“And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.”
Mark 13:20 — Greek Interlinear
Church Fathers on Mark 13:20
Matthew says, standing 'in the holy place;' but with this verbal difference Mark has expressed the same meaning; for He says 'where it ought not' to stand, because it ought not to stand in the holy place.
When we are challenged to understand what is said, we may conclude that it is mystical. But it may either be said simply of Antichrist, or of the statue of Caesar, which Pilate put into the temple, or of the equestrian statue of Adrian, which for a long time stood in the holy of holies itself. An idol is also called abomination according to the Old Testament, and He has added 'of desolation' because it was placed in the temple when desolate and deserted.
Or He means by 'the abomination of desolation' the entrance of enemies into the city by violence.