Matthew 24:22
in Matthew 24If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
KJV
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
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This verse in Matthew 24
Commentary
22 notes on this verseExcept those days should be shortened - Josephus computes the number of those who perished in the siege at eleven hundred thousand, besides those who were slain in other places, War, b. vi. c. 9; and if the Romans had gone on destroying in this manner, the whole nation of the Jews would, in a short time, have been entirely extirpated; but, for the sake of the elect, the Jews, that they might not be utterly destroyed, and for the Christians particularly, the days were shortened.
This site's exposition
great tribulation
on Matthew 24:21-22
Jesus names a distress "unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again". Josephus's account of the siege records famine driving mothers to terrible acts and corpses past counting. Verse 22 sets mercy inside the judgment, since those days will be cut short.
This site's exposition
those days will be cut short
Clarke cites Josephus, who counted eleven hundred thousand killed in the siege, besides those killed in other places. Had the Romans kept on, the whole nation would have perished. For the sake of the elect means for the Jews in Clarke's reading, and above all for the Christians among them.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
Indeed some persons seem to me not unfitly to understand by these days the evils themselves, as in other places of divine Scripture evil days are spoken of; not that the days themselves are evil, but the things that are done on them. And they are said to be shortened, because they are less felt, God giving us endurance; so that even though grievous, they are felt as short.
For we ought not to doubt that when Jerusalem was overthrown, there were among that people elect of God who had believed out of the circumcision, or would have believed, elect before the foundation of the world, for whose sake those days should be shortened, and their evils made endurable. Some there are who suppose that the days will be shortened by a more rapid motion of the sun, as the day was made longer on the prayer of Jesus Naue.
On account of this, the Lord, foreseeing these things, says, "Pray that your flight does not happen in winter or on the Sabbath, you ought not to rest from righteousness nor engage in the matters of this life, as in winter, lest that day unknowingly fall upon you as a trap." [Matthew 24:20; Luke 21:34] "For if," he says, "those days were not curtailed, not any flesh would be saved. But on account of the elect those days will be curtailed." [Matthew 24:22]
"Those days" refers to the commandments and truths which were placed in Scripture for the illumination of rational souls. Accordingly, every doctrine that comes from "false knowledge" and is joined to the words of Scripture is to be understood as corresponding to additions beyond the natural length of days in Scripture. The good God, however, shortens the addition of these days through whom he chooses. Whenever you see then by the advent of the Word of truth in your mind that the "arrogant who fight against the knowledge of God" are cut off, understand that the days of tribulation are shortened. The extra length is abbreviated which the abomination of desolation always adds in opposition to the natural number of the days of the Lord which are in Scripture. "Those days" will be shortened "for the sake of the elect," so that they will suffer nothing from the desolation of abomination nor from what was added to the true and natural days of Scripture. This assumes that the addition of days has been shortened and that the only remaining light is that of the word of truth.
Mystically; In the holy place of the Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, Antichrist, that is, false word, has often stood; let those who see this flee from the Judæa of the letter to the high mountains of truth. And whoso has been found to have gone up to the house-top of the word, and to be standing upon its summit, let him not come down thence as though he would fetch any thing out of his house. And if he be in the field in which the treasure is hid, and return thence to his house, he will run into the temptation of a false word; but especially if he have stripped off his old garment, that is, the old man, and should have returned again to take it up. Then the soul, as it were with child by the word, not having yet brought forth, is liable to a woe; for it casts that which it had conceived, and loses that hope which is in the acts of truth; and the same also if the word has been brought forth perfect and entire, but not having yet attained sufficient growth. Let them that flee to the mountains pray that their flight be not in the winter or on the sabbath-day, because in the serenity of a settled spirit they may reach the way of salvation, but if the winter overtake them they fall amongst those whom they would fly from. And there be some who rest from evil works, but do not good works; be your flight then not on such sabbath when a man rests from good works, for no man is easily overcome in times of peril from false doctrines, except he is unprovided with good works. But what sorer affliction is there than to see our brethren deceived, and to feel one's self shaken and terrified? Those days mean the precepts and dogmas of truth; and all interpretations coming of science falsely so called (1 Tim. 6:20.) are so many additions to those days, which God shortens by those whom He wills.
