MAT 24:15-25

The Abomination of Desolation

15Jesus said: "So when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place — let the reader understand — [24:16] then let those in Judea flee to the mountains. [24:17] Let the one on the flat roof not come down to take the things out of his house, [24:18] and let the one in the field not turn back to take his cloak. [24:19] Woe then to those having in the womb and to those nursing in those days! [24:20] Pray, however, that your flight may not happen in winter nor on a Sabbath. [24:21] For there will be then great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor shall it ever come to pass. [24:22] And unless those days had been cut short, no all flesh would have been saved; but because of the elect, those days will be cut short. [24:23] Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ!' or 'Here!' — do not believe it. [24:24] For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. [24:25] Behold, I have foretold it to you."

In the world it was spoken into

In the first century, the mention of 'the abomination of desolation' would immediately evoke Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11), a text well-known among Second Temple Jews. This phrase referred to a sacrilegious act of defilement in the Temple, historically associated with Antiochus IV Epiphanes’ desecration in 167 BCE. For Jesus’ audience, this would signal a catastrophic event threatening the sanctity of the Temple, the center of Jewish religious and national identity. The instruction to flee to the mountains reflects a practical response to impending crisis, as Judea’s rugged terrain offered refuge from invading forces. The urgency to leave without retrieving possessions underscores the severity of the situation. The warning about winter and the Sabbath highlights practical concerns: winter travel was perilous, and Sabbath restrictions limited movement. The mention of pregnant and nursing women emphasizes the vulnerability of those unable to flee quickly. This passage assumes a Jewish audience deeply familiar with apocalyptic expectations and Temple-centered theology.

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How other translations render this

MAT 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:)
BSB: So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand),
Koinōnos: Jesus said: "So when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place — let the reader understand —

MAT 24:16

KJV: Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
BSB: then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Koinōnos: then let those in Judea flee to the mountains.

MAT 24:17

KJV: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
BSB: Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house.
Koinōnos: Let the one on the flat roof not come down to take the things out of his house,

MAT 24:18

KJV: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
BSB: And let no one in the field return for his cloak.
Koinōnos: and let the one in the field not turn back to take his cloak.

MAT 24:19

KJV: And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
BSB: How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers!
Koinōnos: Woe then to those having in the womb and to those nursing in those days!

MAT 24:20

KJV: But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
BSB: Pray that your flight will not occur in the winter or on the Sabbath.
Koinōnos: Pray, however, that your flight may not happen in winter nor on a Sabbath.

MAT 24:21

KJV: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
BSB: For at that time there will be great tribulation, unseen from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again.
Koinōnos: For there will be then great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor shall it ever come to pass.

MAT 24:22

KJV: And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
BSB: If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.
Koinōnos: And unless those days had been cut short, no all flesh would have been saved; but because of the elect, those days will be cut short.

MAT 24:23

KJV: Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
BSB: At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it.
Koinōnos: Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ!' or 'Here!' — do not believe it.

MAT 24:24

KJV: For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
BSB: For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
Koinōnos: For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

MAT 24:25

KJV: Behold, I have told you before.
BSB: See, I have told you in advance.
Koinōnos: Behold, I have foretold it to you.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 24:15

abomination:The word translated 'abomination' referred to something utterly detestable, often associated with idolatry or practices that were an affront to God.
of desolation’:The phrase 'of desolation' points to a state of utter ruin and devastation, often implying a place made barren and uninhabitable.

MAT 24:17

housetop:The 'housetop' in this context refers to the flat roof of a house, which was commonly used for various activities and as a place to escape quickly.

MAT 24:21

tribulation:The word translated 'tribulation' literally meant intense pressure or crushing, like being squeezed in a press, conveying severe distress and affliction.