King James Version

What Does Mark 13:18 Mean?

Mark 13:18 in the King James Version says “And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Mark 13:18 · KJV

Prayer

Context

16

And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

17

But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

18

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

19

For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

20

And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Pray ye that your flight be not in the winter—Palestinian winter (November-March) brings cold, rain, flooding wadis (dry riverbeds), swollen Jordan River, muddy roads. Travel becomes treacherous, especially fleeing through mountainous Judean wilderness. The Greek proseuchesthe (προσεύχεσθε, 'pray ye') commands intercession that flight occurs during favorable conditions.

This teaches: (1) Prayer affects circumstances—God sovereignly ordains ends and means; petitioning God for favorable timing aligns with His will. (2) Practical wisdom matters—faith doesn't mean ignoring physical realities; fleeing in winter adds suffering. (3) God cares about details—not just spiritual but physical circumstances concern Him. This isn't fatalism ('whatever will be') but prayerful dependence ('Lord, grant mercy'). Christians pray for circumstances while trusting God's sovereignty—intercession honors both divine control and human responsibility.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judean geography made winter flight difficult. Jerusalem sits 2,500 feet elevation; Pella (where Christians fled) lies in Transjordan, requiring crossing wilderness, descending to Jordan Valley, ascending eastern plateau. Winter rains flooded wadis, creating flash floods. Jordan River swelled, crossings dangerous. Roads became muddy quagmires. Cold temperatures threatened exposure, especially for families with children (v. 17). Fleeing in dry season (April-October) meant passable roads, fordable streams, survivable temperatures. Eusebius records Christians fled before final siege (AD 70), suggesting favorable timing. Prayer and providential timing converged. Throughout church history, believers prayed for divine timing—escaping persecutions, missionary journeys, providential circumstances. God answers such prayers, demonstrating sovereignty over historical details.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does commanding prayer for favorable flight conditions teach about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How does this verse balance faith (trusting God) and wisdom (recognizing physical realities like winter's difficulty)?
  3. What circumstances should Christians pray about today—how does God care about both spiritual and practical details of His people's lives?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 9 words
προσεύχεσθε1 of 9

“pray ye”

G4336

to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship

δὲ2 of 9

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἵνα3 of 9
G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

μὴ4 of 9
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

γένηται5 of 9

“be”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἠ6 of 9
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φυγὴ7 of 9

“flight”

G5437

a fleeing, i.e., escape

ὑμῶν8 of 9

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

χειμῶνος·9 of 9

“in the winter”

G5494

akin to the base of 5490 through the idea of a channel), meaning a storm (as pouring rain); by implication, the rainy season, i.e., winter

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 13:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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