Luke 17:31

KJV

In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

KJV (with Strong's)

In {G1722} that {G1565} day {G2250}, he which {G3739} shall be {G2071} upon {G1909} the housetop {G1430}, and {G2532} his {G846} stuff {G4632} in {G1722} the house {G3614}, let {G2597} him not {G3361} come down {G2597} to take {G142} it {G846} away {G142}: and {G2532} he that is in {G1722} the field {G68}, let him {G1994} likewise {G3668} not {G3361} return {G1994} back {G1519}{G3694}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On that day, if someone is on the roof with his belongings in his house, he must not go down to take them away. Similarly, if someone is in the field, he must not turn back —

Berean Standard Bible

On that day, let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions. Likewise, let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind.

American Standard Version

In that day, he that shall be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away: and let him that is in the field likewise not return back.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 17:31 delivers a stark and urgent warning from Jesus, emphasizing the absolute necessity of immediate and decisive action at the sudden, unexpected coming of the Son of Man. It vividly portrays a scenario where individuals, regardless of their current location or possessions, must abandon all earthly attachments and flee without hesitation, underscoring the spiritual priority and radical detachment required when confronted with a definitive moment of divine intervention or judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jesus' extended discourse on the coming of the Kingdom of God and the Son of Man, spanning [Luke 17:20-37](/luke/17-20-37 "Luke 17:20-37 - The Coming of the Kingdom"). Beginning with a clarification that the Kingdom would not arrive with observable signs ([Luke 17:20-21](/luke/17-20-21 "Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God Within You")), Jesus shifts to describing the sudden, undeniable nature of the Son of Man's appearance, likening it to a flash of lightning across the sky ([Luke 17:24](/luke/17-24 "Luke 17:24 - The Son of Man's Sudden Coming")). He then draws powerful parallels to the days of Noah and Lot ([Luke 17:26-30](/luke/17-26-30 "Luke 17:26-30 - Parallels to Noah and Lot")), where ordinary life continued until sudden, cataclysmic judgment befell the unprepared. The instruction in [Luke 17:31](/luke/17-31 "Luke 17:31 - The Urgency of Escape") serves as a direct, practical command flowing from these historical warnings, immediately preceding the cautionary tale of [Lot's wife in Luke 17:32](/luke/17-32 "Luke 17:32 - Remember Lot's Wife"), which further highlights the peril of looking back or clinging to the past.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery used in [Luke 17:31](/luke/17-31 "Luke 17:31 - The Urgency of Escape") is deeply rooted in ancient Israelite and Roman-era Jewish life. The "housetop" (Greek: _dōma_) refers to the flat roofs common in the Middle East, which were often used for various activities, including sleeping, drying produce, or even storing personal belongings. Access to these roofs was typically via an external staircase or ladder, allowing one to descend to the street without entering the main living quarters. The "field" (_agrós_) represents the common occupation of farming, a primary source of livelihood. The command to abandon possessions and not return speaks to the urgency of a sudden flight, reminiscent of the hasty departure from Egypt during the Exodus ([Exodus 12:33-34](/exodus/12-33-34 "Exodus 12:33-34 - Hasty Departure from Egypt")) or the flight from a besieged city. This context underscores the immediate, life-or-death nature of the impending event Jesus describes, where material possessions would become a fatal hindrance.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching themes in [Luke 17](/luke/17 "Luke 17 - The Kingdom of God") that [Luke 17:31](/luke/17-31 "Luke 17:31 - The Urgency of Escape") contributes to are **Urgency and Readiness for the Kingdom's Advent**, **Detachment from Worldly Possessions**, and the **Suddenness of Divine Judgment**. Jesus consistently emphasizes that the Kingdom of God is not a visible, political entity but a spiritual reality that will culminate in a dramatic, unexpected revelation of the Son of Man. This requires believers to live in a state of constant vigilance and spiritual preparedness, prioritizing their relationship with God over all earthly comforts and securities. The warnings about Noah and Lot serve as powerful object lessons, illustrating that life's normalcy can be shattered in an instant, demanding an immediate and unreserved response to God's unfolding plan. The call to abandon "stuff" and not "return back" reinforces the radical commitment required when God's ultimate purposes are revealed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **day (Greek, _hēméra_):** This term, referring to a specific time space, is used figuratively here to denote a significant, defined period or event. In the context of "that day," it functions as an eschatological marker, pointing to a future, decisive moment of divine intervention, often associated with judgment or the culmination of God's redemptive plan, commonly known as the "Day of the Lord."
