Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 20

 The Abomination of Desolation

Matthew 24:20 “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:”

But pray ye... Pray that the invasion will not take place in winter as it would be difficult to flee without preparation at this time; nor on the sabbath, because orthodox Jews hold it unlawful to travel more than a mile on that day (Acts 1:12), so would be overtaken by the invaders. When days are short, and unfit for long journeys. And roads are bad, and sometimes not passable, through large snows, or floods of water; and when to dwell in desert places, and lodge in mountains, would be very uncomfortable.

Therefore, Christ directs to pray to God, who has the disposal of all events, and of the timing of them, that he would so order things in the course of his providence, that their flight might not be in such a season of the year, when traveling would be very difficult and troublesome.

neither on the... For the Jews thought it unlawful to walk above two thousand paces (one mile) on the Sabbath day.

So far we have found the leading ideas to be simple and practical, and all connected with the destruction of Jerusalem.

1. Do not expect that event too early; for you must pass through many trials and do much work before it.

2. As soon as you shall see the sign I give you, expect it immediately, and lose no time in making your escape from the horrors of these awful days.

Ever, the winter’s cold must be faced, if life were to be saved; and the flight must be farther than could be covered on a Sabbath day, that is, according to Jewish law, no more than a mile.

He encouraged people to pray that their escape would not have to be in the winter when it would be difficult or on the Sabbath when travel would be limited.