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

MARK 13:18KJV
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Mark 13:18 (KJV)

What does Mark 13:18 mean?

Mark 13:18 records Jesus telling his listeners to pray that, when the time comes to flee from danger, it will not happen during the winter. The verse highlights a practical concern about the added hardship and danger that cold weather would bring to an already difficult escape.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples on the Mount of Olives, warning them about coming troubles and the need to be ready to leave quickly. He urges them to pray that their escape will not be made worse by harsh winter conditions, which could make travel slower and more dangerous, especially for the vulnerable. This detail shows Jesus’ awareness of the real, physical challenges his followers might face.

The Greek behind Mark 13:18

  • "προσεύχεσθε" (proseuchesthe, G4336) means "pray" or "keep praying." The form here suggests an ongoing, earnest request, not just a one-time prayer. Jesus is encouraging a continual attitude of dependence on God in the face of coming trouble.
  • "χειμῶνος" (cheimōnos, G5494) means "winter." Mentioning winter specifically draws attention to the practical difficulties—cold, rain, and poor travel conditions—that would make fleeing much harder.

Why Mark 13:18 matters

  • Mark 13:18 shows that Jesus cared about the practical well-being of his followers, not just their spiritual state. He recognizes that physical circumstances can make obedience much more difficult.
  • This verse connects to the larger context of Mark 13, where Jesus describes future hardships and encourages watchfulness and prayer. It reminds readers that prayer is not only for spiritual needs but also for real-life situations.
  • The mention of winter helps clarify that the warnings in this chapter are grounded in everyday realities, not just abstract or symbolic ideas.

Where else these words appear

“flight” Greek G5437 · used in 2 verses

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

“winter” Greek G5494 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
  • Matthew 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
  • Acts 27:20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

“ye” Greek G4336 · used in 82 verses

  • Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
  • Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
  • Acts 20:36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

“that” Greek G3363 · used in 95 verses

  • Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
  • John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
  • Philippians 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.