Matthew 24 · Verse 16

Matthew 24:16

Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:
Matthew 24:16, King James Version

Matthew 24:16 in other translations

BSBthen let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
WEBthen let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
ASVthen let them that are in Judæa flee unto the mountains:
YLTthen those in Judea--let them flee to the mounts;
DARBYthen let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains;
BBEThen let those who are in Judaea go in flight to the mountains:
WebsterThen let them who are in Judea flee to the mountains:

What does Matthew 24:16 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 16. Then let them, etc. Then Christians may know that the end is come, and should seek a place of safety. Destruction would not only visit the city, but would extend to the surrounding part of Judea.

The mountains. The mountains of Palestine abound in caves, a safe retreat for those pursued. In all ages these caves were the favourite places of robbers; and were also resorted to by those in danger, 1Sam 13:6, 22:1, 2Sam 23:13, Josh 10:16. In those mountains they would be safe.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 16 Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains - This counsel was remembered and wisely followed by the Christians afterwards. Eusebius and Epiphanius say, that at this juncture, after Cestius Gallus had raised the siege, and Vespasian was approaching with his army, all who believed in Christ left Jerusalem and fled to Pella, and other places beyond the river Jordan; and so they all marvellously escaped the general shipwreck of their country: not one of them perished. See on Mat 24:13 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 24:4-28

The disciples had asked concerning the times, When these things should be? Christ gave them no answer to that; but they had also asked, What shall be the sign? This question he answers fully. The prophecy first respects events near at hand, the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the Jewish church and state, the calling of the Gentiles, and the setting up of Christ's kingdom in the world; but it also looks to the…

Read the full comment on Matthew 24:4-28 →

Matthew 24:16 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τότεtotethenG5119
οἱhoithoseG3588
ἐνeninG1722
τῇtēa<the>G3588
ἸουδαίᾳIoudaiaJudeaG2449
φευγέτωσανpheugetōsanthey should fleeG5343
εἰςeistoG1519
τὰtatheG3588
ὄρη,orēmountains,G3735

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 24:16

  • Genesis 19:15-17

    And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

  • Hebrews 11:7

    By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

  • Luke 21:21-22

    Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

  • Proverbs 22:3

    A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

  • Exodus 9:20-21

    He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: And he that regarded not the word of the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field.

  • Jeremiah 37:11-12

    And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh’s army, Then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the midst of the people.

  • Jeremiah 6:1

    O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Beth–haccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ge 19:15-17; Ex 9:20,21; Pr 22:3; Jer 6:1; 37:11,12; Lu 21:21,22
Heb 11:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 24:15

    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:)

  • Matthew 24:16

    Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:

  • Matthew 24:17

    Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

Read all of Matthew 24

Matthew 24:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Entonces los que están en Judea, huyan á los montes;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
alors que ceux qui sont en Judée s’enfuient dans les montagnes;
German
Elberfelder 1871
daß alsdann die in Judäa sind, auf die Berge fliehen;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
tunc qui in Judæa sunt, fugiant ad montes: