then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The call to flee "to the mountains" isn't just about finding a hidden spot; it's a strategic directive for survival, highlighting the extreme danger and the need for swift, decisive action away from populated areas and the expected path of destruction. This emphasizes that the impending crisis demands radical separation from the familiar, not just a change of location.
then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the signs of the end times and his second coming, which includes the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. After warning them about deceivers and the need for endurance, he instructs those in Judea to flee to the mountains when they see the "abomination of desolation" standing in the holy place, signaling the imminent destruction. This immediate flight is crucial to escaping the unprecedented tribulation that will follow.
Jesus gives a stark sign, followed by an immediate command: 'flee!' But what is this 'abomination' and why such urgency?
Jesus' followers are told to flee to the mountains when they see the 'abomination of desolation' standing in the holy place. This is a direct reference to the prophecies in Daniel, specifically pointing to a future profanation and destruction.
A Sign of Judgment
When Jesus speaks of the 'abomination of desolation,' he's signaling a time of divine judgment. The historical context often points to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, a catastrophic event that fulfilled many prophecies. The 'holy place' refers to the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Call to Flee
The command to flee to the mountains isn't a suggestion; it's an urgent directive for survival. The mountains offered a place of refuge, often with caves and natural defenses, away from the impending destruction. This wasn't just about escaping an invading army, but about escaping God's judgment upon a rebellious people.
Imagine the chaos: the warning is sounded, but Jesus adds another layer—don't even go back for your stuff! Why is life itself prioritized over belongings?
Jesus' instructions extend beyond just the act of fleeing; they dictate how to flee. He emphasizes that life is infinitely more valuable than material possessions.
No Time for Valuables
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Christ explicitly states, 'let not him who is on the housetop go down to take anything out of his house, nor let him who is in the field return to get his cloak.' This paints a vivid picture of a swift, overwhelming crisis.
The True Treasure
This radical instruction reveals Jesus’ perspective on what truly matters. In the face of imminent destruction, clinging to possessions is foolish and life-threatening. The priority is escape, survival, and ultimately, trust in God’s provision, not earthly treasures. This call to abandon belongings underscores the severity of the tribulation and the need for complete reliance on God for deliverance.
The future described is one of 'great tribulation.' Yet, Jesus offers a profound comfort: these days will be 'shortened' for the sake of the elect. How does this speak of God's control?
The prophecy of the 'abomination of desolation' leads to a period of unprecedented suffering, yet interwoven with this grim forecast is the assurance of God’s sovereign intervention.
The Great Tribulation
Jesus describes this time as 'great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be again.' This highlights the extreme severity of the events to come.
Divine Shortening for the Elect
Crucially, Jesus adds, 'unless those days had been cut short, no flesh would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.' This is a powerful statement of God’s ultimate control, even over devastating historical events. God’s purposes for His chosen people are paramount. He limits the duration and intensity of suffering, not based on human merit, but on His own electing grace and covenant faithfulness. This ensures that His redemptive plan continues, even through the darkest times.
Understand the original words
Ioudaia · Greek Noun
A region encompassing the historic homeland of the Jews, centered on Jerusalem; biblically significant as the land promised to the descendants of Abraham.
pheugetōsan · Greek Verb
A dynamic action of departing or escaping from a place of danger to a place of safety or refuge.
orē · Greek Noun
Elevated places often used for prayer, refuge, or concealment during times of divine judgment or historical catastrophe.
Jesus' warning to flee Judea was heeded by early Christians during the First Jewish Revolt, leading them to seek refuge in Pella before the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
c. 168-164 BC
Antiochus IV Epiphanes' Desecration of the Temple
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, defiled the Jerusalem Temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs. This event is often seen as the first 'abomination of desolation' prophesied by Daniel.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Olivet Discourse
Jesus delivers a prophecy on the Mount of Olives about the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple and the signs preceding His return. He warns His followers to flee when they see the 'abomination of desolation' standing in the holy place.
AD 66
First Jewish Revolt Begins
The First Jewish Revolt against Roman rule erupts in Judea, leading to widespread conflict and instability.
AD 67-68
Christians Flee to Pella
Responding to Jesus' prophecy and the escalating conflict, Christians in Judea, particularly Jerusalem, flee to the town of Pella in the Decapolis, east of the Jordan River, seeking refuge.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Roman army, under Titus, besieges and utterly destroys Jerusalem and its Temple. This event marks the culmination of the Jewish Revolt and fulfills Jesus' prophecy.
This passage from Daniel is directly referenced by Jesus in Matthew 24:15 as the source for understanding the 'abomination of desolation,' which serves as the signal for the flight described in Matthew 24:16.
Luke 21:20-21This passage in Luke provides a parallel account of Jesus' prophecy, specifically mentioning the 'signs' that should prompt those in Judea to flee to the mountains, directly echoing the instruction in Matthew 24:16.
Jeremiah 51:6This Old Testament prophecy warns God's people to 'flee from Babylon' and save themselves, paralleling Jesus' urgent command for His people to flee from Judea when the signs appear.
Isaiah 26:20-21This prophecy speaks of a time of divine judgment where God calls His people to 'enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you,' offering a sense of refuge similar to fleeing to the mountains for safety.
calvinMatthew 24:15-28: "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:)"
- When therefore you shall see the abomination of desolation, which is described by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, (let him that readeth understand,) 16. Then let them who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17. Let not him who is on the housetop go down to carry anything out of his house; 18. And let not…
ellicottMatthew 24:16: "Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:"
(16) Then let them which be in Judsea. —The words were acted on when the time came. Eusebius ( Hist. Eccl. iii. 5) records that the Christians of Judæa, acting “on a certain oracle,” fled, in A.D. 68, to Pella, a town on the northern boundary of Peræa. So Josephus ( Wars, iv. 9, § 1; v. 10, § 1) more generally relates that many of the more conspicuous citizens fled from the city, as men abandon a sinking ship. The “mount…
The call to flee "to the mountains" isn't just about finding a hidden spot; it's a strategic directive for survival, highlighting the extreme danger and the need for swift, decisive action away from populated areas and the expected path of destruction. This emphasizes that the impending crisis demands radical separation from the familiar, not just a change of location.
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the signs of the end times and his second coming, which includes the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. After warning them about deceivers and the need for endurance, he instructs those in Judea to flee to the mountains when they see the "abomination of desolation" standing in the holy place, signaling the imminent destruction. This immediate flight is crucial to escaping the unprecedented tribulation that will follow.
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the signs of the end times and his second coming, which includes the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. After warning them about deceivers and the need for endurance, he instructs those in Judea to flee to the mountains when they see the "abomination of desolation" standing in the holy place, signaling the imminent destruction. This immediate flight is crucial to escaping the unprecedented tribulation that will follow.
"then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains." — The call to flee "to the mountains" isn't just about finding a hidden spot; it's a strategic directive for survival, highlighting the extreme danger and the need for swift, decisive action away from…
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Last reviewed October 2026