A long section about "the end of the world" or, more precisely, "the culmination of an era."
Matthew 24:15 When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Matthew 24:15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’[spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—
Certainly, when you might see the nastiness of the ravaging, the one commented upon by Daniel of the light bringer, erected within a place devoted to God. Let the one recognizing reflect.
Do we really want to see this someone's abomination standing anywhere?
The key unusual words "abomination" and "desolation" here are quotes from the Greek OT, the Septuagint. We could see a double entendre here based on the "standing" but it is not necessary.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "shall" indicates the future tense, but that is not the tense here.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "desolation" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the one" before "spoken of" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "spoken" is not the common word usually translated as "spoken."
- WV - Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "whosoever" should be something more like "the one."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "readeth" is not an active verb but a participle, "recognizing."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "reaseth" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "so" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "certainly" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "standing" is not a participle but an active verb "stand."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "that causes" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "desolation" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the one" before "spoken of" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "spoken" is not the common word usually translated as "spoken."
- WV - Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "whosoever" should be something more like "the one."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "reader" is not a noun but a participle, "recognizing."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "reader" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
When -- The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since."
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the following verb.
therefore -- The Greek word translated as "therefore" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative.
shall -- (WT) This helping verb seems to indicate that the following verb is the future tense but it isn't. That verb is the present tense.
see -- The verb translated as "see" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
abomination - "Abomination" is translated from a Greek word appears first in Septuagint, the Greek OT, but it doesn't appear elsewhere in Greek writings, except, of course, in the NT and religious writing after Jesus. It is translated consistently as "abomination," but a related noun means "sickness," "nausea," "filth," and "nastiness." The verb form means "to feel loathing for food," "to make a stink," and "to make loathsome." The most common word of this root word is the adjective that means "disgusting" and "loathsome." In the source reference, Dan 12:11, the Hebrew word means "detestable things," "idol," "impure clothing," and "flesh of victims." The root means "to contaminate," and "to pollute."
of -- This word comes from the genitive case of the following word(s) that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
desolation, -- "Desolation" is from a Greek word that means "making desolate," the idea of being stripped bare" and being abandoned or deserted. It is in the possessive form. It too is from the Septuagint, but it appears elsewhere in Greek literature. Here, the Hebrew source word means "to be desolate," "to be deflowered," "to stun," "to be appalled," "to devastate," "to ravage," "to cause horror," and "to cause oneself ruin." When Christ refers to the "desert" or "wilderness" he uses the noun form of this word.
missing "the one" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
spoken of -- (CW, WV) The Greek word translated as "spoken of" is from one of the less common words that mean "to say," "to speak," "to proclaim," and "to be mentioned." It has the sense of "to reference" or "to remark." It is in the passive and in the form of an adjective used as a noun, "the one commented upon." It is a passive participle, "being mentioned."
by -- The word translated as "through" means "through," in the midst of," or "by (a cause)."
Daniel -- This is from the Greek spelling of the Hebrew name of Daniel.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
prophet, -- The Greek word translated as "the prophet" means "one who speaks for God," "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt. Christ uses it to refer not only to divine spokespeople but their books in the OT. It is from the verb that means "to shine before" so the phrase "light bringer" in English captures it feeling.
stand - The Greek word translated as "stand" means "stand up" "set up,," and "to erect." This is Jesus's word, continuing the sexual references we saw in Matthew 24:13.
in The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "among."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
holy -- The word translated as "holy" means "devoted to the gods," "ritually pure," and on the negative side "accursed." The sense is that those using things of the gods are cursed.
place, The Greek word translated as "place," means "place" "region," and "topic." It is also a metaphor for "opening," "occasion," and "opportunity."
(whosoever -- (WW) The word translated as "whosoever " is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." Here it appears before a verbal adjective. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
readeth -- (WF, CW) "He who readeth" is from a verb that means "to know well," "to know certainly," and "to recognize." Christ usually uses this word when referring to biblical references.
let -- This "let" is the helping verb used to translate the Greek form of the third-person command for the verb translated as "understand." In English all commands are in the second-person. This form is used as something like our word "must" or as a request, "may."
him -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the following verb.
understand,) "Let...understand" is from another verb that means "to observe," "to perceive by the eyes," "to perceive by the mind," "to think," and "to reflect,." This is another word Christ uses only when referring to OT references. It is in a form of third person command we don't have in English, that is usually translated as "let..." and then the command. We would just say in the second person, "Reflect" or "ponder."
