Matthew 24:15 Meaning and Explanation
“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:)”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus points to a coming desecration foretold by Daniel, and calls His people to watch and understand the times.
The Context of Matthew 24:15
Jesus is seated on the Mount of Olives, looking across at the temple, answering His disciples' questions about its destruction and the end of the age (verses 1-3). Here He draws on the prophet Daniel to warn of a sign that will tell those in Judaea to flee.
What Does Matthew 24:15 Mean?
Jesus reaches back to a phrase His hearers knew from Daniel: 'the abomination of desolation.' It speaks of something detestable set up in the temple, the sacred space defiled by what does not belong there. In the verses that follow, Jesus tells those in Judaea that when they see it, they must flee to the mountains without delay (verses 16-18). The little aside, 'whoso readeth, let him understand,' is a nudge to pay close attention, to read Daniel and grasp what is being signaled.
This is sobering ground, and Jesus does not soften it. Yet He speaks it as a shepherd warning the flock so they will be ready, not to frighten them but to keep them safe. The same chapter moves toward the promise that the Son of man will come in glory and gather His own (verses 30-31). Even when He speaks of desolation, Jesus is watching over His people, and He holds the end of the story in His hands.
Matthew 24:15 in the Original Language
bdelugma (βδέλυγμα), 'abomination' -- a detestable, defiling thing, something that provokes deep revulsion, especially in sacred space.
Where Matthew 24:15 Echoes in Scripture
Jesus names His source directly: the phrase comes from Daniel, who wrote of 'the abomination that maketh desolate' (Daniel 11:31; 12:11; 9:27). Mark records the same warning in his account of this teaching (Mark 13:14).
How to Apply Matthew 24:15 Today
Jesus tells us hard truths so that we will be awake and ready, not so that we will live in fear. Even His warnings are an act of care, and the same Lord who speaks of desolation promises to come again and gather His people to Himself.