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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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:20

Pray ye that, etc. ( προσευ ì χεσθε ἱ ì να ). He bids them pray to and worship God, in order that he may give them a favourable time for flight. The clause introduced with the final particle does not directly denote the subject of the petition, as our version gives the impression, but rather the aim of the petitioners (Morison). Not in the winter. He spake of personal hindrances in the last verse; here he speaks of external circumstances over which man has no control, except... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:21

Nor then. Jesus gives the reason why this precipitate flight ( Matthew 24:16-20 ) was rendered necessary at the moment spoken of in Matthew 24:15 . Great tribulation. The miseries suffered in the siege of Jerusalem were stupendous To the skilful and fierce attacks of the Romans from without were added from within dire famine and pestilence, dissensions, violence, and continual bloodshed and murder. Josephus estimates the number of those who fell in the siege and capture of Jerusalem at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:22

Except these days should be shortened ( ἐκολοβω ì θησαν , had been shortened ). In the midst of wrath God thinks on mercy. He providentially ordained that the days of vengeance should not be indefinitely prolonged; the siege was practically of short duration, the country was not wholly overrun and desolated. The natural causes that combined to produce this shortening of the siege have been recounted by commentators. These were—the divided counsels of the Jews themselves, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:24

False Christs. He shows the nature of the dangers to which believers will be subject. He does not confine his view to Jewish history; he foretells the appearance of pretenders who shall assume the part of Christ, and blasphemously assert that they are Messiah. False prophets. Without assuming the name of Christ, many impostors shall be found who, professing to be inspired or lawful teachers, shall lead hearers into false doctrine, or claim to possess a new revelation, or something... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 24:24

The mischiefs wrought by antichrists. "For there shall arise false Christs," i.e. false Messiahs. In the period between our Lord's ascension and the destruction of Jerusalem many so called prophets arose who claimed Divine authority. It is not clear that they claimed to be the Messiah; but after the fail of Jerusalem one appeared who called himself Barchochebas, the "Son of a star," and claimed to be Messiah, and deceived many. If we can get a proper meaning to the term "antichrist," we... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 24:1

And Jesus went out - He was going over to the Mount of Olives, Matthew 24:3.The buildings of the temple - The temple itself, with the surrounding courts, porches, and other edifices. See the notes at Matthew 21:12. Mark says that they particularly pointed out the “stones” of the temple, as well as the buildings. “In that temple,” says Josephus, the Jewish historian, “were several stones which were 45 cubits in length, 5 in height, and 6 in breadth;” that is, more than 70 feet long, 10 wide, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 24:2

There shall not be left here one stone upon another - At the time this was spoken, no event was more improbable than this. The temple was vast, rich, splendid. It was the pride of the nation, and the nation was at peace. Yet in the short space of 40 years all this was accomplished exactly. Jerusalem was taken by the Roman armies, under the command of Titus, 70 a.d. The account of the siege and destruction of the city is left us by Josephus, a historian of undoubted veracity and singular... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 24:3

He sat upon the Mount of Olives - See the notes at Matthew 21:1. From that mount there was a magnificent view of the whole city.The disciples came unto him privately - Not all of them, but Peter, James, John, and Andrew, Mark 13:3. The prediction that the temple would be destroyed Matthew 24:2 had been made in the presence of all the apostles. A “part” now came privately to know more particularly when this would be.When shall these things be? - There are three questions here:1.When those things... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 24:4-5

Take heed ... - Jesus, in reply to their question, first gives them a caution to beware of deception. They were to be constantly on their guard, because many would arise to deceive the people.Many shall come in my name - Not in the name or by the authority of Jesus, or claiming to be His followers, and to be sent by him, but in the name of the Messiah, or claiming to be the Messiah.I am Christ - I am the Messiah. See the notes at Matthew 1:1. The Messiah was expected at that time, Matthew... read more

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