Why did Jesus tell the Jews to pray their tribulation flight would not be in winter?
Jesus urged them to pray their escape would not occur in winter because the fleeing remnant would be walking long distances while carrying their goods. Cold, harsh winter conditions would make that difficult journey miserable, adding physical suffering to the persecution they were already enduring.
Les explains that Jesus warned the Jews to pray their flight would not be in winter because the escaping remnant would be walking long distances and carrying their goods. He notes that since the Temple had been operating for the first 3 1/2 years, the Jews would be acutely aware of Sabbath law and how far they could walk without breaking it. On the Sabbath, most would not dare walk more than 4,000 feet, not even a mile, so they wouldn't get out of town. That is why Jesus also said to pray their flight would not be on the Sabbath. In winter, the journey would be especially miserable because they would be walking and carrying their belongings. This flight occurs when the Antichrist comes, defiles the Temple, turns on the Jews, and triggers an Exodus.