Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 24:15-16

"When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains:" — Matthew 24:15-16 (ASV)

When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand): then let those who are in Judea flee into the mountains:

As soon as Christ's disciples saw the abomination of desolation, that is, the Roman ensigns, with their idolatrous emblems, stand in the holy place, they knew that the time for them to escape had arrived, and they did flee into the mountains. You will say to me, perhaps, "but there were Romans there before." Yes, the Romans were in possession, but the eagles and other idolatrous symbols were never exhibited in Jerusalem. The Romans were often very lenient to the different people whom they subdued, and these symbols were kept out of sight until the last war came.

Then wherever the Jews and Christians looked, they could see those various images of Caesar and of the Roman state which were worshipped by the soldiery, and then were the faithful to flee to the mountains. It is a remarkable fact that no Christians perished in the siege of Jerusalem; the followers of Christ fled away to the mountain city of Pella, in Perea, where they were preserved from the general destruction which overthrew the unbelieving Jews.