Devine Scripture

Matthew 24:20

What does Matthew 24:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 24:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 24:20 means

Jesus advises His disciples, "And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a sabbath." This counsel reveals a compassionate understanding of human limitations and logistical challenges. Fleeing in winter would involve harsh weather and impassable roads, while fleeing on the Sabbath could encounter closed city gates and religious restrictions from Jewish leaders, hindering escape. This prayer request acknowledges divine providence in easing the harshness of the flight, demonstrating Christ's care even amidst dire prophecies.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And say a prayer that your flight may not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and pray ye that your flight may not be in winter, nor on a sabbath;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But pray that your flight be not in the winter or on the sabbath.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But pray that your flight may not be in winter time nor on sabbath:

Context

Building on the compassionate warning for vulnerable individuals in verse 19, this verse offers practical prayer requests to mitigate the difficulties of the impending flight. It transitions from describing the dire circumstances to seeking divine intervention for favorable timing, thus providing a brief respite before Jesus describes the unprecedented scale of the tribulation that necessitates such prayers.

v.19But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!

v.20This passage

v.21for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 1:12

    Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey off.

  • Exodus 16:29

    See, for that Jehovah 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.

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