Luke 17:31

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.

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}.

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 —

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.

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

Luke 17:31 presents a stark warning from Jesus Christ regarding the urgency and decisiveness required at the time of the Son of Man's coming. This verse emphasizes the need for immediate action and a detachment from material possessions when faced with a sudden, defining moment of divine intervention or judgment.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus’ discourse on the coming of the Kingdom of God and the Son of Man, found in Luke 17:20-37. Jesus is addressing questions about when God's kingdom would appear, teaching that it would not come with observable signs but would be a sudden, undeniable event, likened to lightning flashing across the sky (Luke 17:24). He draws parallels with the days of Noah and Lot, where life continued normally until sudden destruction came upon the unprepared (Luke 17:26-30). The immediate instruction to flee without hesitation directly precedes the famous warning about Lot's wife in Luke 17:32, highlighting the danger of looking back or clinging to the past.

Key Themes

  • Urgency and Readiness: The core message is the absolute necessity of immediate and decisive action. There will be no time for delay or for gathering earthly belongings. This speaks to a state of constant spiritual readiness for the unexpected.
  • Detachment from Material Possessions: Both the person on the housetop and the one in the field are commanded to abandon their "stuff" or return for anything. This underlines that at such a critical moment, material wealth and comforts are utterly insignificant compared to the need to escape or respond to the divine call.
  • The Suddenness of Judgment: The phrase "In that day" points to a specific, yet unannounced, moment when events will unfold rapidly and definitively. It emphasizes that the coming of the Son of Man will be unexpected by many, demanding an immediate response.
  • Divine Priority: Jesus' warning underscores that when God's agenda is revealed, all human priorities, especially those related to worldly security or possessions, must yield instantly.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "In that day" (Greek: en ekeinē tē hēmera) points to a distinct, future time of pivotal significance. It's an eschatological marker used throughout the Old and New Testaments to refer to the "Day of the Lord" or the "Day of Judgment." The "housetop" (Greek: dōma) refers to the flat roofs common in ancient Middle Eastern architecture, often used for living, sleeping, or storing items. The instruction not to "come down to take it away" or "return back" vividly portrays the suddenness and finality of the event, leaving no room for worldly attachments.

Practical Application

Luke 17:31 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today to live with a sense of spiritual urgency and readiness. It challenges us to:

  • Prioritize Spiritual Over Material: Evaluate our attachments to earthly possessions and comforts. Are they hindering our readiness to follow Christ fully?
  • Live in Vigilance: While we don't know the exact timing of Christ's return, we are called to live prepared, as if "that day" could come at any moment. This means nurturing our faith, living righteously, and being spiritually alert.
  • Avoid Procrastination: The passage strongly warns against delaying obedience or spiritual readiness. The time to prepare is now, not when the crisis hits.
  • Trust God's Deliverance: The command to flee without looking back implies a trust that God will provide for and protect those who obey, even if it means leaving everything behind. This concept is further explored in Matthew 6:33 regarding seeking first the Kingdom of God.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 45:5 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Luke 21:21 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • Matthew 24:21 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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