20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
(4) And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
(4) The final destruction of the whole city is foretold.
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies,.... The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Persic versions read, "with an army"; that is, with the Roman army, as it was by the army which Titus Vespasian brought against it, and besieged it with:
then know that the desolation thereof is nigh; signifying, that there would be no deliverance to be expected, as when the Assyrian army under Rabshakeh appeared against it; but that whenever the Roman army besieged it, its destruction might be looked upon as inevitable; nor was the siege raised until it was destroyed, which was about four years after.
by armies--encamped armies, that is, besieged: "the abomination of desolation" (meaning the Roman ensigns, as the symbols of an idolatrous, pagan, unclean power) "spoken of by Daniel the prophet" (Daniel 9:27) "standing where it ought not" (Mark 13:14). "Whoso readeth [that prophecy] let him understand" (Matthew 24:15).
Then . . . flee, &c.--EUSEBIUS says the Christians fled to Pella, at the north extremity of Perea, being "prophetically directed"; perhaps by some prophetic intimation still more explicit than this, which still would be their chart.
*More commentary available at chapter level.