David

After my quick foray into Daniel chapter nine, I’d like to return to Matthew 24 (and parallel passages).  Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 both record Jesus quoting the “abomination of desolation” spoken of by the prophet Daniel.  Both authors also make an aside saying “whoever reads, let him understand.”  Since Matthew and Mark are not going to further elaborate and leave that to us, then I will attempt to understand.  In Daniel there are three passages that use the term abomination: Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11.  I shall examine these below.

In 9:27 the angel Gabriel says “on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate” (NKJV).  The NASB, RSV, and ESV are similar.  The NIV says “an abomination that causes desolation.”  These passages do not convey the same sense as the “abomination of desolation” does.  In these passage, except for the NIV, the “one” makes or causes desolation.  It is not the abomination that is causing or making desolation.  Rather, the “one” comes on the wing of abomination.  So abomination and desolation are related in this passage, but that relation is not the same as in “abomination of desolation,” in which there is an abomination and it is described as one of desolation.  The NIV comes closer by making abomination its own entity; an abomination which causes desolation (as opposed to one of desolation).  Thus, with the exception of the NIV translation, it is not clear to me that Jesus is quoting this passage.

Daniel 11:31 says “then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there an abomination of desolation” (NKJV).  The NASB says similarly.  The ESV and RSV both say “the abomination that makes desolation.”  The NIV again says “abomination that causes desolation.”  All of these passages are similar in that the subject is abomination and it is described either as one of desolation or one that makes desolation.  These passages, like the NIV translation of 9:27, all are more similar to Jesus’ quote in Matthew and Mark.  Though the quote is not exact except in NKJV and NASB, the structure is similar to Jesus’ quote; the abomination is of, causes, or makes desolation.

In each translation that I have read of Daniel 12:11, the phrase is the same as in 11:31.  So, if the abomination is of desolation in 11:31 it is of desolation in 12:11.  If it makes in 11:31, it makes in 12:11.  Not only that, but the context of these verses makes it clear that they are referring to the exact same event.  Chapters 10, 11, and 12 of Daniel are all of the same event – an angel has come to Daniel to explain a vision that Daniel had.  The explanation of the vision is found in chapters 11 and 12.  In 12:11, the speaker is telling Daniel about a time frame between the beginning of when the sacrifices are taken away and the abomination of desolation is setup to its end.  In 11:31 the events are foretold, but not time frame is given.  It is abundantly clear that in 12:11 the speaker is referring back to 11:31.  Thus, without a doubt, the “abomination of desolation” in 12:11 is the same as that of 11:31.

So then, what is Jesus talking about in Matthew in Mark.  I believe he is quoting Daniel 11:31 and 12:11.  There may be a strong relationship between these passages and 9:27, in which case that passage is brought along as well.  What is the “abomination of desolation” in Daniel 11 and 12?  I believe it is the alter to the Greek god Zeus which Antiochus IV had setup in the temple in 167 B.C.  (see I Maccabees 1:54).  Antiochus IV also removed the sacrifices (see I Maccabees 1:45), which is placed alongside the abomination of desolation in Daniel 11:31 and 12:11.  Almost exactly three years later the Maccabees rededicated the temple in 164 B.C.  This lines up well with the 1,290 days (about 3 1/2 years) which is prophesied between these two events.

In summary I believe that Jesus is quoting Daniel 11:31 and 12:11 in these passages from the gospels.  The event which Daniel prophesied in those passages was Antiochus IV erecting the pagan alter in the Jewish temple.  Daniel 9:27 may be related, but that relationship is not as strong based on four of the five translations I read.

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