Luke 17:26

KJV

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} as {G2531} it was {G1096} in {G1722} the days {G2250} of Noe {G3575}, so {G3779} shall it be {G2071} also {G2532} in {G1722} the days {G2250} of the Son {G5207} of man {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“Also, at the time of the Son of Man, it will be just as it was at the time of Noach.

Berean Standard Bible

Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man:

American Standard Version

And as it came to pass in the days of Noah, even so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 17:26 serves as a profound warning from Jesus, drawing a direct and sobering parallel between the conditions that prevailed in the world before the great flood in Noah's time and the state of humanity immediately preceding His own return, referred to as "the days of the Son of man." This comparison underscores the unexpected and sudden nature of divine judgment, highlighting humanity's prevailing complacency and preoccupation with ordinary life, oblivious to the imminent intervention of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a significant eschatological discourse by Jesus, spanning [Luke 17:20-37](/luke/17-20-37 "Luke 17:20-37 - The Coming of the Kingdom of God and the Son of Man"). Jesus is addressing questions about the coming of the Kingdom of God, clarifying that its arrival will not be with observable signs that can be pointed to. Instead, His return will be a sudden, undeniable event, likened to lightning flashing across the sky from one end of heaven to the other, as stated in [Luke 17:24](/luke/17-24 "Luke 17:24 - The Suddenness of the Son of Man's Coming"). The comparison to Noah's day is immediately followed by a similar parallel to Lot's day in [Luke 17:28](/luke/17-28 "Luke 17:28 - The Parallel to Lot's Day"), both serving to emphasize the normalcy of daily life and the widespread unawareness that will characterize the period just before divine judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For Jesus' Jewish audience, the narrative of Noah and the Great Flood, detailed in [Genesis 6-9](/genesis/6-9 "Genesis 6-9 - The Account of Noah and the Flood"), was a foundational story. It represented a historical precedent of global divine judgment upon a wicked and complacent humanity. The "days of Noe" (Noah) would immediately evoke images of a world engrossed in its own affairs—eating, drinking, marrying—unaware of the catastrophic judgment that was about to be unleashed. This cultural understanding provided a powerful framework for Jesus' warning, grounding His future prophecy in a well-known past event of divine intervention and human unpreparedness.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 17:26 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Jesus' teaching on the end times. Primarily, it highlights the **Suddenness of Christ's Return**, emphasizing that the Son of Man's coming will catch many off guard, just as the flood surprised those in Noah's time who were consumed by ordinary activities. This leads directly to the theme of **Complacency and Unawareness**, portraying a world preoccupied with temporal matters rather than spiritual preparedness, mirroring the state of humanity before the flood (cf. [Matthew 24:38-39](/matthew/24-38-39 "Matthew 24:38-39 - As in the Days of Noah")). Implicitly, the verse also underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment**, recalling God's past righteous judgment on sin and foreshadowing a future, ultimate judgment at the Son of Man's return. While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader discourse, including this warning, serves as a **Call to Vigilance** for believers, urging them to live in constant spiritual readiness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **was (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb, G1096, signifies "to come into being," "to happen," or "to become." In this context, it emphasizes the actual occurrence and prevailing conditions of a past era. Jesus is not speaking hypothetically but referencing a historical reality – "as it actually came to pass" or "as things were happening" in Noah's time. This grounds the comparison in a tangible past event, reinforcing the certainty of the future parallel.
* **days (Greek, _hēméra'_):** The noun G2250 refers to a "day" in its literal sense (24 hours) but also, as used here, figuratively denotes a "period" or "age." The phrase "in the days of Noe" therefore refers not just to specific 24-hour periods but to the entire epoch or era leading up to the flood, characterized by certain prevailing conditions. Similarly, "the days of the Son of man" refers to the specific, yet undefined, period immediately preceding and encompassing His return, marked by analogous characteristics.
* **Son of man (Greek, _huiós tou anthrōpou'_):** This composite phrase (G5207, G444) is Jesus' most frequent self-designation, emphasizing both His true humanity and His unique, divinely appointed role as the Messiah, particularly in judgment and future glory. Originating from [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - Prophecy of the Son of Man"), the title imbues the one who comes with ultimate authority and sovereignty, highlighting the majesty and cosmic significance of His return.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as it was in the days of Noe,"**: This clause establishes the historical precedent. Jesus points to the period leading up to the Great Flood, a time described in Genesis as one of widespread wickedness and human preoccupation with earthly affairs. The emphasis is on the prevailing conditions and the general state of human existence during that era, characterized by a lack of awareness or concern regarding impending divine judgment. Life was proceeding "as usual" for the vast majority, despite Noah's righteous warnings.
* **"so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man."**: This clause draws the direct, prophetic parallel. Jesus declares that the future period immediately preceding His return will mirror the conditions of Noah's day. Just as the flood came unexpectedly upon a complacent world, so too will the return of the Son of Man. This implies a time when humanity will be engrossed in daily routines, seemingly oblivious to the spiritual realities and the imminence of Christ's second coming, leading to a sudden and surprising divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Luke 17:26 is **Analogy** or **Comparison**. Jesus draws a direct, explicit parallel between two distinct historical-eschatological periods: the time leading up to Noah's flood and the time preceding His own second coming. This comparison is not merely illustrative but serves as a prophetic warning, suggesting that the patterns of human behavior and divine intervention observed in the past will be replicated in the future. Closely related is **Foreshadowing**, where the historical event of the flood serves as a predictive type or shadow of the future judgment. The "days of Noe" function as a **Symbol** of widespread spiritual complacency, human self-absorption, and the unexpected nature of divine judgment. The narrative of Noah is invoked to evoke a rich set of associations—unheeded warnings, a world caught unawares, and the ultimate, cataclysmic intervention of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 17:26 profoundly connects the past act of divine judgment in the Noahic flood to the future, ultimate judgment at the return of the Son of Man. Theologically, it underscores God's consistent character as both patient and just. While God patiently waited in Noah's day, His patience eventually gave way to righteous judgment. Similarly, in the "days of the Son of man," a period of grace and opportunity will culminate in a decisive reckoning. The verse highlights humanity's persistent tendency towards spiritual blindness and complacency, even in the face of impending divine intervention. It implicitly calls for a reordering of priorities, urging believers to live with an acute awareness of eternity and the Lord's imminent return, rather than being solely consumed by the temporal affairs of this world. This echoes the broader biblical emphasis on vigilance and readiness for the Lord's coming.

