Mark 13:14 (KJV)

What does Mark 13:14 mean?

Mark 13:14 describes a warning from Jesus that when people see “the abomination of desolation” (a defiling thing that brings ruin), as spoken of by Daniel, standing where it should not be, those in Judea should flee to the mountains. This signals a moment of urgent danger and the need for immediate escape.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples about future troubles, specifically a crisis that will affect Judea. He refers to a prophecy from Daniel about a terrible event or object that desecrates what is holy. The phrase “let him that readeth understand” signals that this is an important clue, encouraging careful attention to the meaning and timing of these events.

The Greek behind Mark 13:14

• ἐρήμωσις (erēmōsis, “desolation”): This word means devastation or ruin, emphasizing not just something offensive but something that destroys or makes a place uninhabitable.
• βδέλυγμα (bdelugma, “abomination”): This term refers to something detestable or disgusting, especially in a religious sense—something so offensive it defiles what is sacred.
• ἑστηκότα (hestēkota, “standing”): The Greek word here is a participle, suggesting the abomination is set up or established in a place it does not belong, not just passing through.
• ἀναγινώσκων (anaginōskōn, “readeth”): This word means to read, but also to recognize or understand, hinting that the reader should pay special attention and seek insight into what Jesus is referencing.

Why Mark 13:14 matters

• Mark 13:14 clarifies that Jesus is referencing a specific prophecy from Daniel, connecting His warning to earlier Jewish expectations about a defiling event in the temple or a holy place.
• The verse highlights the urgency and seriousness of the situation, showing that Jesus is not speaking in general terms but about a concrete, recognizable crisis.
• The parenthetical “let him that readeth understand” underscores that this is a key moment for discernment, inviting readers to look deeper into the meaning and timing of these events rather than taking them lightly.