Yes—Jesus told the Jews to pray that their escape would not be on the Sabbath because, being back under the Law, Sabbath travel limits would keep them from getting out of Jerusalem.
The flight from Jerusalem will require the Jewish people to walk many miles, and under the Law they could only travel a very short distance on the Sabbath. Les Feldick explains that if the escape fell on the Sabbath, obeying the Law would make it impossible to leave, so Jesus instructed them to pray it would not happen then.
Matthew 24:20 — This is the verse in which Jesus directly tells Jews to pray the flight not happen on the Sabbath.
Matthew 24:16 — This gives the command to flee into the mountains, which is the escape to which the Sabbath prayer refers.
Matthew 24:19 — This shows the difficulties of the flight for pregnant and nursing mothers, part of why urgent travel matters.
Matthew 24:16-20 gives Jesus’ warning to those in Judea: "Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:" The Bible itself connects the command to flee with a prayer about timing: the escape must not be in winter, and it must not be on the Sabbath. It also reflects the urgency of the departure—no time to go back to the house for possessions—and highlights the additional hardship for those who are pregnant or nursing. No further reason for the Sabbath prayer is given in the immediate text.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus’ Sabbath warning proves the Jews will be back under the Law during the Tribulation, with the temple operating and Sabbath observance in force (Clips 1, 5, 6). He explains that under the Law a person could only walk a very short distance on the Sabbath—Les mentions about half a mile in one clip and no more than 4,000 feet (not even a mile) in another—so if the escape fell on the Sabbath, the people would not even get out of town without breaking the Law (Clips 2, 4). Les also connects this to present-day Israel, saying there is a bill in the Knesset to reestablish the Sabbath that had not passed because secular opposition was still strong (Clips 2, 5). He describes the remnant fleeing on foot, not by trucks or helicopters, from Judea toward the mountains, possibly to the southeast near Petra, with every segment of society represented—older people, working people, pregnant women, and nursing mothers (Clips 1, 3, 5, 6, 7).
Les Feldick points to specific limits in different teachings. In one clip he says the law would mean a person cannot walk over "about what? A half a mile." In another he says that on the Sabbath "most of you won't even dare walk more than 4,000 feet or something like that—not even a mile." Either way, that distance would not get the escapees out of Jerusalem, and Jesus' instruction to pray shows how seriously the Law would affect the escape.
Les teaches that Jesus' words "nor on the Sabbath day" are an indication that the Jew will be back under the Law. He explains that since the temple has been operating for the first 3 1/2 years, the Jews will be aware of the Sabbath Law and how far they can walk without breaking it. He also notes that modern Israel is getting closer to this situation, citing a Knesset bill to reestablish the Sabbath that had not yet passed because the secular side was still too strong.
Jesus told the Jews to pray the flight would not be in winter either. Les explains that winter would mean cold, snow, rain, and ice, and Dr. Bellamy pointed out that the Jordan River is at flood in the late winter/spring. The escape will be on foot, and Jesus' own words show there is no time to go back for clothes or possessions. The remnant includes a cross-section of society—older retired people, the working class, pregnant women, and nursing mothers—so the difficulty of a long walk is increased.
The Temple Defiled and the Command to Flee
Les sets the scene for Jesus' command to flee: the Antichrist defiles a rebuilt temple, and those in Judea are told to escape to the mountains—this is the flight the Sabbath prayer refers to.
The Law Limits Sabbath Walking
Les explains that Jesus' instruction to pray the flight not occur on the Sabbath proves the Jews will be back under the Law, because the Law limited how far they could walk and would prevent their escape.
Reinstituting Sabbath Restrictions
Les points to a Knesset bill that would shut everything down on the Sabbath, limiting walking to about half a mile—so an escape taking several miles would be impossible without breaking the Law.
Walking, Not Riding
Les emphasizes the remnant will walk rather than be rescued by trucks or helicopters, which makes the Sabbath walking limit a real problem; he also notes winter brings Jordan River flooding.
Less Than a Mile Would Keep Them in Town
Les says under the reinstituted Sabbath Law most Jews would not dare walk more than about 4,000 feet—not even a mile—so they would not get out of town if the flight fell on the Sabbath.
Back Under the Law and the Sabbath Bill
Les connects Jesus' words to Israel being back under the Law and notes the Knesset bill to reestablish the Sabbath, which has not passed due to strong secular opposition; the verse also includes pregnant and nursing mothers.
Awareness of Sabbath Law in the Temple's First Half
Because the temple will be operating for the first 3 1/2 years, Les says Jews will be aware of Sabbath Law and how far they can walk without breaking it—explaining why the prayer is needed.
Urgency of the Escape and the Cross-Section
Les shows the escape is immediate—don't go back into the house—and involves every segment of society, which makes the timing of the flight on a Sabbath especially problematic.
Matthew 24:16: Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Jesus commands those in Judea to begin the escape, which is the flight the Sabbath prayer is about.
Matthew 24:17: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Shows the departure is so urgent that no one should go back inside for belongings.
Matthew 24:18: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Reinforces the urgency: even a worker in the field should not return for clothing.
Matthew 24:19: And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Identifies pregnant and nursing mothers among those who must flee, who would be especially burdened on a long walk.
Matthew 24:20: But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
This is the key verse—Jesus directly tells the Jews to pray the escape avoids winter and the Sabbath.
Les says Jesus' Sabbath warning is an indication that the Jews will be back under the Law. He ties this to the temple being rebuilt and operating for the first 3 1/2 years, and he notes that a Knesset bill to reestablish the Sabbath was already being considered.
Les mentions two figures: about half a mile, and more than 4,000 feet—'not even a mile.' Under either measure, the escapees would not get out of Jerusalem if the flight began on the Sabbath.
Les says winter would expose the walking remnant to cold, snow, rain, and ice. He also references Dr. Bellamy's point that the Jordan River is at flood during the late winter and spring, making the route even harder.
Watch the Teaching: The Abomination of Desolation: Why Israel Must Flee (Matthew 24)