Mark 13 18

Mark 13:18 kjv

And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

Mark 13:18 nkjv

And pray that your flight may not be in winter.

Mark 13:18 niv

Pray that this will not take place in winter,

Mark 13:18 esv

Pray that it may not happen in winter.

Mark 13:18 nlt

And pray that your flight will not be in winter.

Mark 13 verses

Mark 13 18 Meaning

Mark 13:18 directs disciples to earnestly pray that their forced exodus and escape from the prophesied great tribulation should not occur during the winter season. This instruction reflects Jesus' deep concern for the immense practical difficulties and added suffering that harsh winter conditions – characterized by extreme cold, heavy rains, muddy terrain, flooded watercourses, and shorter daylight hours – would impose on those undertaking a sudden, urgent flight from the Judean region.

Mark 13 18 Context

Mark chapter 13, known as the "Olivet Discourse," presents Jesus' crucial prophetic teachings given in response to His disciples' questions about the timing of the Temple's destruction and the signs preceding His second coming. Specifically, following His prediction of the magnificent Temple's complete dismantling (Mk 13:1-2), the disciples inquire directly about "when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?" (Mk 13:4). Jesus' discourse blends warnings about deceptions and persecutions with detailed prophecies concerning Jerusalem's downfall in 70 AD and events marking the end times. Verse 18 directly follows the command to flee Judea with utmost urgency once the "abomination of desolation" is seen (Mk 13:14). It underscores Jesus' compassionate and practical counsel for His followers facing this period of unparalleled distress, focusing on tangible difficulties of a swift escape.

Mark 13 18 Word analysis

• And pray ye: (καὶ προσεύχεσθε – kai proseuchesthe)
  • kai: "And," serving as a simple connector, indicating that this instruction is a direct continuation and component of the preceding dire warnings and urgent commands regarding flight. It signals a further vital action to be taken by the disciples.
  • proseuchesthe: "pray ye" (from proseuchomai, προσεύχομαι). This verb is in the present imperative, signifying a continuous, ongoing, or habitual command rather than a single instance of prayer. It is a direct and strong call to prayer, underscoring human reliance on divine intervention and foresight, even for very practical and physical matters related to impending hardship. This isn't merely a suggestion but an emphatic spiritual discipline to be employed.
• that your flight: (ἵνα μὴ γένηται ἡ φυγὴ ὑμῶν – hina mē genētai hē phygē hymōn)
  • hina mē: "that not," introduces a negative purpose clause. The purpose of their prayer is to prevent a certain undesirable outcome regarding their flight. It highlights that God's will is influenced by the prayers of His people concerning practical realities.
  • hē phygē: "the flight" (from phygē, φυγή). This noun refers to the act of fleeing, escape, or a sudden, desperate dispersion to evade danger. It vividly portrays a panicked and urgent exodus, emphasizing the gravity and suddenness of the required action. It is "their" flight (hymōn), personalizing the prophetic warning.
• be not in the winter: (μὴ ἐν χειμῶνι – mē en cheimōni)
  • mē: "not," directly negating the timing, specifying what the prayer aims to prevent.
  • en cheimōni: "in the winter" (from cheimōn, χειμών). While cheimōn primarily means "winter" (the season), it can also signify a "storm," "tempest," or "foul weather" in general, extending to severe environmental hardship beyond just cold temperatures (e.g., as in a severe storm at sea). In the context of fleeing, this practical advice points to myriad difficulties:
    • Practical Hurdles: The cold, relentless rain, strong winds, and potential for snow in the Judean hills.
    • Terrain Issues: Roads becoming impassable due to deep mud or flooding wadis (seasonal riverbeds). Paths become treacherous and slippery.
    • Reduced Visibility & Daylight: Shorter days and often overcast skies would limit the time for safe travel, increasing dangers and slowing progress.
    • Exposure & Resources: Increased risk of illness due to exposure, and scarcity of temporary shelter or food during a rushed, chaotic flight. This also makes pursuers more easily evaded in milder weather.
    This reveals Jesus' deep practical empathy for the physical challenges His followers would face.
• Words-group: "And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter."
  • This phrase collectively stresses the urgency and the compassionate nature of Jesus' prophecy. It's a command to prayer not for spiritual prosperity alone, but for the tangible ease and safety of a physical escape. It shows that God cares for the practicalities and challenges of His people's lives, even amid prophecy of catastrophic events. The instruction demonstrates the possibility for believers to mitigate severe earthly hardships through fervent and targeted prayer, influencing circumstances governed by divine providence. It encourages active engagement with the divine plan through prayer, rather than passive acceptance.

Mark 13 18 Bonus section

While Mark's account emphasizes the practical hardships of winter, Matthew's parallel passage (Mt 24:20) additionally mentions "neither on the sabbath day," which would primarily affect a Jewish audience accustomed to travel restrictions. Mark's omission of the Sabbath constraint could be interpreted as a focus on more universally relatable and physically arduous circumstances for a broader, possibly more Gentile, audience. However, the core message remains: the flight must be executed with extreme urgency and at great personal cost, making any impediment – whether practical (winter) or traditional (Sabbath) – a significant, and prayer-worthy, obstacle to swift escape. This detail underscores that while believers are commanded to flee, the nature and timing of their flight are also subject to prayer and God's benevolent intervention. It showcases Jesus' holistic concern for both the spiritual and physical well-being of His disciples, providing not just warnings but also pragmatic advice and a means of mitigation through prayer.

Mark 13 18 Commentary

Mark 13:18 serves as a poignant illustration of Jesus' divine foresight blended with profound human empathy. While detailing cataclysmic future events and the imperative to flee Jerusalem during the coming tribulation, Jesus provides practical, specific advice: His disciples are to pray against their flight occurring in winter. This seemingly minor detail highlights major implications. Fleeing on foot in winter in Judea would entail navigating freezing temperatures, incessant rain, deep mud, flooded wadis, limited daylight, and heightened exposure to illness, significantly increasing the peril and suffering. This direct instruction to pray reveals that God's prophetic plan for tribulation is not devoid of concern for human suffering. It assures believers that targeted, fervent prayer has tangible effects, even on natural circumstances. Jesus invites His followers to participate actively in shaping their circumstances by appealing to God's mercy and sovereignty over time and seasons, softening the otherwise harsh realities of an unavoidable future trial.