things take place." While Daniel's "abomination" was probably a pagan altar or sacrifice, Mark uses a masculine participle for "standing", indicating a concrete historical person: several candidates have been suggested, but the most likely is Titus. The majority of scholars believe that Mark was the source used by the authors of Matthew and Luke for their "abomination of desolation" passages. follows Mark 13:14 closely: "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains"; but unlike Mark, Matthew uses a neutral participle instead of a masculine one, and explicitly identifies Daniel as his prophetic source. drops the "abomination" entirely: "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it." In all three it is likely that the authors had in mind a future eschatological (i.e., end-time) event, and perhaps the activities of some antichrist. Apart from the literal interpretation, others see these prophecies of Jesus as a direct reference to the prophecies of Daniel 11:31-32, being the warning of the abomination of desolation inside the temple a symbolic language, representing the abomination of desolation the apostasy that brings perdition; which will prevail in those days, and which must not dwell in us; the temple of God. See also Related Bible parts: Daniel 7, Daniel 8, Daniel 11, Daniel 12, Matthew 24, Mark 13 Abomination (Judaism) Apocalypticism Mount of Temptation Judgment day Prophecy of Seventy Weeks Summary of Christian eschatological differences Notes References Bibliography Biblical phrases Book of Daniel Religious terminology