The Meaning of Mark 13:14 Explained

Mark 13:14

KJV: But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

YLT: 'And when ye may see the abomination of the desolation, that was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (whoever is reading let him understand), then those in Judea, let them flee to the mountains;

Darby: But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not, (he that reads let him consider it,) then let those in Judaea flee to the mountains;

ASV: But when ye see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains:

What is the context of Mark 13:14?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  when  ye shall see  the abomination  of desolation,  spoken  of by  Daniel  the prophet,  standing  {5625;2476:5761} where  it ought  not,  (let him that readeth  understand,  ) then  let them  that be in  Judaea  flee  to  the mountains: 

What does Mark 13:14 Mean?

Study Notes

when ye See "Beast." Daniel 7:8 ; Revelation 19:20
then let Cf. Luke 21:20-24 . which is a prophecy fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem, A.D. 70, when the Christians escaped, and which foreshadowed the more terrible day here described. See "Great Tribulation."; Psalms 2:5 ; Revelation 7:14 . See Scofield " Revelation 7:14 ".

Verse Meaning

The abomination would be standing where it did not belong. Mark described Jesus saying that the abomination (Gr. bdelygma, a neuter noun) would stand (estekota, a masculine participle) as a person who set himself up as God in the temple. The fact that Jesus used a masculine participle to modify a neuter noun suggests that the abomination is a man.
Mark avoided referring specifically to the temple sanctuary, though Matthew did refer to it ( Matthew 24:15). Perhaps Mark did this to avoid planting the idea of polluting the temple in any Roman reader"s mind. His parenthetic instruction to the reader would have encouraged Roman Christians to seek the identity of the place in Daniel"s prophecy ( Daniel 9:25-27).
When the Zealots occupied the temple in A.D67-68 and installed a usurper, Phanni, as high priest, Jewish Christians fled from Jerusalem to Pella, a transjordanian mountain town. [1] This flight prefigured the one that will take place in the future (i.e, the Tribulation).

Context Summary

Mark 13:14-37 - "watch!"
The fall of Jerusalem, Mark 13:14-23. This abomination had been predicted by Daniel, Daniel 9:27, Josephus says that the Romans brought their standards into the Temple, and offered sacrifices to them, and proclaimed Titus emperor. Probably there is to be a yet further fulfillment of these significant words. Houses in the East are, for the most part, provided with staircases outside the wall, so that the occupants, seeing the approach of danger, could flee without going through their homes, Mark 13:15. The ungodly owe more than they realize to the elect who dwell among them, Mark 13:20. Let us not be deceived by the appearance of false doctrines or teachers; there are also false Christs, Mark 13:22.
The second advent, Mark 13:24-27. These signs may refer to the disorganization of political rule, or to literal convulsions of the elements. The ministry of angels was very real to Jesus, and their function in the future ages is clearly defined. As Enoch was translated before the deluge, so will the saints be gathered before the final sorrows, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17. It would seem as if Christ's coming is to bring summer to our world. This generation may refer to the fact that the Jewish people would remain as a distinct people. Our Lord had so emptied Himself, that in His human nature He knew not the hour, and was content to know only as the Father told Him. He has now resumed the glory of the knowledge which He had before all worlds. Have we each one found our work? Let us watch! [source]

Chapter Summary: Mark 13

1  Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple;
9  the persecutions for the gospel;
10  that the gospel must be preached to all nations;
14  that great calamities shall happen to the Jews;
24  and the manner of his coming to judgment;
32  the hour whereof being known to none, every man is to watch and pray

Greek Commentary for Mark 13:14

Standing where he ought not [εστηκοτα οπου ου δει]
Matthew 24:15 has “standing in the holy place” So the words of Daniel find a second fulfilment, Rome taking the place of Syria (Swete). See Matthew 24:15 for this phrase and the parenthesis inserted in the words of Jesus (“Let him that readeth understand”). See also Matthew 24:16-25 for discussion of details in Mark 13:14-22. [source]
Abomination []
See on Matthew 24:15. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 13:14