14 more voices on this verse
The Church Fathers7 voices
Or; That we be not taken in the frost of sins, or in discontinuance of good works, because of the soreness of the affliction; notwithstanding that for the sake of God's elect, those days shall be shortened, that the abridgment of the time may disarm the force of the calamities.
A commentator
Apostolic ConstitutionsApostolic Constitutions (Book VII), Section 2, XXXII · Written before 380.
proposed
For in the last days false prophets shall be multiplied, and such as corrupt the word; and the sheep shall be changed into wolves, and love into hatred: for through the abounding of iniquity the love of many shall wax cold. For men shall hate, and persecute, and betray one another. And then shall appear the deceiver of the world, the enemy of the truth, the prince of lies, [2 Thessalonians 2:3-12] whom the Lord Jesus "shall destroy with the spirit of His mouth, who takes away the wicked with His lips; and many shall be offended at Him. But they that endure to the end, the same shall be saved. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven;" [Isaiah 11:4; Matthew 24:1-51] and afterwards shall be the voice of a trumpet by the archangel; and in that interval shall be the revival of those that were asleep. And then shall the Lord come, and all His saints with Him, with a great concussion above the clouds, with the angels of His power, [Matthew 16:27] in the throne of His kingdom, to condemn the devil, the deceiver of the world, and to render to every one according to his deeds. "Then shall the wicked go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous shall go into life eternal," [Matthew 25:46] to inherit those things "which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, such things as God has prepared for them that love Him;" [1 Corinthians 2:9] and they shall rejoice in the kingdom of God, which is in Christ Jesus.
Not remembering that which is written. The day continues according to thy ordinances. (Ps. 119:91.) We must understand it of their being shortened not in measure, but in number, lest the faith of believers should be shaken by lengthened affliction.
[Daniel 7:25] "And he shall utter (variant: "he utters") speeches against the Lofty One." Or else, as Symmachus has rendered it: "He utters speeches like God," so that one who assumes the authority of God will also arrogate to himself the words of divine majesty. "...And he shall crush the saints of the Most High, and will suppose himself to be able to alter times and laws." The Antichrist will wage war against the saints and will overcome them; and he shall exalt himself to such a height of arrogance as to attempt changing the very laws of God and the sacred rites as well. He will also lift himself up against all that is called God, subjecting all religion to his own authority. "...And they shall be delivered into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time." "Time" is equivalent to "year." The word "times," according to the idiom of the Hebrews (who also possess the dual number) represents "two years." The half a year signifies "six months." During this period the saints are to be given over to the power of the Antichrist, in order that those Jews might be condemned who did not believe the truth but supported a lie. The Savior also speaks of this period in the Gospel, saying: "Unless those days had been cut short, no flesh would be saved" (Matthew 24:22). In the final vision we shall assert the inappropriateness of this period to Antiochus.
(Verse 22.) And unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
Watch for your life's sake. Let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but be ye ready, for ye know not the hour in which our Lord cometh. But often shall ye come together, seeking the things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time of your faith will not profit you, if ye be not made perfect in the last time. For in the last days false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate; for when lawlessness increaseth, they shall hate and persecute and betray one another, and then shall appear the world-deceiver as Son of God, and shall do signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall do iniquitous things which have never yet come to pass since the beginning. Then shall the creation of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be made to stumble and shall perish; but they that endure in their faith shall be saved from under the curse itself. And then shall appear the signs of the truth; first, the sign of an out-spreading in heaven; then the sign of the sound of the trumpet; and the third, the resurrection of the dead; yet not of all, but as it is said: The Lord shall come and all His saints with Him. Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.
