Matthew 24:16-20

24:16 then those in Judea must flee ¹  to the mountains. 24:17 The one on the roof ²  must not come down ³  to take anything out of his house, 24:18 and the one in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 24:19 Woe ⁴  to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! 24:20 Pray ⁵  that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.

¹ sn Fleeing to the mountains is a key OT image: Gen 19:17; Judg 6:2; Isa 15:5; Jer 16:16; Zech 14:5.

² sn On the roof. Most of the roofs in the NT were flat roofs made of pounded dirt, sometimes mixed with lime or stones, supported by heavy wooden beams. They generally had an easy means of access, either a sturdy wooden ladder or stone stairway, sometimes on the outside of the house.

³ sn The swiftness and devastation of the judgment will require a swift escape. There will be no time to come down from the roof and pick up anything from inside one’s home.

⁴ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

⁵ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.