Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 24:16
Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:
16. let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains ] Many Christians, warned by this prediction (according to Euseblus, H.E. iii. 5, “by a certain oracle”), took refuge at Pella in Pera during the siege of Jerusalem.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Then let them … – Then Christians may know that the end is come, and should seek a place of safety. Destruction would not only visit the city, but would extend to the surrounding part of Judea.
The mountains – The mountains of Palestine abound in caves, a safe retreat for those who are pursued. In all ages these caves have been the favorite places of robbers, and they were also resorted to by those in danger, 1Sa 13:6; 1Sa 22:1; 2Sa 23:13; Jos 10:16. In those mountains they would be safe.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 16. Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains] This counsel was remembered and wisely followed by the Christians afterwards. Eusebius and Epiphanius say, that at this juncture, after Cestius Gallus had raised the siege, and Vespasian was approaching with his army, all who believed in Christ left Jerusalem and fled to Pella, and other places beyond the river Jordan; and so they all marvellously escaped the general shipwreck of their country: not one of them perished. See on Mt 24:13.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Mark hath this, Mar 13:14-16. Luke saith, Luk 21:21, Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countriest enter thereinto. The import of all this is no more than, Let every man with as much speed as he can shift for himself, for, as Luke saith, then the desolation of Jerusalem is nigh; for, as he addeth, these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Let none of you think the storm will over, for when you see this be assured the time is come when all I have spoken of this city shall be accomplished.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Then let them which be 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
Lu 21:21 and accordingly it is observed, that many did flee about this time; and it is remarked by several interpreters, and which Josephus a 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 b, to a place called Pella; so that when Titus came a few mouths 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 did fly, particularly to Mount Libanus c.
a De Bello Jud. l. 2. c. 19. sect. 7. b Eccl. Hist. l. 3. c. 5. p. 75. c Joseph. ib.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Flee unto the mountains ( ). The mountains east of the Jordan. Eusebius (H.E. iii,5,3) says that the Christians actually fled to Pella at the foot of the mountains about seventeen miles south of the Sea of Galilee. They remembered the warning of Jesus and fled for safety.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
16. Then let them who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Having shown by the testimony of the prophet that, when the temple had been profaned, the services of the Law would soon afterwards be abolished, he adds, that fearful and appalling calamities will soon overtake the whole of Judea, so that there will be nothing more desirable than to withdraw a distance from it; and, at the same time, he states that they will be so sudden, that time will scarcely be time allowed for the most rapid flight. For such is the import of the expressions, Let not him who is on the house-top enter into the house; let not him who is in the field turn back; that is, lest, by attempting to save their property, they themselves perish. Again, Woe to the women with child, and to them that give suck; for they will not be in a fit condition for flight. Again, Pray that your fight may not be in the winter; that is, that neither a regard to the sacredness of the day, nor the roughness of the roads, nor the shortness of the clays, may prevent or retard your flight. The design of Christ therefore was, first, to arouse his followers, that they might no longer indulge the hope of ease and repose, and the enjoyments of an earthly kingdom; and, secondly, to fortify their minds, that they might not give way under ordinary calamities. Such an admonition, no doubt, was fir from being agreeable, but, in consequence of their stupidity, and the great weight of the calamities, it was highly necessary.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(16) Then let them which be in Judsea.The words were acted on when the time came. Eusebius (Hist. Eccl. iii. 5) records that the Christians of Juda, acting on a certain oracle, fled, in A.D. 68, to Pella, a town on the northern boundary of Pera. So Josephus (Wars, iv. 9, 1; v. 10, 1) more generally relates that many of the more conspicuous citizens fled from the city, as men abandon a sinking ship. The mountains may be named generally as a place of refuge, or may point, as interpreted by the event, to the Gilead range of hills on the east of Jordan.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. Let them which be in Judea In the country and provincial towns and cities of Judea. When they shall see the Roman army, with its eagles and idolatrous images of the emperor standing at the very temple gates, let them know that the desolating abomination will soon be subduing and slaughtering in their own vicinity, and so let them escape to the mountains, where armies cannot follow them. Ecclesiastical history informs us that no Christians perished in the siege of Jerusalem. When the Roman general Cestius Gallus invested the city, and thus furnished the sign for the Christians’ flight, be again withdrew his armies, and thus, as if unconsciously overruled, gave the Christians full chance for escape. Warned by our Lord, they fled to a city called Pella, beyond the Jordan, and survived to hand the Gospel to future times.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“Then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains,”
And when the people of Judaea saw the danger of the armies of Rome surrounding Jerusalem they were to flee to the mountains, for the Roman search parties foraging for food would be a danger to all Jews, and once the city had fallen vengeance and reprisals would be wreaked on the whole surrounding area. The purpose of fleeing into the mountains was in order to escape the ‘great tribulation’ which was coming on those who did not flee, which serves to demonstrate that those who would suffer under the tribulation would be localised. Sadly many instead fled into the city itself, so that many from Judaea were found in the city when it was taken, thus experiencing the initial phases of their great tribulation, and being subjected to the remainder.
