillment for His generation, primarily identified with the events leading up to and including the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in AD 70. The Roman standards with their imperial images, particularly those brought into the temple courts or even later placed on its ruins, were seen by Jewish people as a grave abomination. Luke's parallel account (Lk 21:20), referring to Jerusalem surrounded by armies, offers a more direct, less veiled description of this specific historical fulfillment.

Beyond AD 70, most biblical scholars recognize an ultimate, future eschatological fulfillment of this prophecy, often linked to the "man of lawlessness" (2 Thess 2:3-4) or the Antichrist figure during the end times. This figure is depicted as defiling a future temple or holy place through blasphemous acts of self-exaltation and demanding worship, culminating in profound desolation. The nature of this "holy place" in the future could be a rebuilt Jewish Temple, or it could symbolically refer to the true Christian church, which is God's spiritual temple (1 Cor 3:16).

The command "let the reader understand" underscores the cryptic nature of the prophecy and the necessity for spiritual discernment. It is a call to be wise, to actively reflect upon the Scriptures, and to interpret signs in light of God's Word. This dual or multi-layered fulfillment warns believers across generations to remain vigilant for ultimate apostasy and sacrilege before Christ's return, prepared to flee and endure according to His instructions. The verse thus carries both a historical interpretation of Jesus' immediate audience and a prophetic interpretation for those awaiting His glorious return.