Test the Tradition — chronology: major responsible readings differ. Many critical interpreters see the sequence culminating in the Antiochene crisis, often identifying the “anointed one” cut off with the high priest Onias III. Many Christian interpreters read the passage messianically toward Jesus’ death and the destruction of Jerusalem, though they differ sharply over the starting decree and exact arithmetic. Dispensational interpretation commonly inserts a gap before a future seventieth week; other Christian systems reject that gap. No single modern chart should be presented as if every date were explicitly supplied by Daniel.

What the New Testament makes certain: Jesus explicitly invokes Daniel’s “abomination of desolation” in Matthew 24:15, using Daniel’s desecration language for a later crisis. That inspired reuse proves Daniel 9/11/12 remained forward-significant after earlier historical desecrations. It does not by itself settle every seventy-weeks calculation.

Christological calibration: Daniel 9:26’s “Messiah/anointed one shall be cut off” has substantial Christian significance and may participate in the canonical trajectory to Christ. But because the identification and chronology are disputed and the NT does not quote Daniel 9:26 as a passion fulfillment text, a responsible reading must distinguish “strong/traditional messianic reading” from “explicit NT interpretation.”