What does Matthew 24:20 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 24:20 is a verse found in what is commonly referred to as the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus is speaking to his disciples about the end times and the coming tribulations.

The verse reads: "But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:".

In this passage, Jesus is advising his followers to pray that when the time comes to flee from the coming destruction (primarily speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem), it will not happen in winter or on the Sabbath.

There are several reasons why flight in winter or on the Sabbath would be unfavorable.

Winter could make travel difficult due to harsh weather conditions, while the cultural and religious restrictions that apply to the Sabbath would complicate rapid departure as travel was restricted for the Jews during the Sabbath.

At a deeper level, this instruction underscores the severity and urgency of the coming calamity, suggesting that it will be sudden and that escape will be of paramount importance.

Historical Context

Matthew 24 is part of a larger passage that has been interpreted in various ways: as a description of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, as an account of the end times and the return of Christ, or as a dual reference to both events.

In the first century, Jerusalem was under Roman rule, and tensions between the Jewish population and their Roman occupiers were high.

These tensions eventually led to the siege and destruction of the city.

The mention of "neither on the sabbath" reflects Jewish law and customs, which restrict travel and work on the Sabbath.

Therefore, Jesus' instructions consider the practical implications of both the Jewish religious observance and the season when advising his disciples.

Theological Insights

Differing theological viewpoints focus on the eschatological (end times) nature of Jesus' message:

• Preterist Viewpoint: This interpretation insists that Jesus' warnings were primarily about the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in AD 70, a historical event that has already occurred.

Preterists read the Bible with the view that many of the prophecies in the New Testament were fulfilled in the first century.

• Futurist Viewpoint: Futurists argue that the verse references events that will occur in the end times, which have not yet happened.

From this perspective, the counsel to pray concerning the timing of their flight is advice to all believers, related to the tribulation period before the second coming of Christ.

• Historicist and Idealist Viewpoints: Both views take the ongoing relevance of this prophecy into account. The Historicist sees it as a prophecy unfolding through church history, while the Idealist interprets it as representing the continual spiritual struggle of the church against evil.

Practical Applications

The verse can be applied in daily life to stress the importance of:

• Praying for divine guidance during times of crisis.
• The awareness of practical challenges in difficult times.
• The necessity of readiness for unforeseen circumstances.

Moreover, the call for prayer underlines reliance on God's providence and the foresight to consider all aspects of a situation when planning or facing hardship.

Cross-References

• Mark 13:18: "And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter."
• Luke 21:21: "Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto."

Language Study

The key words in this verse are "flight" (φυγή, phygḗ), "winter" (χειμών, cheimṓn), and "sabbath" (σάββατον, sábbaton):

• φυγή (phygḗ) means escape or flight, suggesting imminent danger and the need for quick departure.
• χειμών (cheimṓn) refers to winter, implying a time that could add extra hardship to travel.
• σάββατον (sábbaton) denotes the Sabbath, indicating a day of rest with religious and legal restrictions among the Jews.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Greek mythology and other ancient cultures, the notion of seeking favor from the gods for travel or flight is not uncommon.

However, Jesus' specific reference to praying to avoid flight during winter or the Sabbath is unique to the Jewish cultural and religious context.

The Sabbath itself is also distinctive to Judaism; other ancient religions did not have a strict day of worship and rest that parallels the Jewish Sabbath.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the practical advice to avoid travel during winter is consistent with modern understandings of the challenges posed by such conditions: severe weather, reduced daylight hours, and potential food scarcity.

In terms of human psychology, the emphasis on the unpredictability of crisis moments aligns with the understanding that planning and preparedness can mitigate stress and improve outcomes in emergency situations.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators offer various perspectives on this verse:

• Matthew Henry's Commentary: Suggests that it would be difficult for them to flee on a Sabbath, because then the gates of the cities would be shut, and not opened till the evening.

• John Gill's Exposition of the Bible: Explores the Jewish Sabbath day's journey restrictions, which would have limited fleeing effectively.

• William Barclay's Daily Study Bible: Highlights the sheer practicality of Jesus' advice, understanding the pragmatism in making sure that the disciples were ready for any eventuality.

• The Geneva Study Bible: Notes also conclude that Jesus asks his followers to pray about their flight, because they must commit everything to God, even the success of their escape.