Luke 17:28

KJV

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

KJV (with Strong's)

Likewise {G3668} also {G2532} as {G5613} it was {G1096} in {G1722} the days {G2250} of Lot {G3091}; they did eat {G2068}, they drank {G4095}, they bought {G59}, they sold {G4453}, they planted {G5452}, they builded {G3618};

Complete Jewish Bible

Likewise, as it was in the time of Lot — people ate and drank, bought and sold, planted and built;

Berean Standard Bible

It was the same in the days of Lot: People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building.

American Standard Version

Likewise even as it came to pass in the days of Lot; they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Jesus continues His discourse on the unexpected nature of His second coming, drawing a vivid parallel to the "days of Lot" preceding the destruction of Sodom. He describes a populace engrossed in the ordinary rhythms of daily life—eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, and building—unaware and unprepared for the sudden, catastrophic divine judgment that was about to befall them. This serves as a potent warning that mundane preoccupations can blind humanity to spiritual realities and the urgency of readiness for the Son of Man's revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of Jesus' extended teaching to His disciples regarding the coming of the Son of Man, which spans [Luke 17:20-37](/luke/17-20-37 "Luke 17:20-37 - The Coming of the Kingdom and the Son of Man"). Jesus begins by correcting misconceptions about the immediate, visible arrival of God's kingdom, asserting that it is "within" or "among" them ([Luke 17:20-21](/luke/17-20-21 "Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God is Within You")). He then shifts to a prophetic warning about His future, sudden return, emphasizing that it will be as unmistakable and swift as lightning ([Luke 17:24](/luke/17-24 "Luke 17:24 - The Son of Man's Coming")). To underscore the element of surprise and the world's unpreparedness, He offers two historical analogies: first, the "days of Noah" ([Luke 17:26-27](/luke/17-26-27 "Luke 17:26-27 - The Days of Noah")), where people were absorbed in daily life before the Flood, and second, the "days of Lot" in [Luke 17:28-29](/luke/17-28-29 "Luke 17:28-29 - The Days of Lot"), where similar mundane activities preceded the fiery destruction of Sodom. Both analogies highlight a world oblivious to impending divine judgment, leading to the climactic statement about the revelation of the Son of Man ([Luke 17:30](/luke/17-30 "Luke 17:30 - The Revelation of the Son of Man")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The story of Lot and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah was a foundational narrative in Jewish memory, found in [Genesis 18-19](/genesis/18-19 "Genesis 18-19 - The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"). Sodom was known for its great wickedness and moral depravity, despite its apparent prosperity and fertile land. The destruction by fire and brimstone, a cataclysmic event, served as a powerful testament to God's righteous judgment against sin. Jesus' audience would have been intimately familiar with this account, understanding it as a historical precedent for divine intervention and judgment. The mention of "eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building" describes the typical, seemingly innocuous activities of a thriving, settled society. The cultural context implies that while these actions are not inherently sinful, their all-consuming nature, coupled with the moral decay of Sodom, led to a spiritual blindness that rendered the inhabitants unprepared for the sudden, inescapable judgment. Jesus uses this well-known historical event to illustrate a timeless principle about the dangers of worldly absorption.