So -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "so" in the Greek source.
when -- The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since."
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the following verb.
missing "certainly" -- (MW) The untranslated word "certainly" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative.
see -- The verb translated as "see" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive."
standing - (WF) The Greek word translated as "stand" means "stand up" "set up,," and "to erect." This is Jesus's word, continuing the sexual references we saw in Matthew 24:13.stand - The Greek word translated as "stand" means "stand up" "set up,," and "to erect." This is Jesus's word, continuing the sexual references we saw in Matthew 24:13. This is not in the form of a participle "standing" but an active verb, "stand."
in The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "among."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
holy -- The word translated as "holy" means "devoted to the gods," "ritually pure," and on the negative side "accursed." The sense is that those using things of the gods are cursed.
place, The Greek word translated as "place," means "place" "region," and "topic." It is also a metaphor for "opening," "occasion," and "opportunity."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
abomination - "Abomination" is translated from a Greek word appears first in Septuagint, the Greek OT, but it doesn't appear elsewhere in Greek writings, except, of course, in the NT and religious writing after Jesus. It is translated consistently as "abomination," but a related noun means "sickness," "nausea," "filth," and "nastiness." The verb form means "to feel loathing for food," "to make a stink," and "to make loathsome." The most common word of this root word is the adjective that means "disgusting" and "loathsome." In the source reference, Dan 12:11, the Hebrew word means "detestable things," "idol," "impure clothing," and "flesh of victims." The root means "to contaminate," and "to pollute."
that causes -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "that causes" in the Greek source.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
desolation, -- "Desolation" is from a Greek word that means "making desolate," the idea of being stripped bare" and being abandoned or deserted. It is in the possessive form. It too is from the Septuagint, but it appears elsewhere in Greek literature. Here, the Hebrew source word means "to be desolate," "to be deflowered," "to stun," "to be appalled," "to devastate," "to ravage," "to cause horror," and "to cause oneself ruin." When Christ refers to the "desert" or "wilderness" he uses the noun form of this word.
missing "the one" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
spoken of -- (CW, WV) The Greek word translated as "spoken of" is from one of the less common words that mean "to say," "to speak," "to proclaim," and "to be mentioned." It has the sense of "to reference" or "to remark." It is in the passive and in the form of an adjective used as a noun, "the one commented upon." It is a passive participle, "being mentioned."
through -- The word translated as "through" means "through," in the midst of," or "by (a cause)."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
prophet, -- The Greek word translated as "the prophet" means "one who speaks for God," "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt. Christ uses it to refer not only to divine spokespeople but their books in the OT. It is from the verb that means "to shine before" so the phrase "light bringer" in English captures it feeling.
Daniel -- This is from the Greek spelling of the Hebrew name of Daniel.
let -- This "let" is the helping verb used to translate the Greek form of the third-person command for the verb translated as "understand." In English all commands are in the second-person. This form is used as something like our word "must" or as a request, "may."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
reader -- (WF, CW) "He who readeth" is from a verb that means "to know well," "to know certainly," and "to recognize." Christ usually uses this word when referring to biblical references.
understand,) "Let...understand" is from another verb that means "to observe," "to perceive by the eyes," "to perceive by the mind," "to think," and "to reflect,." This is another word Christ uses only when referring to OT references. It is in a form of third person command we don't have in English, that is usually translated as "let..." and then the command. We would just say in the second person, "Reflect" or "ponder."
Ὅταν [70 verses] (adv/conj) "When" is from hotan, which means "whenever (as a condition)," and "since (as a cause)." -- The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since."
οὖν [82 verses](adv) "Therefore" is oun, which means "certainly," "in fact," "really," "in fact," "so" and "then" (continuing a narrative), and "then" and "therefore." -- The Greek word translated as "therefore" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative.
