Where would the nearest mountains of safety be for those fleeing Judea?

They would flee to the mountains to the southeast of Judea. Some suggest the red rock city of Petra as the place of refuge, though the exact location is left unspecified. Jesus commands flight when the abomination foretold by Daniel occurs, emphasizing urgent escape from Jerusalem and Judea.

Les explains that Matthew 24:16 follows the warning about the abomination foretold by Daniel. When the Antichrist defiles the temple, turns on the Jew, and takes away freedom of worship at the midpoint of tribulation, a remnant of Israel will flee from Jerusalem and Judea. The nearest mountains for safety, he says, would be down to the southeast. Some people think the refuge will be the red rock city of Petra, but he leaves that detail open, stressing the command to flee rather than stay.

Matthew 24:16

Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

What did Jesus tell people in Judea to do when they see the abomination of desolation?

Jesus instructed those in Judea that when they see the abomination foretold by Daniel the prophet, they must flee to the mountains. The nearest mountains for safety are thought to be southeast, with some suggesting the red rock city of Petra as the place of refuge.