Matthew 24:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is clear that He emphasizes this fact through the following evidence. To illustrate the devastation of Jerusalem, He also referenced prophecy, stating, ‘When ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, he that readeth, let him understand.’ He directed their attention to Daniel. He referred to the image of the one who triumphed over the city, which he had established within the temple after the city's and the temple's destruction, as an abomination, and thus labeled it the abomination of desolation. Furthermore, to indicate that this would occur while some were still alive, He declared: ‘when you shall see the abomination of desolation.’

The term "abomination of desolation" pertains to the image of the leader who seized control of the city and positioned it within the sacred temple, rendering it inaccessible to the people. The notion of "desolation" alludes to the ruin and abandonment of the city itself, while the term "abomination" is applied because, in their rejection of idolatry, the Jewish people denounced such statues and representations of mankind as detestable.

Some scholars, however, interpret the "abomination of desolation" as a reference to the Antichrist, who is expected to manifest during the time of the universe's devastation and the obliteration of the churches, and will also take his place in the temple.

"When you see the signal of the frightening desolation." Although Jerusalem has faced numerous destructions and restorations, here the Lord referred to its utter ruin and the desecration of its holy place, leading to its enduring desolation and eventual obscurity. The Romans erected their standards within the temple, emblazoned with the image of an eagle, fulfilling the prophecy that speaks of "the wing of ... of abomination and desolation" (cf. Dan. 9:27). This is described as a harbinger of terror, indicating the desolation foretold by the prophet Daniel. Additionally, it is noted that a sign of its looming devastation was the Romans' attempt, with Pilate's aid, to place a pig's head within the temple.

When we are invited to engage in thoughtful consideration, it becomes evident that the subject at hand is profoundly enigmatic. In the book of Daniel, it is stated, "And in the half of the seventh day the sacrifice and the offering shall cease, and the abomination of desolation shall be upon the wing of the sanctuary, and the final predestined destruction shall befall the desolator" (Dan. 9:27). The apostle elaborates on this in his letter to the Thessalonians, declaring that a man of lawlessness will be elevated, opposing everything that bears the name and esteem of God. This individual will take his stand in the temple of God, proclaiming himself as God; his arrival, fueled by Satan’s power, will incite fury and lead astray those who accept him, distancing them from God (2 Thess.

The soul, when influenced by passions, becomes a source from which demons draw reasoning to instigate fervent thoughts within us. These thoughts then assail the intellect, compelling it to yield to sin. In this compromised state, the mind is led into sinful contemplation, which ultimately binds the soul and draws it into direct action against God's commandments. After this entrapment, the demons, having rendered the soul desolate through these thoughts, withdraw, leaving only the mental image of sin behind. The Lord warns about this, stating, “For when ye shall see the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place.” It is essential to understand that the sacred space referred to here is the mind of humanity, where demons, through turbulent passions, implant the idol of sin. This warning from the Lord has indeed been validated historically, a fact well understood by those familiar with the writings of Josephus. Some believe, however, that a similar scenario may occur during the reign of the Antichrist.

In this context, he refers to the statue of Titus, which he had installed within the temple upon conquering the city, as a detestable thing. Indeed, the scripture deemed such images as abominable. It was termed an abomination of desolation because it was erected after the city and the temple were laid waste, or it represented the one responsible for that devastation. The phrase ‘When ye shall see’ appears aimed at the apostles, yet it pertains to the Jews, who ought to have recognized that the abomination would arise not in some far-off era, but during their own days. Furthermore, many of the apostles had already perished before that moment, while others who survived were scattered across various regions of the world.

When you observe the desolating abomination referenced by the prophet Daniel, positioned in the sacred site where it should not exist, anyone who examines this passage in Daniel will grasp its profound significance. When you witness a dreadful devastation in the location of the holy city, which evokes feelings of repulsion, when you notice the Roman standards adorned with eagles amidst the temple's ruins—standards to which the Romans extend worship—when you see their idols placed within the partially destroyed temple alongside the effigy of their ruler,

When you observe Jerusalem encircled by troops, understand that its moment of forsakenness is near (Luke 21:20). This revelation was given to the prophet Daniel by the angel Gabriel, who foretold that the city and its sanctuary would be ravaged by the forces of a coming ruler, resulting in devastation akin to a deluge, and to the culmination of conflict there would be ruin, with the abomination of desolation set upon the holy place (Dan. 9:26-27). Amidst the strife between the factions within Jerusalem, there were violent confrontations in the city streets and temple courtyards; the temple was tarnished with blood and strewn with the bodies of the fallen, transforming the sacred area into an abomination of desolation.

To safeguard the faithful from the impending disasters destined for the sinful city, the Lord provided a clear vision of future occurrences, encouraging them to heed the guidance offered in a timely manner. The abomination of desolation, as foretold by the prophet Daniel (9:27; 11:31; 12:11), signified the defilement of the temple, first under Antiochus Epiphanes, king of Syria, and subsequently under Roman rule. During the reign of Antiochus, a pagan idol of Jupiter the Olympian, detested by the Jewish people, was erected above the altar (1 Macc. 1:54). When the Romans laid siege to the city, their legions bore standards adorned with images of the Caesars and eagles.