"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." By these things He shows them to be deserving of a more grievous punishment than had been mentioned, speaking now of the days of the war and of that siege. But what He saith is like this. If, saith He, the war of the Romans against the city had prevailed further, all the Jews had perished (for by "no flesh" here, He meaneth no Jewish flesh), both those abroad, and those at home. For not only against those in Judaea did they war, but also those that were dispersed everywhere they outlawed and banished, because of their hatred against the former. But whom doth He here mean by the elect? The believers that were shut up in the midst of them. For that Jews may not say that because of the gospel, and the worship of Christ, these ills took place, He showeth, that so far from the believers being the cause, if it had not been for them, all had perished utterly. For if God had permitted the war to be protracted, not so much as a remnant of the Jews had remained, but lest those of them who had become believers should perish together with the unbelieving Jews, He quickly put down the fighting, and gave an end to the war. Therefore He saith, "But for the elect's sake they shall be shortened." But these things He said to leave an encouragement to those of them who were shut up in the midst of them, and to allow them to take breath, that they might not be in fear, as though they were to perish with them. […]
The Medieval Church2 voices
Hence, unless those days had been shortened, no flesh should be saved. Augustine says that some have explained this as meaning that the days were then made shorter, as in the time of Joshua a day was made longer. But against this Psalm 118:91 says: …
There was at that time [of the capture of Jerusalem] unendurable tribulation. For the Roman soldiers were commanded to spare no one; but God, for the sake of those who would believe or who had already believed, did not allow them to be completely destroyed, …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
); the deceivers would pretend to divine inspiration, an immediate mission, and a spirit of prophecy, when it was all a lie. Such they had been formerly ( Jer. xxiii. 6 ), as was foretold, Deut. xiii.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation+unbalanced-parens
And except those days should be shortened,....
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
One main subject of this part of our Lord’s prophecy is the taking of Jerusalem by the Romans. That great event took place about forty years after the words we have now read were spoken. A full account of it is to be found in the writings of the historian Josephus. Those writings are the best comment on our Lord’s words; they are a striking proof of the accuracy of every title of his predictions.
One main subject of this part of our Lord’s prophecy is the taking of Jerusalem by the Romans. That great event took place about forty years after the words we have now read were spoken. A full account of it is to be found in the writings of the historian Josephus. Those writings are the best comment on our Lord’s words; they are a striking proof of the accuracy of every title of his predictions. The horrors and miseries which the Jews endured throughout the siege of their city exceed anything on record: it was truly a time of tribulation, so as was not since the beginning of the world It surprises some to find so much importance attached to the taking of Jerusalem: they would rather regard the whole chapter as unfulfilled. Such persons forget that Jerusalem and the temple were the heart of the old Jewish dispensation. When they were destroyed, the old Mosaic system came to an end. The daily sacrifice, the yearly feasts, the altar, the holy of holies and the priesthood were all essential parts of revealed religion, till Christ came—but no longer. When he died upon the cross, their work was done: they were dead, and it only remained that they should be buried. But it was not fitting that this thing should be done quietly. The ending of a dispensation given with so much solemnity at Mount Sinai might well be expected to be marked with particular solemnity; the destruction of the holy temple, where so many old saints had seen “shadows of good things to come,” might well be expected to form a subject of prophecy: and so it was. The Lord Jesus specially predicts the desolation of “the holy place.” The great High Priest describes the end of the dispensation which had been a schoolmaster to bring men to himself. But we must not suppose that this part of our Lord’s prophecy is exhausted by the first taking of Jerusalem.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Except those days should be shortened - If the calamities of the siege should be lengthened out. If famine and war should be suffered to rage. No flesh be saved - None of the nation would be preserved alive. All the inhabitants of Judea would perish. The war, famine, and pestilence would entirely destroy them. But for the elect’s sake - The “elect” here doubtless means “Christians.” See 1Pe 1:2; Rom 1:7; Eph 1:4; 1Th 1:4. The word “elect” means “to choose.” It is given to Christians because they are “chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,” 1Pe 1:2. It is probable that in Jerusalem and the adjacent parts of Judea there were many who were true followers of Christ. On their account - to preserve them alive, and to make them the instruments of spreading the gospel Jesus said that those days should not be lengthened out so as to produce their destruction. It is related by Josephus (Jewish Wars, b. 1 chapter 12, section 1) that Titus at first resolved to reduce the city by famine. He therefore built a wall around it to keep any provisions from being carried in, and any of the people from going out. The Jews, however, drew up their army near the walls, engaged in battle, and the Romans pursued them, provoked by their attempts, and broke into the city. The affairs of Rome, also, at that time demanded the presence of Titus there; and, contrary to his original intention he pressed the siege and took the city by storm, thus “shortening” the time that would have been occupied in reducing it by famine. This was for the benefit of the “elect.” So the designs of wicked people, intended by them for the destruction of the people of God, are intended by God for the good of his chosen people. See the notes at Isa 10:7.