* [Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "Genesis 6:5-7 - The Wickedness of Man Before the Flood")
* [Matthew 24:37-39](/matthew/24-37-39 "Matthew 24:37-39 - The Days of Noah and the Coming of the Son of Man")
* [2 Peter 3:3-7](/2_peter/3-3-7 "2 Peter 3:3-7 - Scoffers and the Certainty of God's Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 17:26 serves as a powerful and timeless call to spiritual vigilance for every believer. It challenges us to honestly assess our daily lives and priorities: Are we living with a conscious awareness of Christ's potential return, or are we, like those in Noah's day, so engrossed in the routines and pursuits of this world that we risk being caught unprepared? The verse does not advocate for withdrawal from society but for a transformed perspective within it—one that prioritizes spiritual readiness, obedience to God's commands, and an active anticipation of His coming. Just as Noah, by faith, built an ark in a world that scoffed, we are called to live righteously and faithfully, even when the world around us remains indifferent or hostile to the truths of God's Word and the reality of His coming judgment. This means cultivating a deep relationship with Christ, living by His Spirit, and being ready to meet Him at any moment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be living complacently, similar to those in Noah's day, and how can I cultivate greater spiritual vigilance?**
* **What specific priorities in my life need to be re-evaluated in light of the imminent return of the Son of Man?**
* **How does my daily walk reflect a genuine expectation of Christ's return, and what practical steps can I take to live more prepared?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "the days of Noe" and "the days of the Son of man"?**

Answer: By "the days of Noe" (Noah), Jesus refers to the historical period leading up to the Great Flood, as described in [Genesis 6-9](/genesis/6-9 "Genesis 6-9 - The Account of Noah and the Flood"). This era was characterized by widespread human wickedness, but also by a pervasive sense of normalcy and complacency, where people were engrossed in everyday activities like eating, drinking, and marrying, oblivious to the impending divine judgment. They were unprepared when the flood suddenly came. By "the days of the Son of man," Jesus is referring to the period immediately preceding and encompassing His Second Coming. He prophesies that this future time will strikingly mirror Noah's era: life will continue as usual, people will be preoccupied with worldly affairs, and the majority will be spiritually unaware and unprepared for His sudden, decisive return as Judge and King. The parallel serves as a stark warning about the unexpected nature of divine intervention.

**Does this verse imply a specific timeline or signs for Jesus' return?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. Luke 17:26, along with the broader discourse in [Luke 17:20-37](/luke/17-20-37 "Luke 17:20-37 - The Coming of the Kingdom of God and the Son of Man"), emphasizes the *unpredictable* and *sudden* nature of Jesus' return. Just as the flood came without specific prior signs that would alert the complacent masses, so too will the Son of Man's coming be sudden and unmistakable, "like the lightning that flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other" ([Luke 17:24](/luke/17-24 "Luke 17:24 - The Suddenness of the Son of Man's Coming")). The point is not to look for specific signs to calculate the timing, but to live in constant readiness, as the exact hour remains unknown ([Matthew 24:36](/matthew/24-36 "Matthew 24:36 - No One Knows the Day or Hour")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 17:26, while a warning of impending judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not only in Jesus as the returning Judge but also as the ultimate Ark of salvation. In Noah's day, the ark provided the sole means of escape from God's righteous judgment upon a sinful world. Similarly, in "the days of the Son of man," Jesus Christ Himself is the only refuge from the coming wrath. He is the one through whom all judgment will be executed, for the Father "has given him authority to execute judgment because he is the Son of Man" ([John 5:27](/john/5-27 "John 5:27 - Jesus, the Son of Man, as Judge")). Yet, He is also the one who, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, offers a way of escape for all who believe, providing forgiveness of sins and eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Thus, the warning to be prepared for His return is simultaneously an invitation to enter into a saving relationship with Him now, finding refuge in the "ark" of His grace before the "flood" of final judgment comes upon a world still engrossed in its own affairs. His return will be a day of judgment for the unrepentant, but a glorious day of vindication and redemption for those who have trusted in Him ([Titus 2:13](/titus/2-13 "Titus 2:13 - The Blessed Hope and Appearing of Jesus Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 24:37

But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 24:39

And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Genesis 7:7

And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.

Genesis 7:23

And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained [alive], and they that [were] with him in the ark.

Luke 17:24

For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one [part] under heaven, shineth unto the other [part] under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

2 Peter 2:5

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

1 Peter 3:19

By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;