Matthew 24:15

[twelvesmaster]

"Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), [Modern KJV]

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
[KJV]

When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that readeth understand),
[Standard Version]

"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand
[NIV]

"Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand ),
[New American Standard]

These five translations are the only ones I have access to right now. Four use parenthesis around the last phrase. What do the parenthesis mean? Is that a comment inserted by Matthew, or is Matthew quoting Jesus?

[bookworm1711]

The statement is in parentheses for grammatical reasons. Jesus spoke all those words in the immediate context.

I scrambled to find a "red letter" edition of the Bible here, and find it, too, places all of those words in red to mark the direct words of Jesus.

An interesting cross reference to Matthew 24:15 is Jeremiah 23:20, a reference given only in Nelson's Cross Reference Guide to the Bible, a complete collection of cross references (like those found in the center column or side columns of study Bibles) which is far more complete on the subject of Bible prophecy than any other source I've encountered.

[fracturedInfinity]

I think the parenthesis is really irrelevant. The NIV's dashes:

spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

techinically do the same thing as the parenthesis do when read. Whether the bit was spoken by Jesus or written by Matthew doesn't change the fact that we are supposed to take something from this and understand what is being said. Although, it does seem strange to me that Jesus would have spoken the bit in parenthesis to people he was teaching. I would lean more toward it being inserted by Matthew at the time of writing.

It's interesting that the ESV version cross references to Daniel 9 where an angel is sent to give Daniel understanding.

The whole bit in context seems to be:
Daniel 9:
20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God, 21 while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. 23 At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

The Seventy Weeks
24 “Seventy weeks [1] are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. [2] 25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. 26 And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its [3] end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, [4] and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

[twelvesmaster]

I think the parenthesis is really irrelevant. The NIV's dashes:

techinically do the same thing as the parenthesis do when read. Whether the bit was spoken by Jesus or written by Matthew doesn't change the fact that we are supposed to take something from this and understand what is being said. Although, it does seem strange to me that Jesus would have spoken the bit in parenthesis to people he was teaching. I would lean more toward it being inserted by Matthew at the time of writing.

I just find it fascinating that if these are Jesus words in the parenthesis, this would actually be prophecy all by itself -- the fact that what is being said will be recorded, and that there will many "readers" who will understand. Matthew would naturally expect his words to be read since it was second nature for a bureaucrat to record everything and have it reviewed at some point in the future.

[twelvesmaster]

The statement is in parentheses for grammatical reasons. Jesus spoke all those words in the immediate context.

I scrambled to find a "red letter" edition of the Bible here, and find it, too, places all of those words in red to mark the direct words of Jesus.

An interesting cross reference to Matthew 24:15 is Jeremiah 23:20, a reference given only in Nelson's Cross Reference Guide to the Bible, a complete collection of cross references (like those found in the center column or side columns of study Bibles) which is far more complete on the subject of Bible prophecy than any other source I've encountered.

I tend to agree, and find it very intriguing.

[fracturedInfinity]

I just find it fascinating that if these are Jesus words in the parenthesis, this would actually be prophecy all by itself -- the fact that what is being said will be recorded, and that there will many "readers" who will understand. Matthew would naturally expect his words to be read since it was second nature for a bureaucrat to record everything and have it reviewed at some point in the future.

It is fascinating, either way really.

Consider this: Jesus is God. Because we know the trinity to be true, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one in the same and yet two separate entities. Consider that the Bible was written as Godly men were moved by the Holy Spirit. In essence, the Holy Spirit "wrote" the Bible. Since based upon the doctrine of the Trinity Jesus = Holy Spirit, one could say that not only did Jesus speak those words, but he also wrote them (through Matthew).

If that's a little out there, then think of it this way. Jesus is God. The Holy Spirit is God. God spoke those words through Jesus, and wrote them through Matthew. Therefore, God both spoke and wrote those words.

Also, since we know that the Bible IS truth, we can take anything in it that hasn't happened as prophecy. So, since Jesus (God) not only spoke those words, but wrote them also (through Matthew), since it hasn't happened yet, it definatly is prophecy.

:candle :)