But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that it may not happen in winter. For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
Comment: “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” This statement made by Jesus lead to the disciples asking their questions about where and when. After the pre-amble dealt with over the past couple of days Jesus answers their question with what is written above. The bit about (let the reader understand) makes sense to us if we look at the history of the time following Jesus’ death and resurrection. There was a terrible attack by Titus and his Roman legions on Jerusalem and the temple. The heathens entered into the temple and having defiled it, destroyed the temple pulling it stone from stone. Apparently thousands of people were slaughtered. This happened at the time of a passover feast, to which the Romans had allowed the people to enter into Jerusalem but then locked the gates not allowing them to leave. If the disciples had interpreted Jesus saying correctly they may not have attended that year. I don’t have the answer to that. Certainly Jesus’ words here describe people trying to flee the oncoming onslaught!
Prayer: Help me to correctly understand Your teaching Jesus, particularly in the matters of forgiveness and the future.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. We don’t know the details of this “abomination of desolation” and exactly when it occurred. If we read the Books of Acts, we do know that the disciples, after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, were going around teaching, healing, and spreading the good news that Jesus had risen from the dead. They may not have been in Jerusalem at the time when this “slaughter” occurred. We can only read history and wonder. God is still the Creator and Sustainer of this world, and we who live here. God bless you.
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