Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 24:20

"And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a sabbath:" — Matthew 24:20 (ASV)

Flight is obviously harder in winter. As for fleeing on the Sabbath, travel would become more difficult because few would help, and many would try to prevent traveling farther than a Sabbath day’s journey. Jesus clearly expects these events to take place while the strict Sabbath law is in effect.