The earliest possible date ( terminus a quo ) for Matthew is sometime after 70 CE. Mark 13:14 refers to the “ desolating sacrilege ” set up where it ought not to be, and this gospel is usually dated about 70 CE. Matthew 24:15 – 16 interprets the Markan words (see “ Sources and Intertextuality ” ) as someone standing in the holy place and identifi es their scriptural source as “ the prophet Daniel ” (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; cf. 1 Macc. 1:54). Most scholars think that these words allude to the Roman general Titus who not only ravaged Jerusalem, but destroyed the temple in 70 CE, an event commemorated by the Arch of Titus in the Roman Forum. Titus subsequently became emperor (79 – 81 CE) and it is very likely that an allegorical comment in Matthew 22:7 – a “ king ” / ” emperor ” destroyed “ their [the Israelites ’ ] city ” – refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. The range of possibility is 70 to 110 CE. Most scholars prefer a date for Matthew midway between, about 80 – 90 CE, allowing some years after Mark. This time period is strongly supported by an internal analysis of Matthew and other known historical events (see “ Occasion ” and “ Literary and Composition Analysis ” ).