Mark 13:20

“And except that the Lord had shortened those days, etc..] Had determined that those days of affliction should be but few, and not last long; that the siege should not be longer continued, and the devastations within and without be prolonged: no flesh should be saved; there would not have been a Jew left; that nation and race of men must have been utterly destroyed from off the face of the earth: but for elect's sake, whom he hath chosen; in Christ, unto eternal salvation; who were either then upon the spot, called or uncalled, or that were to spring from in succeeding times: he hath shortened the days; he hath determined they shall be but few, that a remnant might be saved, and among them…”

“The elect - The Christians: whom he hath chosen - That is, hath taken out of, or separated from, the world, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. He hath shortened - That is, will surely shorten. Mark 13:21”

“13:20 God’s shortening of his timetable for the days of calamity is referred to frequently in intertestamental Jewish literature (e.g., 2 Esdras 2:13; 2 Baruch 20:1). This statement emphasizes the horrors of this tribulation experienced by God’s people, but also God’s mercy in shortening this time. • not a single person will survive: The whole population of Judea might have been destroyed if the days of anguish had been longer. • chosen ones (literally elect): Followers of Jesus.”

“for: Isa 1:9, Isa 6:13, Isa 65:8, Isa 65:9; Zac 13:8, Zac 13:9; Mat 24:22; Rom 11:5-7, Rom 11:23, Rom 11:24, Rom 11:28-32 Mark 13:21”