Luke 17:32

KJV

Remember Lot's wife.

KJV (with Strong's)

Remember {G3421} Lot's {G3091} wife {G1135}.

Complete Jewish Bible

remember Lot’s wife!

Berean Standard Bible

Remember Lot’s wife!

American Standard Version

Remember Lot’s wife.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In this concise yet profoundly impactful command, Jesus Christ issues a solemn warning to His disciples: "Remember Lot's wife." This terse directive, situated within His discourse on the sudden and decisive advent of the Son of Man, serves as a stark admonition against spiritual hesitation, divided loyalties, and the perilous temptation to cling to the world when divine judgment or salvation calls for unwavering commitment and forward movement. It encapsulates a timeless principle concerning the critical importance of wholehearted obedience and the dire consequences of looking back with longing at what God has commanded one to abandon.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This potent warning is embedded within Jesus' extended discourse on the coming of the Son of Man, spanning [Luke 17:20-37](/luke/17-20-37 "Luke 17:20-37 - The Coming of the Kingdom of God"). Preceding this verse, Jesus has emphasized the unexpected and pervasive nature of His return, comparing it to the days of Noah and Lot, where life proceeded normally until sudden, catastrophic judgment occurred ([Luke 17:26-30](/luke/17-26-30 "Luke 17:26-30 - Days of Noah and Lot")). Immediately before the command to "Remember Lot's wife," Jesus warns against turning back to retrieve possessions when the Son of Man appears, urging urgency and decisive action ([Luke 17:31](/luke/17-31 "Luke 17:31 - Do Not Turn Back")). The verses that follow continue to underscore the sudden separation and judgment that will occur at His coming, highlighting the need for constant readiness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The story of Lot's wife is drawn directly from the Old Testament account in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "Genesis 19 - The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"). Lot, his wife, and two daughters were commanded by angels to flee Sodom and Gomorrah, cities condemned for their egregious sin, with the explicit instruction not to look back ([Genesis 19:17](/genesis/19-17 "Genesis 19:17 - Flee for Your Life")). Lot's wife, however, disobeyed this divine command, looking back with a lingering attachment to the city and its way of life, resulting in her transformation into a pillar of salt ([Genesis 19:26](/genesis/19-26 "Genesis 19:26 - Lot's Wife Becomes a Pillar of Salt")). This event was a well-known historical and cautionary tale within Jewish tradition, symbolizing the consequences of disobedience, a divided heart, and an attachment to a condemned world. Jesus' audience would have been intimately familiar with this narrative, understanding its implications for divine judgment and the necessity of complete separation from sin.

* **Key Themes:** The command to "Remember Lot's wife" powerfully reinforces several critical themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost among these is the theme of **decisive judgment** and the **urgency of response** to God's call, mirroring the suddenness of the flood in Noah's day and the fire from heaven in Lot's day. It highlights the danger of **worldly attachment** and **divided loyalty**, emphasizing that a heart clinging to earthly possessions or sinful lifestyles cannot fully embrace the Kingdom of God. This warning also underscores the theme of **unwavering obedience** to divine commands, as Lot's wife's fate serves as a stark example of the consequences of even a moment's hesitation or disobedience when God's salvation is offered. Jesus' teaching here resonates with His earlier call for radical discipleship, where those who "put their hand to the plough and look back are not fit for the kingdom of God" ([Luke 9:62](/luke/9-62 "Luke 9:62 - No Looking Back")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Greek, _mnēmoneúō'_):** From a derivative of _mnēmē_ (memory), this verb means "to exercise memory, i.e. recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse." In this context, it is an imperative, a direct command not merely to recall a historical fact but to actively take heed, learn from, and internalize the lesson of Lot's wife. It implies a solemn admonition to guard against repeating her error, underscoring the gravity of the warning.
* **Wife (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** Probably from the base of _gínomai_ (to come into being, to be born), this word means "a woman; specially, a wife." While seemingly straightforward, the specific reference to "Lot's wife" rather than just "a woman" immediately invokes the well-known biblical narrative, highlighting her unique role as a cautionary figure whose identity is defined by her relationship to Lot and, more importantly, her fateful choice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Remember":** This is a direct, emphatic imperative from Jesus, signaling an urgent and vital lesson to be learned and internalized, not merely acknowledged. It calls for a conscious act of recollection that leads to behavioral change and spiritual vigilance. The command implies that the historical event of Lot's wife is not just a past anecdote but a timeless principle with direct relevance to the disciples' (and all believers') present and future conduct, especially concerning the coming judgment.
* **"Lot's wife":** This phrase serves as a concise, powerful allusion to the narrative in [Genesis 19:26](/genesis/19-26 "Genesis 19:26 - Lot's Wife Becomes a Pillar of Salt"). Her story embodies the profound danger of a divided heart, of looking back with longing at what God has commanded to be left behind. Her transformation into a pillar of salt is the ultimate, irreversible consequence of prioritizing worldly attachments over divine obedience and the urgency of salvation. The reference is a shorthand for a complex theological lesson about the cost of discipleship and the nature of final judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse "Remember Lot's wife" employs several potent literary devices. **Allusion** is central, as the entire command relies on the audience's familiarity with the Old Testament narrative of Lot's wife in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "Genesis 19 - The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"). This brief reference immediately conjures the full context of divine judgment, urgent flight, and the tragic consequence of disobedience. The use of an **Imperative** ("Remember") makes the statement a direct command, demanding not just intellectual recall but a deep, transformative understanding and application of the lesson. Furthermore, Lot's wife herself functions as a **Symbolism** for anyone who, when faced with a call to radical separation from the world and its allurements, hesitates, looks back, or clings to what is being left behind. Her fate symbolizes the spiritual peril of a divided heart and the irreversible consequences of prioritizing the temporary over the eternal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The warning to "Remember Lot's wife" transcends its historical context, serving as a profound theological statement on the nature of discipleship, the urgency of salvation, and the absolute necessity of wholehearted commitment to God. It highlights that salvation is not merely an initial decision but a continuous journey of faith that requires turning away from the world and its enticements without reservation. The fate of Lot's wife underscores the severity of divine judgment and the perilous nature of spiritual complacency or a divided heart that longs for the very things God has condemned. This passage reminds believers that true faith necessitates a decisive break from past sins and worldly affections, looking forward to the Kingdom of God with unwavering focus.