ἴδητε [166 verses]( verb 2nd pl pres ind act ) "Shall see" is eido which means "to see," "to examine," "to perceive," "to behold," "to know how to do," "to see with the mind's eye," and "to know."
“τὸ [821 verses] (article sg neut acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
βδέλυγμα [2 verses]( noun sg neut acc ) (noun sg neut acc)"Abomination" is bdelygma, which means "abomination," but this word appears only in the NT. A related word, bdelugmia, means "sickness," "nausea," "filth," and "nastiness." The verb form, bdelussomai, means "to feel loathing for food," "to make stink," and "to make loathsome." The most common word of this base is the adjective, bdeluros, which means "disgusting" and "loathsome." In the source reference, Dan 12:11, the Hebrew word is shiqquwts, which means "detestable things," "idol," "impure clothing," and "flesh of victims." The root, shaqats, means "to contaminate," and "to pollute."
τῆς [821 verses] (article sg fem gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
ἐρημώσεως” [3 verses](noun sg fem gen) "Desolation" is erêmôsis, which means "making desolate." It is from erêmoô, which means "to strip bare," "desolate," "to lay waste," "to abandon," "to desert" "to bereave," and "to be left without." The Hebrew source is shamem, which means "to be desolate," "to stun," "to be appalled," "to devastate," "to ravage," "to cause horror," and "to cause oneself ruin." Christ uses the noun form, eremos, that is translated as "desert" or "wilderness."
τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut nom/acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ῥηθὲν [9 verses](part sg aor pass neut nom/acc) "Spoken of" is ero, which means "to speak," "to say," "to pronounce," "to tell," "to let suffice," "to announce," "to proclaim," (in passive) "to be pronounced," "to be mentioned," "to be specified," "to be agreed," and "to be promised."
διὰ [88 verses](prep) "By" is from dia which means "through," "in the midst of," "in a line (movement)," "throughout (time)," "by (causal)," "among," and "between."
Δανιὴλ [4 verses](Hebrew name) "Daniel" is from Daniel, the Hebrew name of the Jewish prophet.
τοῦ [821 verses] (article sg masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
προφήτου [37 verses](noun sg masc gen) "The prophet" is from prophetes, which means "one who speaks for a god and interprets his will," "interpreter," "keepers of the oracle," "the highest level of priesthood in Egypt," "interpreter," and "herald." It is a verb that means "to shine forth" It is a form of the verb, prophao. which means "to shine forth," or "to shine before."
ἑστὸς [28 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Stand" is histemi, which means "to make to stand," "to stand," "to set up," "to bring to a standstill," "to check," "to appoint," "to establish," "to fix by agreement," "to be placed," "to be set," "to stand still," "to stand firm," "to set upright," "to erected," "to arise," and "to place."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with."
τόπῳ ([16 verses]noun sg masc dat) "Place" is topos, which means "place," "region," "position," "part [of the body]," "district," "room," and "topic." It is also a metaphor for "opening," "occasion," and "opportunity."
ἁγίῳ, [18 verses] (adj sg masc dat) "Holy" is hagios, which means "devoted to the gods," "pure," "holy," and on the negative side "accursed."
” ὁ [821 verses] (article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
ἀναγινώσκων [9 verses](part sg pres act masc nom) "Him who readeth" is anaginosko, which means "to recognize," "to know well," "to know certainly," "to know again," "to own," and "to acknowledge."
νοείτω, [8 verses](verb 3rd sg pres imperat act) "Let... understand" is noeo, means specifically "to perceive with the mind," "apprehend," "think out, "devise," "consider," (of words) "bear a certain sense," and "reflect."
The word translated as "stand" has more the sense of "stand up" and, given the Biblical quote, could refer to the male organ.
"Certainly," he continued. "You might see 'the nastiness of the ravaging'...."
He said the phrase as a quote.
"The one mentioned by Daniel, the light bringer," he explained.
Then he paused as if searching for a word.
"Erected," he said at last, but his tone was serious despite the playfulness of the word. "In the place dedicated to the divine."
His followers sense not that he was speaking about something deadly serious.
"If you recognize," he continued simply. "Ponder."