* **Key Themes:** The primary themes in this passage revolve around **Divine Judgment and Eschatology**. Jesus' discourse is fundamentally about the end times and His future return, emphasizing its unexpected and decisive nature. The "days of Lot" analogy reinforces the theme of **Suddenness of Judgment**, demonstrating that God's intervention can occur amidst apparent normalcy, catching the unready by surprise. This connects directly to the broader New Testament teaching on vigilance and preparedness for Christ's return, as seen in [Matthew 24:42-44](/matthew/24-42-44 "Matthew 24:42-44 - Be Ready for the Son of Man"). Another crucial theme is **Worldly Preoccupation vs. Spiritual Readiness**. The repeated list of mundane activities highlights how people can become so engrossed in the affairs of this life—sustenance, commerce, agriculture, and construction—that they neglect spiritual awareness and fail to discern the signs of the times or the urgency of God's call. This detachment from eternal realities ultimately leads to catastrophic consequences when judgment arrives. The narrative also serves as a **Historical Warning**, using past divine actions as a prophetic template for future events, urging contemporary listeners to learn from the past to avoid repeating the same fatal errors.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **was (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb, G1096, means "to cause to be," or reflexively, "to become" or "come into being." In this context, it describes the state of affairs or the prevailing conditions "in the days of Lot." It conveys the ongoing reality of how life was lived, emphasizing the continuous and pervasive nature of the activities Jesus lists. It's not about isolated incidents but the very fabric of daily existence.
* **days (Greek, _hēméra'_):** G2250 refers to a "day" as a time space, but also figuratively, a "period." Here, "the days of Lot" signifies a specific historical epoch, a defined period characterized by certain prevailing conditions and events. It frames the historical analogy, pointing to a particular era when the described activities were the norm, leading up to a pivotal moment of divine judgment.
* **builded (Greek, _oikodoméō'_):** G3618 literally means "to be a house-builder" or "to construct." Figuratively, it can mean "to confirm" or "edify." In this verse, it represents the act of construction and settlement, symbolizing long-term planning, establishment, and investment in earthly life. This, along with planting, buying, and selling, illustrates a people deeply rooted in material and temporal pursuits, planning for a future that would never come for them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot;":** Jesus introduces the second historical parallel to the "days of Noah," using the adverb "likewise" (homoíōs) to signal a similar pattern of events and human behavior. The phrase "as it was in the days of Lot" immediately brings to mind the well-known narrative of Sodom and Gomorrah, setting the stage for a comparison that highlights the sudden and destructive nature of divine judgment amidst worldly normalcy.
* **"they did eat, they drank,":** These clauses describe the basic human activities of sustenance and enjoyment. "Eating" (esthíō) and "drinking" (pínō) represent the fundamental necessities and pleasures of life. The imperfect tense of the Greek verbs indicates continuous, habitual action, portraying a people consistently engaged in these daily routines, suggesting a comfortable, perhaps even indulgent, existence.
* **"they bought, they sold,":** These actions refer to commerce and economic activity. "Buying" (agorázō) and "selling" (pōléō) signify the engagement in trade, the accumulation of possessions, and the pursuit of material prosperity. This further illustrates the normalized, busy, and self-sufficient nature of life in Sodom, where economic pursuits were a central focus.
* **"they planted, they builded;":** These final clauses speak to agriculture and construction, representing long-term investment, settlement, and the establishment of a future. "Planting" (phyteúō) indicates cultivation and reliance on the land, while "building" (oikodoméō) signifies permanence, security, and the creation of infrastructure. Together, these activities paint a picture of a society deeply entrenched in earthly affairs, planning for a future that was abruptly cut short by divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 17:28 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Parallelism** is central, as Jesus draws a direct comparison between "the days of Noah" and "the days of Lot," establishing a pattern of human preoccupation preceding sudden divine judgment. The verse also utilizes **Polysyndeton**, the repeated use of conjunctions ("they did eat, *they* drank, *they* bought, *they* sold, *they* planted, *they* builded"), which creates a sense of continuous, overwhelming, and exhaustive engagement in mundane activities. This cumulative listing emphasizes the sheer volume and pervasive nature of their worldly absorption. Furthermore, the list functions as a **Merism** or **Synecdoche**, where a comprehensive list of specific activities (eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building) represents the totality of human daily life and its material concerns. This highlights that the problem was not the activities themselves, but the complete immersion in them to the exclusion of spiritual awareness or readiness for God's intervention. The entire verse serves as a **Historical Analogy**, using a well-known past event to illuminate a future reality, underscoring the timeless principle of God's judgment on an unprepared world.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 17:28 profoundly underscores the theological truth of God's sovereign judgment and the necessity of human vigilance. The "days of Lot" serve as a stark reminder that divine judgment is not merely a historical event but a recurring pattern in God's interaction with humanity. The focus is not on the inherent sinfulness of daily activities like eating or building, but on the spiritual blindness and moral decay that can accompany an exclusive preoccupation with them. When these temporal pursuits become the sole focus, they can lead to a state of spiritual unpreparedness, where individuals are oblivious to God's presence, His warnings, or the imminence of His intervention. This passage calls believers to a balanced life, actively engaged in the world yet spiritually discerning and ready for the Lord's return, recognizing that ultimate security and hope are found not in earthly comforts but in God alone.

