Mark 13:14
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:
Original Language Analysis
Ὅταν
when
G3752
Ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
1 of 29
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
ἴδητε
ye shall see
G1492
ἴδητε
ye shall see
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 29
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπὸ
of by
G5259
ὑπὸ
of by
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
10 of 29
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφήτου,
the prophet
G4396
προφήτου,
the prophet
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
13 of 29
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
ἑστός
standing
G2476
ἑστός
standing
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
14 of 29
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
δεῖ
it ought
G1163
δεῖ
it ought
Strong's:
G1163
Word #:
17 of 29
also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀναγινώσκων
(let him that readeth
G314
ἀναγινώσκων
(let him that readeth
Strong's:
G314
Word #:
19 of 29
to know again, i.e., (by extension) to read
νοείτω
understand
G3539
νοείτω
understand
Strong's:
G3539
Word #:
20 of 29
to exercise the mind (observe), i.e., (figuratively) to comprehend, heed
τότε
then
G5119
τότε
then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
21 of 29
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰουδαίᾳ
Judaea
G2449
Ἰουδαίᾳ
Judaea
Strong's:
G2449
Word #:
25 of 29
the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine
φευγέτωσαν
flee
G5343
φευγέτωσαν
flee
Strong's:
G5343
Word #:
26 of 29
to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
27 of 29
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Daniel 9:27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.Daniel 12:11And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.Daniel 11:31And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.Revelation 1:3Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.Revelation 13:18Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.1 Corinthians 14:20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.Ezekiel 44:9Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.Lamentations 1:10The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation.Daniel 8:13Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?Matthew 13:51Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
Historical Context
Daniel's prophecy had initial fulfillment under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (167 BC), who desecrated temple, banned Judaism, triggered Maccabean revolt. Jesus prophesied another fulfillment. AD 70, Roman legions under Titus besieged Jerusalem. Josephus records zealots committed atrocities within temple—murder, defilement. When Romans breached city, legionary standards entered temple precincts—idolatrous images in holy place. Church historian Eusebius (4th century) recorded that Jerusalem Christians, remembering Jesus' words, fled to Pella before siege tightened, escaping destruction. Modern futurist eschatology anticipates final fulfillment—Antichrist defiling rebuilt temple during tribulation. Jesus' prophecy thus has near (AD 70) and possibly far (future) fulfillments, typical of prophetic perspective.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Daniel's 'abomination of desolation' having multiple fulfillments (167 BC, AD 70, possibly future) illustrate prophetic texts' complexity?
- What does the parenthetical '(let him that readeth understand)' teach about interpreting prophecy—requiring discernment, application, obedience?
- How did early Christians' obedience to Jesus' command to 'flee' demonstrate that understanding prophecy should produce action, not just speculation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not—the Greek bdelygma tēs erēmōseōs (βδέλυγμα τῆς ἐρημώσεως) quotes Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11. Daniel prophesied pagan desecration of temple. Antiochus Epiphanes fulfilled this typologically (167 BC, sacrificing pigs on altar, erecting Zeus statue). Jesus prophesied another fulfillment: standing where it ought not (Greek hestēkota hopou ou dei, ἑστηκότα ὅπου οὐ δεῖ)—the holy place.
This likely refers to AD 70 when Roman standards (bearing emperor's image, idolatrous) entered temple, or to events preceding (AD 66-70 Zealot atrocities in temple). Some interpret futuristically—Antichrist entering rebuilt temple (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). (Let him that readeth understand)—parenthetical aside urging interpretive discernment. Then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains—urgent escape commanded. Church tradition says Jerusalem Christians fled to Pella (Transjordan) before Rome destroyed city, heeding Jesus' warning.