The words behind it
20 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| καὶ | kai | And | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| εἰ | ei | only | G1487 → | 508 times |
| μὴ | me | unless | G3361 → | 1066 times |
| ἐκολοβώθησαν | ekolobothesan | was shortened | G2856 → | |
| αἱ | hai | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἡμέραι | hemerai | days | G2250 → | 389 times |
| ἐκεῖναι, | ekeinai | those, | G1565 → | 260 times |
| οὐκ | ouk | not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| ἂν | an | then would | G302 → | 165 times |
| ἐσώθη | esothe | there have been saved | G4982 → | 105 times |
| πᾶσα | pasa | any | G3956 → | 1235 times |
| σάρξ· | sarx | flesh; | G4561 → | 146 times |
| διὰ | dia | because of | G1223 → | 664 times |
| δὲ | de | however | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| τοὺς | tous | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἐκλεκτοὺς | eklektous | elect | G1588 → | 22 times |
| κολοβωθήσονται | kolobothesontai | will be shortened | G2856 → | |
| αἱ | hai | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἡμέραι | hemerai | days | G2250 → | 389 times |
| ἐκεῖναι.¶ | ekeinai | those. | G1565 → | 260 times |
καὶAnd
kaiG2532 →9120 times
εἰonly
eiG1487 →508 times
μὴunless
meG3361 →1066 times
ἐκολοβώθησανwas shortened
ekolobothesanG2856 →
αἱthe
haiG3588 →19766 times
ἡμέραιdays
hemeraiG2250 →389 times
ἐκεῖναι,those,
ekeinaiG1565 →260 times
οὐκnot
oukG3756 →1664 times
ἂνthen would
anG302 →165 times
ἐσώθηthere have been saved
esotheG4982 →105 times
πᾶσαany
pasaG3956 →1235 times
σάρξ·flesh;
sarxG4561 →146 times
διὰbecause of
diaG1223 →664 times
δὲhowever
deG1161 →2765 times
τοὺςthe
tousG3588 →19766 times
ἐκλεκτοὺςelect
eklektousG1588 →22 times
κολοβωθήσονταιwill be shortened
kolobothesontaiG2856 →
αἱthe
haiG3588 →19766 times
ἡμέραιdays
hemeraiG2250 →389 times
ἐκεῖναι.¶those.
ekeinaiG1565 →260 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Matthew 24:24For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
it leads to
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9–11
The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
- Mark 13:22
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
- Revelation 13:13–14
And the second beast performed great signs to cause even fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people.
- Matthew 24:11
and many false prophets will arise and mislead many.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9–11
Through
Matthew 22:14For many are called, but few are chosen.”
it leads to
- 2 Peter 1:10
Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,
- Luke 13:23–24
“Lord,” someone asked Him, “will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answered,
- Revelation 17:14
They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen…
- Matthew 7:13–14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
- 2 Peter 1:10
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies22
About Matthew
This page draws on 20 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Gospels; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions (Book VII), Section 2, XXXII; Augustine of Hippo, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Didache, The Didache, Chapter 16; Flavius Josephus, Wars of the Jews; Hilary of Poitiers, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Hippolytus of Rome, Commentary on Daniel 4.52.1-2; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Matthew; Jerome, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Jerome, St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER SEVEN; Jerome, Commentary on Matthew; John Chrysostom, Homily on the Gospel of Matthew 76; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Origen of Alexandria, COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 45; Origen of Alexandria, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Matthew and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Matthew.