However Eusebius tells us that the Romans allowed those who wished to leave the city, prior to its final investment, to do so (when his spies told him of all the atrocities of Jew against Jew that were going on in Jerusalem he might well have done so). If this be so then it was also open to them to flee to the mountains had they wished to do so. This ‘fleeing to the mountains’ has in mind what had previously happened in the time of Jeremiah (compare Jer 16:16; Jer 50:6; Lam 4:19). David had also fled from Saul into the mountains with his men. The mountains were ever a refuge from enemies and from invading hordes.
The purpose behind this description and what follows is so as to bring out the urgency of the situation and the importance of avoiding the tribulation that would ensue. (It had nothing specifically to do with Jewish Christians, although they would benefit too when they fled to Pella).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Mat 24:16 ff. Apodosis down to Mat 24:18 .
. .] means those who may happen to be living in the country of Judaea (Joh 3:22 ), in contradistinction to Jerusalem with its holy place, the abominations in which are to be the signal for flight.
, . . .] Some have conceived the idea to be this: “ne per scalas interiores, sed exteriores descendat,” Bengel (Grotius, Wetstein); or: let him flee over the roofs (over the lower walls, separating house from house, till he comes to the city wall, Michaelis, Kuinoel, Fritzsche, Paulus, Winer, Kaeuffer). Both views may be taken each according to circumstances.
] common attraction for . See Khner, I. 474, and ad Xen. Mem . iii. 6. 11; Winer, p. 584 [E. T. 784].
] where, being at work, he has no upper garment with him.
People will have to flee to save their lives (Mat 24:22 ); not according to the idea imported by Hofmann: to escape the otherwise too powerful temptation to deny the Lord. This again is decisively refuted by the fact that, in Mat 24:16-19 , it is not merely the disciples or believers who are ordered to flee, but the summons to do so is a general one . What is said with reference to the flight does not assume an individualizing character till Mat 24:20 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Ver. 16. Flee into the mountains ] As Lot at length did, for Zoar was too hot to hold him; so should Judea be for these, who were therefore to repair to Pella, beyond Jordan, where they were hidden until the indignation was overpast, as Eusebius hath it, in the third book and fifth chapter of his history. Such a receptacle of religious people was Geneva in the Marian persecution. And such (blessed be God our strength for his unspeakable favour) is at this present Warwick Castle, to myself writing these things, and to many others in these troublous times. So Bucer and many godly people were entertained and safe guarded by that noble Franciscus a Siekengen in the German wars.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
16 18. ] The Christian Jews are said (Euseb. H. E. iii. 5) to have fled to Pella , a town described by Josephus (B. J. iii. 3. 3) as the northernmost boundary of Pera. Eusebius says they were directed thither by a certain prophetic intimation ( ), which however cannot be this ; as Pella is not on the mountains , but beyond them (but in order to reach it would not they have to fly exactly over, along, across them? See note on ch. Mat 18:12 ): Epiphanius (de mensuris et pond. 15, vol. ii. p. 171) that they .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mat 24:16 . ., those in Judaea who have no part in the struggle, with special reference to disciples of Jesus. There would naturally be some in the city, therefore the counsel to fly must refer to a point of time antecedent to the commencement of the siege. , to the mountains outside of Judaea, i.e. , east of the Jordan; general as befits prophetic speech. The actual place of refuge was Pella, as we learn from Eusebius, H. E., iii., 5, 3.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
into = upon. Greek. epi. LTr. WH read “eis”. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
16-18.] The Christian Jews are said (Euseb. H. E. iii. 5) to have fled to Pella, a town described by Josephus (B. J. iii. 3. 3) as the northernmost boundary of Pera. Eusebius says they were directed thither by a certain prophetic intimation ( ), which however cannot be this; as Pella is not on the mountains, but beyond them (but in order to reach it would not they have to fly exactly -over, along, across them? See note on ch. Mat 18:12):-Epiphanius (de mensuris et pond. 15, vol. ii. p. 171) that they .