* [Hebrews 10:38-39](/hebrews/10-38-39 "Hebrews 10:38-39 - No Shrinking Back")
* [Philippians 3:13-14](/philippians/3-13-14 "Philippians 3:13-14 - Pressing On to the Goal")
* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - No One Can Serve Two Masters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The command to "Remember Lot's wife" serves as a timeless and piercing call to self-examination for every believer. It challenges us to honestly assess the true allegiances of our hearts: are we fully committed to following Christ, or do we harbor secret affections for the world, its comforts, or past sinful habits? In an age of increasing distractions and temptations, this verse urges us to cultivate a spiritual posture of readiness and unwavering focus on eternal realities. It reminds us that salvation is a journey that demands continuous forward movement, leaving behind anything that hinders our pursuit of God's will and our readiness for Christ's return. Our past, our possessions, and our worldly attachments must never become idols that cause us to look back with regret or longing, lest we share in the fate of those who prioritize the temporary over the eternal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Sodoms" or worldly attachments might I be tempted to look back at with longing, hindering my full commitment to Christ?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting a divided heart, trying to serve both God and the world?**
* **Am I truly living with an eternal perspective, or am I overly concerned with temporary earthly treasures and comforts?**
* **How does the urgency of Christ's return impact my daily choices and my willingness to obey God's commands without hesitation?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus use the specific example of Lot's wife?**

Answer: Jesus used the example of Lot's wife because her story, well-known to His Jewish audience from [Genesis 19:26](/genesis/19-26 "Genesis 19:26 - Lot's Wife Becomes a Pillar of Salt"), perfectly illustrates the dangers of a divided heart and the consequences of disobedience during a time of divine judgment. As Lot and his family fled Sodom, they were commanded not to look back. Lot's wife disobeyed, looking back with a lingering affection for the condemned city, and was turned into a pillar of salt. Her fate serves as a powerful, memorable symbol of the peril of spiritual hesitation and attachment to the world when God calls for decisive separation and unwavering commitment, especially in light of the impending judgment at the Son of Man's return. It highlights that salvation requires not just an initial step of faith, but a continuous forward movement, leaving behind all that hinders one's pursuit of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While the warning to "Remember Lot's wife" serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of a divided heart and disobedience, its ultimate fulfillment and resolution are found in Christ. Lot's wife looked back at a condemned city, but believers are called to look forward to the glorious return of Christ and the establishment of His eternal Kingdom. The hesitation and longing that led to her demise stand in stark contrast to the radical, unwavering commitment demanded by Jesus from His disciples, who are called to "take up their cross daily and follow Him" ([Luke 9:23](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - Take Up Your Cross")). Christ Himself is the ultimate example of one who "set His face to go to Jerusalem" ([Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem")), never looking back from His mission, even to the point of death on a cross, demonstrating perfect obedience to the Father's will. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ provides the very grace and power needed to overcome the world's allurements, enabling believers to live with singular devotion, fixing their eyes on "Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus")). Thus, the warning to remember Lot's wife ultimately points to the necessity of a Christ-centered life, where our focus is entirely on Him and the eternal hope He offers, rather than on the fleeting pleasures of a world destined for judgment.

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

Genesis 19:26

¶ But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Hebrews 10:38

Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Hebrews 10:39

But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

2 Peter 2:18

For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

2 Peter 2:22

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

1 Corinthians 10:6

¶ Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

1 Corinthians 10:12

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.