Charles Ellicott Commentary Mark 13:14-23

"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: and let him that is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out his house: and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak. But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that it be not in the winter. For those days shall be tribulation, such as there hath not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never shall be. And except the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the elect`s sake, whom he chose, he shortened the days. And then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ; or, Lo, there; believe [it] not: for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have told you all things beforehand." — Mark 13:14-23 (ASV)

But when you shall see.—See Notes on Matthew 24:15-28.

Standing where it ought not.—St. Mark substitutes this for in the holy place of St. Matthew. Of the two, the former seems, in its enigmatic form, more likely to have been the phrase actually used; the latter to have been an explanation. The words spoken of by Daniel the prophet are omitted in many of the best MSS.

Pray you that your flight be not in the winter.—Note St. Mark’s omission of nor on the Sabbath day, which is prominent in St. Matthew’s report, as characteristic of a Gospel for Gentile readers.

From the beginning of the creation which God created.—Note the fuller form which replaces St. Matthew’s from the beginning of the world.

Take you heed.—The repetition of the warning word, as in Mark 13:9, is peculiar to St. Mark.