Matthew 24:20

KJV

But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} pray ye {G4336} that {G3363} your {G5216} flight {G5437} be {G1096} not {G3363} in the winter {G5494}, neither {G3366} on {G1722} the sabbath day {G4521}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Pray that you will not have to escape in winter or on Shabbat.

Berean Standard Bible

Pray that your flight will not occur in the winter or on the Sabbath.

American Standard Version

And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a sabbath:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 24:20, nestled within Jesus' profound Olivet Discourse, offers practical and compassionate counsel to His disciples concerning their desperate flight from Jerusalem during the impending tribulation. Amidst dire warnings of widespread destruction and persecution, Jesus instructs His followers to pray specifically that their urgent escape would not be hindered by the harsh conditions of winter or the religious restrictions imposed by the Sabbath day, thereby highlighting both divine foresight and the practical efficacy of prayer even in the most challenging circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the Olivet Discourse, Jesus' longest prophetic teaching, delivered on the Mount of Olives and recorded in [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse"). It immediately follows His vivid description of the "abomination of desolation" standing in the holy place ([Matthew 24:15](/matthew/24-15 "Matthew 24:15 - The Abomination of Desolation")), which serves as the definitive sign for those in Judea to flee to the mountains. The preceding verses ([Matthew 24:16-18](/matthew/24-16-18 "Matthew 24:16-18 - Urgency of Flight")) emphasize the extreme urgency of this flight, advising against retrieving possessions or even returning home, underscoring the dire necessity of immediate escape. Matthew 24:20 then provides a specific, practical prayer request within this urgent context, demonstrating Jesus' detailed concern for His followers' physical well-being amidst the chaos and transitioning from the *command* to flee to the *conditions* of that flight.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The primary historical context for this prophecy is the impending destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Roman armies in A.D. 70, a cataclysmic event that would devastate Jewish society. For Jews living in Judea, flight would entail navigating a landscape potentially occupied by Roman forces or fraught with civil unrest. Culturally, winter in Judea (roughly November to March) brought heavy rains, cold temperatures, and often impassable, muddy roads, making travel arduous and dangerous, especially for large groups or families. The Sabbath day (Saturday) was a strict day of rest, with travel limited to a "Sabbath day's journey" (approximately 2,000 cubits or less than a mile), making a longer, necessary flight a violation of religious law and potentially hindering access through city gates or assistance from others who observed the Sabbath. This dual challenge highlights the profound practical and religious obstacles faced by devout Jewish believers.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within the Olivet Discourse and the broader Gospels. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Providence and Practical Prayer**. Even amidst prophecies of tribulation, Jesus encourages prayer for practical circumstances, demonstrating God's concern for the physical well-being and ease of His people, down to the weather and religious observance. This aligns with teachings on bringing all concerns to God, as seen in [Philippians 4:6](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Foresight and Preparedness**. Jesus provides specific warnings not to instill fear but to equip His disciples with knowledge and actionable advice, emphasizing that God's people are not left without guidance in times of crisis. This echoes the call to watchfulness found in [Matthew 24:42](/matthew/24-42 "Matthew 24:42 - Be Ready"). Finally, it touches upon the **Tension between Law and Necessity**, particularly regarding the Sabbath, foreshadowing how the urgency of survival might necessitate actions that, under normal circumstances, would be considered breaches of religious custom, a tension Jesus often addressed (e.g., [Matthew 12:1-8](/matthew/12-1-8 "Matthew 12:1-8 - Lord of the Sabbath")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **pray ye (Greek, _proseúchomai'_):** This verb, derived from *pros* (to, toward) and *euchomai* (to wish, pray), signifies a deliberate act of supplication or worship directed toward God. It implies a conscious and earnest engagement in prayer, not merely a casual wish. Jesus' instruction here emphasizes the active role of believers in seeking divine intervention even in the face of predestined events, underscoring the power and purpose of intercessory prayer.