* **housetop (Greek, _dōma_):** Properly, an edifice, but specifically referring to the flat roof of a house. In ancient Middle Eastern architecture, the housetop was a common area for various activities and often accessible directly from outside via stairs. Its mention here highlights a common, everyday location from which one might need to make an immediate, unhindered escape.
* **take away (Greek, _aírō_):** A primary root meaning "to lift up," "to take up or away." In this context, it signifies the act of gathering or removing one's possessions from the house. The negative command "let him not come down to take it away" emphasizes the absolute prohibition against delaying escape for the sake of retrieving material goods.
* **return (Greek, _epistréphō_):** From _epí_ (upon) and _stréphō_ (to turn), meaning "to revert," "to turn about," or "to turn back." This word underscores the prohibition against going back, even for a moment, to retrieve anything or to look back at what is being left behind, reinforcing the urgency and finality of the command.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop":** This phrase sets the scene for a specific, future, and pivotal moment ("that day"). It identifies an individual who is in a common, elevated position, perhaps engaging in daily activities or seeking refuge from the heat. The "housetop" implies a vantage point but also a potential trap if one needs to descend to retrieve items from inside the house.
* **"and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away":** This clause introduces the critical dilemma: one's possessions ("stuff," Greek: _skeûos_, meaning goods or equipment) are inside the house, while the person is on the roof. The command is absolute: do not descend to retrieve them. This vividly portrays the extreme urgency of the situation, where even essential belongings must be abandoned.
* **"and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.":** This parallel command extends the warning to another common scenario, that of a person working in the fields. The instruction "let him likewise not return back" emphasizes the same principle of immediate, unhesitating movement. There is no time to go back to one's home or farm, presumably to gather supplies or secure property. Both scenarios highlight the radical demand for detachment from all earthly ties and a singular focus on escape or response.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 17:31 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its urgent message. The use of **Parallelism** is evident in the two distinct scenarios presented: the person on the housetop and the person in the field. Both are given the same imperative to not return for their possessions, reinforcing the universal nature of the command and the absolute urgency of the moment. This creates a sense of immediate, inescapable choice. **Hyperbole** is also present, as the command to abandon all "stuff" and not "return back" is an extreme instruction, designed to shock the audience into understanding the radical nature of the impending event. It is not merely a suggestion but a life-or-death imperative. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Proverbial Warning**, delivering a concise, memorable instruction that encapsulates a profound spiritual truth about readiness and detachment. The phrase "In that day" acts as an **Eschatological Marker**, signaling a future, decisive moment of divine intervention, lending a sense of prophetic weight and solemnity to the instruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 17:31 profoundly underscores the eschatological urgency inherent in Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of God. It highlights a core theological principle: when God's ultimate purposes are revealed, all human priorities, especially those related to worldly security, comfort, or material wealth, must instantly yield. The command to abandon possessions and not look back is a call to radical detachment, mirroring the broader biblical theme that true security and life are found not in what one possesses but in one's relationship with God and obedience to His will. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual readiness is paramount, demanding a decisive break from anything that might hinder one's response to divine revelation or judgment. It challenges believers to live with an eternal perspective, valuing the Kingdom of God above all earthly concerns.

