Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 24:22

"And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect`s sake those days shall be shortened." — Matthew 24:22 (ASV)

Except those days should be shortened. This means: if the calamities of the siege should be prolonged; if famine and war should be allowed to rage.

No flesh be saved. This means none of the nations would be preserved alive; all the inhabitants of Judea would perish. The war, famine, and pestilence would entirely destroy them.

But for the elect's sake. The elect here undoubtedly refers to Christians (see 1 Peter 1:2; Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).

The word elect means to choose. It is given to Christians because they are chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13). It is probable that in Jerusalem and the adjacent parts of Judea, there were many who were true followers of Christ.

On their account—to preserve them alive and to make them instruments of spreading the gospel—He said those days would not be prolonged and allowed to cause their destruction.

It is related by Josephus (Jewish Wars, Book I, Chapter 12, § 1) that Titus at first resolved to reduce the city by famine. He therefore built a wall around it to prevent any provisions from being carried in and any of the people from going out.

The Jews, however, drew up their army near the walls, engaged in battle, and the Romans pursued them, provoked by their attempts, and broke into the city. The affairs of Rome also at that time demanded Titus's presence there and, contrary to his original intention, he pressed the siege, and took the city by storm—thus shortening the time that would have been occupied in reducing it by famine.

This was for the benefit of the elect. So the designs of wicked men, intended by them for the destruction of the people of God, are intended by God for the good of His chosen people (see Isaiah 10:7, and also this commentary's notes on Isaiah 10:7 regarding that verse).