Matthew 24:16-20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:20

But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter - For the hardness of the season, the badness of the roads, the shortness of the days, and the length of the nights, will all be great impediments to your flight. Rabbi Tanchum observes, "that the favor of God was particularly manifested in the destruction of the first temple, in not obliging the Jews to go out in the winter, but in the summer." See the place in Lightfoot. Neither on the Sabbath-day - That you may not raise the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:16

Verse 16 16.Then let them who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Having shown by the testimony of the prophet that, when the temple had been profaned, the services of the Law would soon afterwards be abolished, he adds, that fearful and appalling calamities will soon overtake the whole of Judeea, so that there will be nothing more desirable than to withdraw a distance from it; and, at the same time, he states that they will be so sudden, that time will scarcely be time allowed for the most... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:1-51

PROPHECY OF THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM , AND OF THE TIMES OF THE END . ( Mark 13:1-37 ; Luke 21:5-36 .) There is no reason to think, with Olshauson, that St. Matthew or his editor has considerably amplified the original discourse of our Lord by introducing details and expressions from other quarters. The discourse, as we now have it ( Matthew 24:1-51 . and 25.), forms a distinct whole, divided into certain portions closely related to each other and it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:4-41

The first portion of the great prophecy. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:15-28

Predictions of the nearer end: The destruction of Jerusalem. I. THE WARNINGS OF THE COMING END . 1 . The sign. The Lord returns to the first question of the disciples, "When shall these things be?" His eye had been looking forward in prophetic vision through the process of the ages; now he returns to the nearer end, to that awful catastrophe which, to the Jews, seemed like the very end of the world—the destruction of the holy city and of the temple, the dwelling-place of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:15-28

Salutary warnings. Having announced the signs of his advent, first for the destruction of the Jewish antichrist, and secondly for that of its Gentile counterpart, Christ gives to his disciples salutary warnings suited to the crises. I. IN RESPECT TO SECULAR EVILS . 1 . We do well to take heed to the sure Word of prophecy. 2 . Christ is a mountain of safety to those who fly to him for refuge. 3 . Calamities are mitigated for the sake of the deer. II. IN ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:16

Then ; i.e. when they shall see "the abomination of desolation," etc. Them which be in Judaea. Not only in Jerusalem, but in its vicinity, as most exposed to danger from the invading army. Flee into ( ἐπι Ì , over ) the mountains. The Christians seem to have taken this advice when the city was attacked by Costius Gallus, about A.D. 66, some three or more years before the siege under Vespasian. Gallus had appeared before the walls, and apparently had every hope of taking the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:17

Housetop . This was fiat, and used as a place of rest, meditation, and familiar concourse ( Matthew 10:27 ). Come down … house. The roof was accessible by two staircases, one external leading from the street or the country, the other mounting from the apartments. The householder was not to descend by this latter to carry off anything from his chambers within, but to escape at once by the outer staircase (setup. Luke 5:19 ). The flight was to be precipitate, like that of Lot from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:18

In the field. People in the open country would be in as great danger as those in the city, the hostile troops doubtless being dispersed on all sides, plundering, burning, and slaying. Return back. He who was working in the fields only partially clad was not to go to his house to fetch the rest of his garments, but to make good his flight just as he was. He would naturally lay aside his heavy burnous while engaged in work, but all considerations of propriety and comfort were to be put aside... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:19

Woe unto them that are with child! The Lord, while he counsels flight, has a word of compassion for those poor mothers who are forced to have recourse thereto. The circumstances mentioned would impede flight and greatly increase danger and distress. The sufferings of mothers and children in the siege are narrated by the historian, and even such horrors as are indicated in Deuteronomy 28:53-56 were not unknown (see Josephus, 'Bell. Jud.,' 5.10, 3; 6.3, 4; Eusobius, 'Hist. Eccl.,' 3.6, 7). read more

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