* [Matthew 24:37-39](/matthew/24-37-39 "Matthew 24:37-39 - The Days of Noah and the Coming of the Son of Man")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:1-6](/1_thessalonians/5-1-6 "1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 - The Day of the Lord Will Come Like a Thief")
* [2 Peter 3:3-7](/2_peter/3-3-7 "2 Peter 3:3-7 - Scoffers and the Day of Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 17:28 challenges us to critically examine our own lives and priorities. In a world that constantly encourages consumption, accumulation, and the pursuit of material comfort, it is easy to become ensnared in the very activities Jesus describes. This verse is not a condemnation of work, sustenance, or planning for the future, which are necessary and even commanded by God in their proper place. Rather, it is a sober warning against allowing these temporal concerns to consume our entire focus, blinding us to eternal realities and our spiritual readiness for Christ's return. The call is to live with an awareness of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His future judgment and the revelation of the Son of Man. We are to be "in the world" but not "of the world," ensuring that our ultimate hope, security, and allegiance rest in God, not in fleeting earthly comforts or achievements. This requires intentional spiritual discipline, regular self-examination, and a consistent posture of watchfulness and prayer.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What daily activities in my life, though seemingly innocent, might be consuming too much of my attention and diverting me from spiritual readiness?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of spiritual vigilance and awareness of Christ's return amidst the busyness of everyday life?**
* **In what ways might I be prioritizing earthly security and comfort over my eternal hope and relationship with God?**

### FAQ

**Does Jesus condemn daily activities like eating and working in this verse?**
Answer: No, Jesus does not condemn daily activities such as eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, or building. These are normal and necessary aspects of human life. The condemnation lies not in the activities themselves, but in the **exclusive and overwhelming preoccupation** with them, to the point of spiritual blindness, moral decay, and a complete lack of readiness for God's divine intervention. The people in the days of Lot, like those in the days of Noah, were so engrossed in their mundane affairs that they were oblivious to the impending judgment, highlighting a spiritual detachment rather than the inherent sinfulness of the actions. The warning is against a life lived without spiritual discernment or preparedness for the [coming of the Son of Man](/luke/17-30 "Luke 17:30 - The Revelation of the Son of Man").

**What is the main warning Jesus is conveying through the "days of Lot" analogy?**
Answer: The main warning Jesus conveys is about the **sudden and unexpected nature of divine judgment and His second coming**, which will occur amidst apparent normalcy. Just as the people of Sodom were engaged in their daily routines without any inkling of the catastrophic destruction about to befall them, so too will the revelation of the Son of Man catch an unprepared world by surprise. This analogy underscores the critical importance of **spiritual vigilance and readiness**, urging believers to live with an ongoing awareness of God's sovereignty and the certainty of future accountability, rather than becoming complacent or absorbed solely in worldly pursuits. It's a call to be spiritually awake and prepared, as highlighted in [Matthew 24:44](/matthew/24-44 "Matthew 24:44 - Be Ready").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Luke 17:28](/luke/17-28 "Luke 17:28 - The Days of Lot") describes a historical judgment and warns of a future one, its ultimate fulfillment and significance are deeply rooted in Christ. The "days of Lot" serve as a prophetic type, foreshadowing the ultimate judgment that will be executed by the Son of Man Himself. Jesus, who is both the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) and the appointed Judge of all ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One, But Has Given All Judgment to the Son")), will return not as a mere historical figure, but as the glorified Lord. The warning to be ready is a call to place one's faith in Him, for only through Christ's atoning sacrifice can one escape the wrath to come and be found righteous on the day of judgment ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justified by His Blood")). Thus, the preoccupation with worldly affairs that characterized the days of Lot stands in stark contrast to the spiritual focus required of those who await Christ's return, whose citizenship is in heaven ([Philippians 3:20-21](/philippians/3-20-21 "Philippians 3:20-21 - Our Citizenship is in Heaven")). The judgment described is not arbitrary but flows from God's perfect justice, which finds its ultimate expression and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who offers salvation to all who believe, so that they may not perish but have eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - For God So Loved the World")).

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

Ezekiel 16:49

Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

Ezekiel 16:50

And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw [good].

Genesis 18:20

And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

Genesis 18:21

I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

James 5:1

¶ Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you].

James 5:5

Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

Genesis 13:13

But the men of Sodom [were] wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.