Step of the model

Urgent flight of those in Judea

**Artist’s impression** Detail: a family leaves Jerusalem guided by angels, a figure of the Christians fleeing the city. Artist’s impression by Wilhelm von Kaulbach (1846). — Wilhelm von Kaulbach (Neue Pinakothek, Munich); photo Mattes, Wikimedia Commons · Domaine public

Historical landmark: 30–70

See the full entry: sources, objections, answers

In short

The announcement. Jesus, in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, orders those in Judea to flee at once to the mountains, without going back home to take anything, and to pray that it does not happen in winter or on a Sabbath.

What happened. An ancient historical tradition reports that Christians fled to the town of Pella during the war that ended in 70. This account comes from history, not from the Bible.

What is still debated. the flight to Pella rests on an ancient tradition, and the story of a Gospel manuscript found in a refugee cave is not confirmed by any archaeological discovery.

Main objection (in French for now)

Ne pas affirmer comme fait qu’un manuscrit d’Évangile aurait été trouvé dans une grotte de réfugiés : aucune source archéologique primaire confirmée ne l’établit.

The text (World English Bible)

then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out the things that are in his house. Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are with child and to nursing mothers in those days! Pray that your flight will not be in the winter nor on a Sabbath,
Matt 24:16-20