* **flight (Greek, _phygḗ'_):** Meaning "a fleeing" or "escape," this noun vividly conveys the desperate, urgent nature of the movement Jesus describes. It's not a leisurely journey but a hurried, perhaps chaotic, departure from danger. The term highlights the necessity of immediate and rapid evacuation, making the conditions of travel (winter, Sabbath) all the more critical for survival.
* **sabbath day (Greek, _sábbaton'_):** This word, of Hebrew origin, refers to the weekly day of repose from secular avocations, an institution central to Jewish life and law. Its inclusion underscores the specific cultural and religious context of Jesus' audience. For devout Jews, strict limitations on travel and activity on the Sabbath would present a significant impediment to a necessary, urgent flight, forcing a difficult choice between religious observance and physical preservation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But pray ye":** This opening phrase, introduced by "But" (G1161, _dé_), signals a shift from the description of the tribulation to a direct command for action on the part of the disciples. The imperative "pray ye" (G4336, _proseúchomai_) is a call to earnest supplication, indicating that while the events are prophesied, human prayer can still influence the conditions under which they unfold, reflecting God's responsiveness to His people's petitions.
* **"that your flight be not in the winter":** The Greek phrase "hína mḗ" (G3363) translates to "in order that not" or "lest," emphasizing the specific purpose of their prayer. "Your flight" (G5216 _hymōn_ G5437 _phygḗ_) refers to the urgent escape from Jerusalem. Praying against "winter" (G5494, _cheimṓn_) highlights the practical hardships of travel during the rainy, cold season in Judea, which would make rapid movement extremely difficult due to muddy roads, swollen rivers, and exposure to the elements, thereby increasing the danger and potential for delay.
* **"neither on the sabbath day:":** The conjunction "neither" (G3366, _mēdé_) extends the negative prayer request. "On the sabbath day" (G1722 _en_ G4521 _sábbaton_) refers to the Jewish day of rest. For observant Jews, travel was severely restricted on the Sabbath, typically to a "Sabbath day's journey." Fleeing a city would necessitate traveling much further, violating religious law and potentially hindering access through closed city gates or the ability to receive help from others who strictly observed the Sabbath. This part of the prayer acknowledges the profound practical and religious dilemma for Jewish believers.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 24:20 employs several literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus provides specific, practical warnings about future events, preparing His disciples for the difficulties they will face. This isn't abstract prophecy but concrete advice for a real, impending crisis. The mention of "winter" and "Sabbath day" serves as **Specific Imagery**, grounding the prophetic discourse in tangible, relatable obstacles that would have resonated deeply with a first-century Jewish audience. These specific conditions act as **Synecdoche**, where the parts (winter, Sabbath) represent the whole range of practical difficulties and religious dilemmas that would complicate their escape. Furthermore, the imperative "pray ye" functions as a **Direct Command**, emphasizing the active role of human agency and faith in navigating divinely ordained circumstances, highlighting the paradox of divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 24:20 profoundly illustrates God's compassionate concern for His people's practical well-being, even amidst severe tribulation. It reveals that divine providence extends beyond grand theological decrees to the minute details of human experience, such as weather and travel conditions. Jesus' instruction to pray for favorable circumstances during their flight underscores the efficacy of prayer not only for spiritual strength but also for tangible, physical relief. This verse challenges a fatalistic view of prophecy, demonstrating that while God's plan will unfold, human intercession can influence the *manner* of its unfolding, mitigating hardship and facilitating obedience. It also highlights the tension between religious law and the exigencies of survival, a theme Jesus frequently addressed, affirming that human life and well-being often take precedence in times of extreme necessity.