* [Matthew 24:17-18](/matthew/24-17-18 "Matthew 24:17-18 - Flight from Jerusalem")
* [Mark 13:15-16](/mark/13-15-16 "Mark 13:15-16 - Urgency in the End Times")
* [Philippians 3:7-8](/philippians/3-7-8 "Philippians 3:7-8 - Paul's Renunciation of Earthly Gain")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 17:31 challenges us to critically examine our attachments and priorities in life. The imagery of abandoning "stuff" and not "returning back" serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual readiness required of every believer. It's a call to live with an eternal perspective, understanding that our ultimate security and hope are not found in earthly possessions or comforts, but in our relationship with Christ. This verse compels us to cultivate a heart that is unencumbered by material desires, ready to respond instantly and decisively to God's call, whether it's a sudden crisis, a new mission, or the ultimate return of Christ. It warns against procrastination in spiritual matters and the danger of looking back at what we might lose, instead urging us to press forward with unwavering faith and obedience, trusting that God's provision and protection are sufficient.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "stuff" or earthly attachments might be hindering my spiritual readiness or willingness to follow Christ fully and immediately?**
* **How does the urgency in this verse challenge my current priorities and daily habits?**
* **In what areas of my life am I prone to "looking back" or clinging to the past, rather than moving forward in faith?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to cultivate a greater sense of detachment from worldly things and a deeper commitment to the Kingdom of God?**

### FAQ

**What is the "day" Jesus refers to in Luke 17:31?**

Answer: The "day" Jesus refers to is an eschatological marker, pointing to the sudden and definitive coming of the Son of Man, which will be a time of judgment and the full revelation of God's Kingdom. While it has immediate implications for the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, its primary and ultimate fulfillment points to the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus emphasizes that this day will be unexpected and will demand an immediate, unhesitating response, much like the sudden destruction in the days of Noah and Lot ([Luke 17:26-30](/luke/17-26-30 "Luke 17:26-30 - Parallels to Noah and Lot")).

**Why is Jesus' warning so extreme, telling people not to retrieve their possessions?**

Answer: Jesus' extreme warning underscores the absolute urgency and finality of the event he describes. It's a vivid illustration that at the coming of the Son of Man, there will be no time for delay or for clinging to earthly possessions. The value of one's life and spiritual readiness will far outweigh any material wealth. This command serves as a powerful metaphor for radical detachment from the world, emphasizing that true security and salvation are found in immediate obedience to God, not in what one owns. It's a call to prioritize eternal realities over temporal comforts, similar to the warning given to [Lot's wife in Luke 17:32](/luke/17-32 "Luke 17:32 - Remember Lot's Wife").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Luke 17:31](/luke/17-31 "The Urgency of Escape") speaks directly to the urgency surrounding the coming of the Son of Man, its profound Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the radical detachment and absolute priority that Jesus himself exemplified and now calls His followers to embrace. Jesus, the Son of Man, "had nowhere to lay his head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - Jesus Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")), embodying the very principle of non-attachment to earthly comforts. His life was a continuous act of abandoning worldly security and embracing the Father's will, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, where He "emptied himself" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). For believers, this passage foreshadows the call to "take up their cross daily and follow Him" ([Luke 9:23](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - Take Up Your Cross")), which often involves a willingness to forsake all for the sake of the Gospel and the Kingdom. The urgency to flee without looking back is not just about a future eschatological event, but a present spiritual reality: the call to abandon the "old self" and its worldly attachments, and to live a new life in Christ, whose return demands a heart fully devoted and unencumbered, ready to meet Him without hindrance or regret. The ultimate "return back" that is forbidden is a return to a life not centered on Him, for "no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" ([Luke 9:62](/luke/9-62 "Luke 9:62 - No Looking Back")).

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

Jeremiah 45:5

And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek [them] not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.

Mark 13:14

¶ But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

Mark 13:16

And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Luke 21:21

Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

Matthew 24:17

Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

Matthew 24:21

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Philippians 3:7

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.