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mat 24:16. , then) This answers to , when, in Mat 24:3. The word then often occurs in this discourse.- , those that are in Judea) not all the Jews, nor Christians dwelling elsewhere; but those who, believing the word of Jesus, should be in Judea.-, let them flee) without hope that the siege might be raised.- , into the mountains) Safety was here promised in the mountains: and it was afterwards found there at Pella. See Eusebius H. E. iii. 5. Jesus warns His followers not to think that they would be safe within the city, in opposition to the persuasion pertinaciously maintained during the actual siege by the carnal prudence of the Jews.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Then let them which
Cf. Luk 21:20-24. The passage in Luke refers in express terms to a destruction of Jerusalem which was fulfilled by Titus, A.D. 70; the passage in Matthew to a future crisis in Jerusalem after the manifestation of the abomination. See “Beast”; Dan 7:8; Rev 19:20 and “Armageddon”; Rev 16:14; Rev 19:17.
As the circumstances in both cases will be similar, so are the warnings. In the former case Jerusalem was destroyed; in the latter it will be delivered by divine interposition.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Gen 19:15-17, Exo 9:20, Exo 9:21, Pro 22:3, Jer 6:1, Jer 37:11, Jer 37:12, Luk 21:21, Luk 21:22, Heb 11:7
Reciprocal: Gen 19:17 – Escape Deu 28:52 – General 1Sa 20:38 – General 2Sa 17:16 – but speedily 2Ki 7:7 – and fled for their life 2Ki 7:15 – had cast away Isa 14:32 – trust in it Isa 22:5 – crying Jer 44:29 – a sign Jer 48:6 – Flee Zec 14:2 – the city Mar 13:15 – General Luk 21:7 – what Rev 18:4 – Come
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4:16
However offensive the presence of a Roman army would seem, the Lord used it as a signal for his disciples to flee for safety while it was possible. In the church history of Eusebius, chapter 5, in a foot note is the following. “But the people of the church in Jerusalem had been commanded by a revelation, vouchsafed [guaranteed as safe] to approved men there before the war, to leave the city and to dwell in a certain town of Perea called Pella.”
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 24:16. Flee unto the mountains. The Christians in Judea accordingly fled to Pella, over the mountains in Perea, and were safe in all those days of horror.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
The meaning is, “As soon as you shall see the Roman army appear before the city of Jerusalem, let every one that values his own safety, fly as far and as fast as he can, even as Lot fled out of Sodom; and let such as fly be glad if by flight they can save their lives, though they lose their goods, thir clothes, and all things beside.”
From hence learn, 1. That when Almighty God is pouring forth his fury upon a sinful people, it is lawful, yea a necessary duty, by flight to endeavour the hiding and sheltering themselves from the approaching calamity and desolation: When ye shall see Jerusalem encompassed with armies, then flee to the mountains.
2. That in the case of flight before a bloody enemy and army, if we lose all that we have, and our lives be given us, we fare well, and the Lord deals very mercifully with us.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
When the abomination of desolation appears, the Jews living in Jerusalem and Judea should flee immediately (cf. Luk 17:31; Rev 12:14). His influence would extend far beyond Jerusalem. They must seek refuge in places where they can escape his persecution. They must not even take time to retrieve possessions from their houses as they flee. Pregnant women and nursing mothers will have a hard time because their physical conditions will limit their mobility. Weather would make flight harder in the winter, and observant Jews would seek to discourage travel on the Sabbath.