* [Philippians 4:6](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray")
* [Luke 21:20-21](/luke/21-20-21 "Luke 21:20-21 - Warning to Flee Jerusalem")
* [Mark 13:18](/mark/13-18 "Mark 13:18 - Pray for Flight Not in Winter")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 24:20 offers timeless principles for believers facing various forms of tribulation, whether personal, communal, or global. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of proactive prayer, recognizing that God cares about the practicalities of our lives as much as our spiritual state. In times of impending difficulty or crisis, we are called not to despair but to bring our specific concerns, even those seemingly mundane like travel conditions or timing, before God. This verse reminds us that wisdom involves both heeding divine warnings and actively seeking God's grace to navigate challenges with the least possible hardship. It fosters a deep trust in God's loving foresight and His willingness to respond to the earnest prayers of His children, empowering us to face an uncertain future with faith and practical preparedness, knowing that He is intimately involved in every detail of our journey.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' instruction to pray for practical circumstances challenge or affirm your understanding of prayer?**
* **In what current or potential "flights" (difficult situations or transitions) in your life might you need to pray for specific, practical conditions like "not in winter" or "not on the Sabbath"?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to trust God with the details of your life, even those that seem small or insignificant in the face of larger challenges?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the balance between obeying religious observances and responding to urgent, life-preserving necessities?**

### FAQ
**Was Jesus predicting the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, or a future end-times event?**

Answer: While the Olivet Discourse ([Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse"), [Mark 13](/mark/13 "Mark 13 - The Olivet Discourse"), [Luke 21](/luke/21 "Luke 21 - The Olivet Discourse")) contains elements that point to both the immediate future (the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70) and the distant future (the end of the age and Christ's return), Matthew 24:20, with its specific references to "flight" from Judea, "winter," and "the Sabbath day," is primarily understood by scholars as referring to the events leading up to and including the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The practical advice about fleeing from Judea and the specific mention of the Sabbath (a Jewish observance) strongly align with the historical context of that period. However, the principles of preparedness and prayer remain relevant for believers facing any tribulation, including those associated with the end times.

**Why is praying about "winter" and "the Sabbath day" so important for flight?**

Answer: These two conditions represent significant practical and religious obstacles for an urgent escape in first-century Judea. "Winter" ([Matthew 24:20](/matthew/24-20 "Matthew 24:20 - Flight in Winter")) refers to the rainy season (roughly November to March), when travel would be severely hampered by cold, heavy rains, muddy roads, and potentially flooded wadis, making rapid and safe movement extremely difficult, especially for families. "The Sabbath day" ([Matthew 24:20](/matthew/24-20 "Matthew 24:20 - Flight on the Sabbath")) was a day of strict rest for devout Jews, with travel limited to a "Sabbath day's journey" (about half a mile). An urgent flight would necessitate traveling much further, forcing believers to choose between violating religious law and ensuring their survival. Jesus' instruction to pray for these specific conditions demonstrates His compassionate foresight regarding the real-world challenges His followers would face.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Matthew 24:20 directly addresses the practicalities of physical flight from Jerusalem, its deeper Christ-centered fulfillment lies in how Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, provides the ultimate "flight" or escape from the greater tribulation of sin and death. Jesus' compassionate concern for His disciples' physical well-being during the A.D. 70 judgment foreshadows His infinitely greater provision for humanity's spiritual salvation. He is the one who, through His sacrifice, has opened the way for us to [flee from the wrath to come](/1_thessalonians/1-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Fleeing from Wrath") and find refuge in Him. Just as He warned His followers to prepare for a physical exodus, He calls all to prepare for His return, urging a spiritual vigilance that transcends mere physical circumstances. The "rest" found in Christ, a spiritual Sabbath, offers liberation from the burdensome legalism that could hinder true obedience, inviting us instead into a relationship where [He is Lord of the Sabbath](/mark/2-28 "Mark 2:28 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath"). Ultimately, Jesus Himself is our safe passage, our refuge, and the one who enables us to navigate the storms of life and the judgment to come, fulfilling the promise of [salvation and eternal life](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 16:29

See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.

Acts 1:12

¶ Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.