John Gill Commentary Matthew 24:16

"then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains:" — Matthew 24:16 (ASV)

Then let them who are in Judea
When this signal is given, let it be taken notice of and observed; let them that are in the city of Jerusalem, depart out of it; or who are in any other parts of Judea, in any of the towns, or cities thereof; let them not betake themselves to Jerusalem, imagining they may be safe there, in so strong and fortified a place, but let them flee elsewhere; see (Luke 21:21) It is observed that many fled about this time. Several interpreters remark, and which Josephus ^F1 takes notice of with surprise, that Cestius Gallus having advanced with his army to Jerusalem, and besieged it, on a sudden, without any cause, raised the siege, and withdrew his army, when the city might have been easily taken; by which means a signal was made; and an opportunity given to the Christians, to make their escape:

Which they accordingly did, and went over Jordan, as Eusebius says ^F2 , to a place called Pella; so that when Titus came a few months after, there was not a Christian in the city, but they had fled as they are here bidden to

flee into the mountains ;
or any places of shelter and refuge: these are mentioned particularly, because they are usually such; and design either the mountains in Judea, or in the adjacent countries. The Syriac and Persic versions read in the singular number, "into the mountain"; and it is reported that many of them fled, particularly to Mount Libanus ^F3 .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F1: De Bello Jud. l. 2. c. 19. sect. 7.
• F2: Eccl. Hist. l. 3. c. 5. p. 75.
• F3: Joseph. ib.