Matthew 24:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.

NIV: Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.

NASB: Moreover, pray that when you flee, it will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath.

CSB: Pray that your escape may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.

NLT: And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath.

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

NKJV: And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.

When the sign predicted by Daniel (Matthew 24:15) finally happens, those in Jerusalem should run for their lives (Matthew 24:16–19). He has spoken urgently, saying that those on their rooftops should not go back into their homes for supplies and those in the fields should not go back for their cloaks. They should simply run—just get away. Later, Jesus will comment that the danger triggered by this event will be enough to threaten the entire human race (Matthew 24:21–22).

Christ added a note of sadness for the vulnerable people who will be caught up in those days. Keeping with that theme, He commands His disciples to pray that they won't have to try to make the journey in winter or on a Sabbath day. Winter, of course, would make travel more difficult generally, especially by causing river- and creek-beds to be swollen with water and tough to cross. On a Sabbath day, it would be hard to find help along the way from faithful Jews. It would also make large groups of Jewish people who would normally be avoiding activity easier to spot.

Some Bible teachers point to the events of the attempted Jewish rebellion against Rome in AD 70 as the full or partial fulfillment of Jesus' words here. That rebellion led to a terrible siege and the eventual destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Many Jewish people did run from Jerusalem for their lives, and many were slaughtered in the attempt. However, the temple was ruined at the end of that war, not the beginning of it. Jesus' words seem a better fit for the very last days prior to His second coming (Revelation 19:11–15).

Matthew 24:15–28 begins with a warning to all in Jerusalem to flee to the mountains when the abomination that will bring desolation to the temple stands in the holy place. This will be a terrible time, especially for those who are particularly vulnerable. That tribulation will be worse than anything ever, though another tribulation will come right before Jesus' return. It will be cut short to save some of humanity and for the sake of the elect, all those who truly believe in Christ. When He returns, everyone will know.

Jesus makes a dire prediction about the destruction of the temple. Immediately after this, while seated on the Mount of Olives, Jesus responds to a question from the disciples. They ask when judgment will come and what signs will signal His return. Christ describes a season of unimaginable world turmoil and persecution. He points to a specific moment of defilement of the temple, at which point people should run for their lives. Jesus speaks of world-threatening tribulation which will be cut short right before He returns as King and Judge. Since nobody can possibly know when He will return, His followers must live in readiness.

Jesus has just left the temple area, after delivering a blistering criticism of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23). After predicting that the temple would be destroyed, He answers their questions about the end times. He speaks of a period when He will be gone from earth and they will be persecuted and killed. The world will be in turmoil, but the gospel will be preached everywhere. Nobody knows exactly when Jesus' return will be completed, so his followers should constantly be prepared. Jesus continues to teach on these themes in the next chapter.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.