“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "let the reader understand" isn't just a casual sign-off; it's a direct invitation from Jesus to pause and connect the dots between his words and the ancient prophecies of Daniel. This isn't about passively hearing a prophecy, but actively engaging with it, implying that grasping the significance of this "abomination" is crucial for survival.
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the end times and the destruction of the temple, following his previous warnings about deception and false prophets. He then directly points to a specific sign described by the prophet Daniel, which will signal the imminent devastation and the urgency for his followers to flee. This sign, the "abomination of desolation," is presented as a crucial indicator of the approaching judgment, prompting immediate action and understanding.
Jesus refers to a specific sign from the prophet Daniel, but what exactly is this 'abomination' that signals such destruction?
The phrase "abomination of desolation" (or "abominable destroyer") refers to something deeply offensive and repulsive to God that leads to utter ruin.
What it is NOT:
What it IS:
In the context of Matthew 24, scholars point to the Roman armies and their idolatrous standards desecrating the Temple and its surroundings as the primary fulfillment. This was a foreign, pagan presence in God's specially designated holy ground, a clear sign that God's judgment was imminent upon Jerusalem.
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Jesus adds a cryptic phrase: "let the reader understand." What does this urgent command imply?
This seemingly small phrase, "let the reader understand" (or "whoso readeth, let him understand"), is a powerful call to attention and discernment.
Why the Urgency?
This isn't a casual remark. It's Jesus urging his followers to be alert, to study the Scriptures, and to recognize the signs of God's judgment when they appear, so they could act decisively to save themselves.
Understand the original words
bdelygma tēs erēmōseōs · Greek Noun phrase
A term used to describe a detestable, idolatrous object or practice that causes God's people to be forsaken or brought to ruin, often associated with desecration of the temple.
hagios topos · Greek Noun phrase
The temple or the area surrounding the temple in Jerusalem, which was set apart as the uniquely sacred dwelling place of God's presence among His people.
Jesus' warning about the 'abomination of desolation' directly references a prophecy in Daniel, which had a historical precedent in Antiochus Epiphanes' desecration of the Temple. However, Jesus applies it to the future Roman destruction of Jerusalem, urging his followers to recognize the signs and flee for their lives.
c. 167 BC
Desecration by Antiochus Epiphanes
King Antiochus IV Epiphanes desecrates the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, setting up an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs. This event is seen as a fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy concerning an 'abomination of desolation'.
c. AD 66
Jewish Rebellion Begins
The Jewish people begin a major rebellion against Roman rule. This marks the start of a devastating war that will ultimately lead to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
AD 67-68
Roman Advance and Withdrawal
The Roman general Cestius Gallus advances on Jerusalem, surrounding the city. However, he unexpectedly withdraws his forces, an event that early Christians interpret as a sign to flee.
c. AD 68— this verse
Christian Flight from Jerusalem
Following Christ's warning and the unusual Roman withdrawal, many Christians in Judea flee the region, relocating to Pella beyond the Jordan River, thus escaping the impending destruction.
AD 70
Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman army under Titus lays siege to Jerusalem. After a brutal siege, the city is captured, the Temple is destroyed, and a vast number of Jews are killed or enslaved.
This is the primary passage Jesus is referencing, where Daniel prophesies about a future ruler causing sacrifices to cease and bringing about devastation.
Daniel 11:31This passage describes forces desecrating the temple and stopping sacrifices, directly echoing the 'abomination of desolation' Jesus mentions and providing further context from Daniel's prophecy.
Luke 21:20Luke's parallel account adds the detail of seeing Jerusalem surrounded by armies, which is often interpreted as the fulfillment of the 'abomination of desolation' in Matthew, highlighting the military aspect of the sign.
This historical account describes Antiochus Epiphanes desecrating the temple by erecting an idolatrous altar, which is a historical event that aligns with the concept of an 'abomination' in a holy place, providing an earlier precedent for the term's meaning.
Paul uses similar language about 'the man of lawlessness' exalting himself in God's temple, suggesting a parallel spiritual 'abomination' that will occur in a sacred context before the end times.
vincentMatthew 24:15: "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:)"
Abomination of desolation (βδέλυγμα τῆς ἐρημώσεως)The cognate verb, βδελύσσομαι, means to feel a nausea or loathing for food: hence used of disgust generally. In a moral sense it denotes an object of moral or religious repugnance. See 2 Chronicles 15:8; Jeremiah 13:27; Ezekiel 11:21; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:31. It is used…
bensonMatthew 24:15: "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 . When ye shall see, &c. — The preceding verses foretold the signs of the destruction of Jerusalem, that is, the circumstances which were to be the forerunners and attendants of that great event: we now proceed to those verses which respect what happened during the siege, and after it. Never was a prophecy more p…
The phrase "let the reader understand" isn't just a casual sign-off; it's a direct invitation from Jesus to pause and connect the dots between his words and the ancient prophecies of Daniel. This isn't about passively hearing a prophecy, but actively engaging with it, implying that grasping the significance of this "abomination" is crucial for survival.
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the end times and the destruction of the temple, following his previous warnings about deception and false prophets. He then directly points to a specific sign described by the prophet Daniel, which will signal the imminent devastation and the urgency for his followers to flee. This sign, the "abomination of desolation," is presented as a crucial indicator of the approaching judgment, prompting immediate action and understanding.
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the end times and the destruction of the temple, following his previous warnings about deception and false prophets. He then directly points to a specific sign described by the prophet Daniel, which will signal the imminent devastation and the urgency for his followers to flee. This sign, the "abomination of desolation," is presented as a crucial indicator of the approaching judgment, prompting immediate action and understanding.
"“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)," — The phrase "let the reader understand" isn't just a casual sign-off; it's a direct invitation from Jesus to pause and connect the dots between his words and the ancient prophecies of Daniel. This isn…
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Last reviewed October 2026