Charles Spurgeon 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)

These were the words of the King as well as of the Prophet, and as such, they were both authentic and authoritative. Jesus spoke of what "should be", not only as the Seer who was able to gaze into the future, but as the Sovereign Disposer of all events. He knew what a fiery trial awaited the unbelieving nation, and that except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved. If the horrors of the siege were to continue long, the whole race of the Jews would be destroyed.

The King had the power to cut short the evil days, and he explained his reason for using that power: For the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Those who had been hated and persecuted by their own countrymen became the means of preserving them from absolute annihilation. So it has often been since those days, and for the sake of his elect the Lord has withheld many judgments, and shortened others. The ungodly owe to the godly more than they know, or would care to own.

These were the words of the King as well as of the Prophet, and as such, they were both authentic and authoritative. Jesus spoke of what should be not only as the Seer who was able to gaze into the future, but as the Sovereign Disposer of all events. He knew what a fiery trial awaited the unbelieving nation and that except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved.

If the horrors of the siege were to continue long, the entire Jewish people would be destroyed. The King had the power to cut short the evil days, and He explained His reason for using that power: For the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Those who had been hated and persecuted by their own countrymen became the means of preserving them from absolute annihilation.

Thus has it often been since those days; and for the sake of His elect, the Lord has withheld many judgments and shortened others. The ungodly owe the godly more than they know or would care to acknowledge.