Matthew 24:15 Let him that readeth understand [ο αναγινοσκων νοειτω]
This parenthesis occurs also in Mark 13:14. It is not to be supposed that Jesus used these words. They were inserted by Mark as he wrote his book and he was followed by Matthew. [source]
Mark 13:14 Standing where he ought not [εστηκοτα οπου ου δει]
Matthew 24:15 has “standing in the holy place” So the words of Daniel find a second fulfilment, Rome taking the place of Syria (Swete). See Matthew 24:15 for this phrase and the parenthesis inserted in the words of Jesus (“Let him that readeth understand”). See also Matthew 24:16-25 for discussion of details in Mark 13:14-22. [source]
Luke 16:15 An abomination in the sight of God [βδελυγμα ενωπιον του τεου]
See note on Matthew 24:15 and note on Mark 13:14 for this lxx word for a detestable thing as when Antiochus Epiphanes set up an altar to Zeus in place of that to Jehovah. There is withering scorn in the use of this phrase by Jesus to these pious pretenders. [source]
Luke 21:20 Then know [τοτε γνωτε]
Second aorist active imperative of γινωσκω — ginōskō Christians did flee from Jerusalem to Pella before it was too late as directed in Luke 21:21; Mark 13:14.; Matthew 24:16. [source]
Revelation 12:6 Fled into the wilderness [επυγεν εις την ερημον]
Second aorist active indicative of πευγω — pheugō Here, of course, not Mary, but “the ideal woman” (God‘s people) of the preceding verses, who fled under persecution of the dragon. God‘s people do not at once share the rapture of Christ, but the dragon is unable to destroy them completely. The phrases used here seem to be reminiscent of Deuteronomy 8:2. (wanderings of Israel in the wilderness), 1 Kings 17:2. and 1 Kings 19:3. (Elijah‘s flight), 1 Macc. 2:29 (flight of the Jews from Antiochus Epiphanes), Matthew 2:13 (flight of Joseph and Mary to Egypt), Mark 13:14 (the flight of Christians at the destruction of Jerusalem). [source]
Revelation 17:4 In purple and scarlet [πορπυρουν και κοκκινον]
Accusative retained after this passive verb of clothing, as so often. Πορπυρους — Porphurous is old adjective for purple (from πορπυρα — porphura), in N.T. only here and John 19:2, John 19:5. See preceding verse for κοκκινος — kokkinos Perfect passive participle of χρυσοω — chrusoō old verb, to gild, to adorn with gold, here alone in N.T.With gold and precious stone and pearls (χρυσιωι και λιτωι τιμιωι και μαργαριταις — chrusiōi kai lithōi timiōi kai margaritais). Instrumental case. Χρυσιωι — Chrusiōi is cognate with the participle. Λιτωι τιμιωι — Lithōi timiōi is collective (Revelation 18:12, Revelation 18:16; Revelation 21:19). There is a ζευγμα — zeugma also with μαργαριταις — margaritais (Revelation 18:12, Revelation 18:16; Revelation 21:21), for which word see Matthew 7:6. Probably John is thinking of the finery of the temple prostitutes in Asia Minor.Full of abominations Agreeing with ποτηριον — potērion “cup” (neuter singular accusative). Some MSS. read γεμων — gemōn (nominative masculine like εχων — echōn in Revelation 17:3, quite irregular). For βδελυγματων — bdelugmatōn (genitive after γεμον — gemon) see Matthew 24:15; (Mark 13:14), common in the lxx for idol worship and its defilements (from βδελυσσω — bdelussō to render foul), both ceremonial and moral. See Jeremiah 15:7.Even the unclean things of her fornication (και τα ακαταρτα της πορνειας αυτης — kai ta akatharta tēs porneias autēs). Either the accusative after γεμον — gemon as in Revelation 17:3 (and full of the unclean things of her fornication) or the object of εχουσα — echousa like ποτηριον — potērion f0). [source]
Revelation 17:4 Full of abominations [γεμον βδελυγματων]
Agreeing with ποτηριον — potērion “cup” (neuter singular accusative). Some MSS. read γεμων — gemōn (nominative masculine like εχων — echōn in Revelation 17:3, quite irregular). For βδελυγματων — bdelugmatōn (genitive after γεμον — gemon) see Matthew 24:15; (Mark 13:14), common in the lxx for idol worship and its defilements (from βδελυσσω — bdelussō to render foul), both ceremonial and moral. See Jeremiah 15:7.Even the unclean things of her fornication (και τα ακαταρτα της πορνειας αυτης — kai ta akatharta tēs porneias autēs). Either the accusative after γεμον — gemon as in Revelation 17:3 (and full of the unclean things of her fornication) or the object of εχουσα — echousa like ποτηριον — potērion f0). [source]

What do the individual words in Mark 13:14 mean?

When then you see the abomination of the desolation which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing where not it should the [one] reading let him understand then those in - Judea let them flee to the mountains
Ὅταν δὲ ἴδητε τὸ βδέλυγμα τῆς ἐρημώσεως ⧼τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ Δανιὴλ τοῦ προφήτου⧽ ἑστηκότα ὅπου οὐ δεῖ ἀναγινώσκων νοείτω τότε οἱ ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ φευγέτωσαν εἰς τὰ ὄρη

ἴδητε  you  see 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: εἶδον 
Sense: to see with the eyes.
βδέλυγμα  abomination 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: βδέλυγμα  
Sense: a foul thing, a detestable thing.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐρημώσεως  desolation 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἐρήμωσις  
Sense: a making desolate, desolation.
ῥηθὲν  was  spoken  of 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to utter, speak, say.
Δανιὴλ  Daniel 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Δανιήλ  
Sense: the name of a Jewish prophet, noted for his wisdom and prophecies.
προφήτου⧽  prophet 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: προφήτης  
Sense: in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things.
ἑστηκότα  standing 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἵστημι  
Sense: to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set.
ὅπου  where 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὅπου  
Sense: where, whereas.
δεῖ  it  should 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δεῖ  
Sense: it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper.
  the  [one] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀναγινώσκων  reading 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀναγινώσκω  
Sense: to distinguish between, to recognise, to know accurately, to acknowledge.
νοείτω  let  him  understand 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: νοέω  
Sense: to perceive with the mind, to understand, to have understanding.
οἱ  those 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
τῇ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰουδαίᾳ  Judea 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: Ἰουδαία  
Sense: in a narrower sense, to the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to distinguish it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea, and Idumaea.
φευγέτωσαν  let  them  flee 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: φεύγω  
Sense: to flee away, seek safety by flight.
ὄρη  mountains 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ὄρος  
Sense: a mountain.