@Davidpt I asked ChatGPT this question - and the answer is straight out of
@Spiritual Israelite 's book of eschatological confusion. In other words, it disagrees with both you and me:
Is Jesus' mention of an abomination of desolation in the holy place in Matthew 24:15 more likely to be associated with the abomination of desolation placed in the holy place by Antiochus IV Epiphanes which did not result in the destruction of the temple or city, or with the abominations mentioned in Daniel 9:27?
Excellent and thoughtful question — let’s break it down carefully, as you’re probing a key point in interpreting Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:15.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:15
"So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains."
Important features of what Jesus says:
He refers to a future visible event (“when you see…”).
He cites Daniel as the source — not a generic tradition.
He links it to a crisis that requires fleeing Judea.
✡ Which Daniel passage is Jesus referencing?
Daniel 11:31 – Antiochus IV Epiphanes
This speaks of Antiochus profaning the temple with an abomination (altar to Zeus, pagan sacrifice).
It didn’t destroy the temple or the city.
Jewish forces (the Maccabees) eventually restored the temple.
While Antiochus’ actions are the first and clearest historical fulfillment of “abomination of desolation” language, Jesus speaks of something future from his point of view (Antiochus’ desecration was ~200 years earlier).
Daniel 9:27
"And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."
This speaks of abominations connected to desolation — with the city and sanctuary ultimately destroyed (9:26).
The context (9:26–27) points to destruction rather than just temporary defilement.
This passage seems to match a final crisis tied to desolation of city + sanctuary.
Jesus’ reference aligns more naturally with Daniel 9:27, because:
He warns of a catastrophic event requiring flight (fulfilled in part in A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem).
The abomination triggers not just defilement but widespread desolation (as in Daniel 9:27).
Summary of association
➡ Jesus’ abomination of desolation in Matthew 24:15 is more likely associated with the abominations of Daniel 9:27 rather than with Antiochus IV’s act (Daniel 11:31).
Here’s why:
Jesus places the abomination in the future relative to his audience.
The event leads to destruction and desolation, matching Daniel 9:27 better than Daniel 11:31.
Daniel 11:31 refers to Antiochus’ historical act, which was already past at Jesus’ time.
However, it’s important to note that many scholars (especially those who see patterns of prophetic fulfillment) believe Jesus may have drawn on the type or pattern of Antiochus' desecration (Daniel 11:31) to describe a future, greater abomination that would lead to destruction — as prophesied in Daniel 9:27.
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Notice how the part I changed to red above associates the destruction of the temple and Daniel 9:27
with Matthew 24:15, and hence associates Daniel 9:27 and AD70 with the AoD in the holy place.
That's the mistake they all make - but Matthew 24:15 has nothing to do with AD70 and Daniel 9:27 because Matthew 24:15 is talking only about the future AoD of 2 Thessalonians 2:4, which scripture associates only with A4E and the AoD he placed in the holy place of the 2nd temple.
