Mat 24:16-25 | RWP | e4.org | Flee unto the mountains ( φευγετωσαν εις τα ορη ). 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.

‏ Matthew 24:16-25

Flee unto the mountains ( φευγετωσαν εις τα ορη ). 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.

On the housetop ( επ του δωματος ). They could escape from roof to roof and so escape, "the road of the roofs," as the rabbis called it. There was need for haste.

In the field ( εν τω αγρω ). The peasant worked in his time and left his mantle at home then as now.

In winter nor on a sabbath ( χειμωνος, genitive of time, μηδε σαββατω, locative of time). In winter because of the rough weather. On a sabbath because some would hesitate to make such a journey on the sabbath. Josephus in his Wars gives the best illustration of the horrors foretold by Jesus in verse 21.

Had been shortened ( εκολοβωθησαν ). From κολοβος, lopped, mutilated, as the hands, the feet. It is a second-class condition, determined as unfulfilled. It is a prophetic figure, the future regarded as past.

For the elect's sake ( δια τους εκλεκτους ). See Mt 22:14 for another use of this phrase by Jesus and also 24:31. The siege was shortened by various historical events like the stopping of the strengthening of the walls by Herod Agrippa by orders from the Emperor, the sudden arrival of Titus, the neglect of the Jews to prepare for a long siege. "Titus himself confessed that God was against the Jews, since otherwise neither his armies nor his engines would have availed against their defences" (Vincent).

Lo, here is the Christ, or here ( ιδου ωδε ο Χριστος η ωδε ). The false prophets (24:11) create the trouble and now false Christs ( ψευδο-Χριστο, verse 24) offer a way out of these troubles. The deluded victims raise the cries of "Lo, here," when these false Messiahs arise with their panaceas for public ills (political, religious, moral, and spiritual).

Great signs and wonders ( σημεια μεγαλα κα τερατα ). Two of the three words so often used in the N.T. about the works ( εργα ) of Jesus, the other being δυναμεις (powers). They often occur together of the same work (Joh 4:48; Ac 2:22; 4:30; 2Co 12:12; Heb 2:4). Τερας is a wonder or prodigy, δυναμις, a mighty work or power, σημειον, a sign of God's purpose. Miracle ( μιραχυλυμ ) presents only the notion of wonder or portent. The same deed can be looked at from these different angles. But the point to note here is that mere "signs and wonders" do not of themselves prove the power of God. These charlatans will be so skilful that they will,

if possible ( ε δυνατον ), lead astray the very elect. The implication is that it is not possible. People become excited and are misled and are unable to judge of results. Often it is post hoc, sed non propter hoc. Patent-medicine men make full use of the credulity of people along this line as do spiritualistic mediums. Sleight-of-hand men can deceive the unwary.