Chapter LX.
JESUS FORETELLS THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM
AND THE END OF THE WORLD.
[Matt. 34, I— 51.]
AS Jesus was leaving [1] the Temple some of His disciples called His attention to the rich materials[2] of which it was built. But He told them[3] that the day would soon come when there should not be left one stone upon another of that gorgeous edifice. They asked Him when these things should come to pass, and what signs should precede the end of the world[4]. He said to them:
“When you shall see Jerusalem compassed about with an army, then know that the desolation thereof is at hand. Then let those that are in Judaea flee to the mountains[5]. And he that is in the field[6], let him not go back to take his coat[7]. For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be. There shall be wrath upon this people. They shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captives into all nations. Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles till the times of the nations[8] be fulfilled.
- ↑ Leaving. After visiting it for the last time.
- ↑ The rich materials. For a description of the Temple see chapter VII. Some of the stones of which the Temple was built were as much as thirty feet long, and six or seven feet thick. Anyone looking at its construction might have thought it would stand for ever.
- ↑ Them. As they sat on the Mount of Olives, facing the Temple.
- ↑ The end of the world. The apostles thought that the end of the world, and the establishment of the Messias’ kingdom would begin soon after the destruction of Jerusalem. They therefore asked in one breath when the Temple would be destroyed, and what signs would herald the end of the world. Our Lord answered their question by telling them, first, what signs would precede the destruction of Jerusalem, and, afterwards, what signs would precede the end of the world.
- ↑ To the mountains. For there would be no security for them behind the walls of the city.
- ↑ In the field. Where, for facilitating labour, a man wears only his underclothing.
- ↑ His coat. His upper garments.
- ↑ The times of the nations. Until the time comes when the heathen will be heathen no more, on account of their conversion to Christianity.
