The command to “flee to the mountains” appears in the Olivet Discourse, Jesus’ prophecy about the destruction of the temple and the end times. It occurs in Matthew 24:16, Mark 13:14, and Luke 21:21.
The setting of this command is Jesus’ prediction of a time of great tribulation that will come upon those living in Judea. When this time of distress comes, Jesus warns those in Judea to flee without delay:
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains (Matthew 24:16, ESV)
But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains (Mark 13:14, ESV)
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it (Luke 21:21, ESV)
The first significance of this command is that it refers historically to the coming destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 by the Romans. Jesus predicted this devastating event and wanted to warn his followers so that they could escape the carnage.
This was fulfilled when the Roman general Titus invaded Judea and laid siege to Jerusalem. The Jewish historian Josephus records the horrors experienced during this siege. Many people tried to flee the city but were caught and crucified in view of the walls. Inside the city there was widespread famine and cannibalism. Over a million Jews were killed in the destruction.
However, the early Christians remembered Jesus’ warning to flee. Church tradition records that the Jewish believers in Jerusalem heeded the warning and fled to the city of Pella in the mountains before the Roman army arrived. Their lives were spared the horrors of the invasion as a result of heeding Jesus’ instruction.
The command to flee is significant because it displays Jesus’ compassion and concern for his followers. He knew the hardship that was coming and wanted to protect and save those who believed in him.
Beyond the immediate historical context, many Bible scholars see this command having an end times application as well. In prophetic literature, the phrase “standing in the holy place” (Matthew 24:15) refers to the defiling of the temple. Many understand this as referring to a still future time when an antichrist figure will defile a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.
The repeated command to flee Judea quickly without delay indicates the urgent need to escape coming judgment. Those who take Jesus’ end times prophecies literally believe there will be a future Tribulation where these words will have added meaning and application. Just as Jesus wanted to spare followers from judgment in AD 70, so this warning prepares future believers for end times judgments.
The location of fleeing to the mountains has symbolic significance. Mountains are places of shelter and refuge in times of danger. Isaiah wrote:
Oh Lord, in distress they sought you, they poured out a prayer when your chastening was on them. Like a woman with child, who writhes and cries out in her pangs, when she is near her time, so were we because of you, O Lord; we were pregnant, we writhed, but we gave birth only to wind. We have won no victories on earth, and no one is born to inhabit the world. Your dead shall live, their corpses shall rise. O dwellers in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a radiant dew, and the earth will give birth to those long dead.
Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the wrath is past. For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain. (Isaiah 26:16-21, ESV)
This depicts people hiding in the mountains while God punishes the world. The mountains are a shelter from danger. So fleeing to the hills represents taking refuge under God’s protection and care when disaster strikes.
Mountains also picture the refuge, rest, and blessing we find in God’s presence. The psalmist wrote:
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2, ESV)
Therefore, fleeing to the mountains symbolizes believers finding divine protection and care when times of tribulation come on the earth.
Key Points on Fleeing to the Mountains
In summary, here are some key points on the significance of Jesus’ command to flee to the mountains:
- It refers historically to the coming destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
- Jesus wanted to warn and protect his followers from the coming devastation.
- Church history records early Jewish Christians fleeing to the mountains before Rome’s invasion, protecting their lives.
- It displays Jesus’ compassionate care for his followers in times of danger.
- Many see an end times application as well, referring to a still future “abomination of desolation” event.
- It will prepare future believers to escape end times judgments.
- The mountains represent taking refuge under God’s care and presence during times of disaster and judgment.
In all, this command reflects Jesus’ love and concern for his people in times of tribulation. It offers hope that God will provide protection, refuge and salvation to believers who trust and obey him when disaster comes.
Though times of trouble will come, Jesus’ words offer reassurance that God cares for his people and will safely preserve them. God offers refuge and salvation to all who trust in him.
