Mark 13:15

And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter [therein], to take any thing out of his house:

And {G1161} let him {G2597} that is on {G1909} the housetop {G1430} not {G3361} go down {G2597} into {G1519} the house {G3614}, neither {G3366} enter {G1525} therein, to take {G142} any thing {G5100} out of {G1537} his {G846} house {G3614}:

If someone is on the roof, he must not go down and enter his house to take any of his belongings;

Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house.

and let him that is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house:

Commentary

Mark 13:15 is a critical verse within Jesus' "Olivet Discourse," a significant prophecy given on the Mount of Olives concerning the destruction of the Temple and signs of the end times. This particular instruction emphasizes immediate, unhesitating action in the face of impending calamity.

Historical and Cultural Context

In ancient Israel, houses commonly featured flat rooftops (dōma in Greek, referring to the roof) that served various purposes, including sleeping, leisure, and even escape routes, often accessible via external staircases. Jesus' warning here is a direct instruction for those who find themselves on the housetop when the signs of impending doom appear. It vividly portrays the extreme urgency required, leaving no time to descend into the house to gather belongings. This passage is widely understood as a specific warning to those living in Judea during the Roman siege of Jerusalem, which culminated in the Temple's destruction in A.D. 70.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Urgency of Flight: The primary message is the absolute necessity of immediate departure without delay. There is no time to ponder or collect possessions; survival depends on instant obedience.
  • Divine Warning and Protection: Jesus, in His foresight, provides a clear, practical instruction for His followers to escape great tribulation. This highlights God's desire to provide a way of escape for His people during times of judgment.
  • Detachment from Material Possessions: The command to leave everything behind underscores that in moments of extreme crisis, life and obedience to God's warnings are paramount, far outweighing the value of worldly goods. This echoes principles found elsewhere, such as Lot's escape from Sodom, where they were warned not to look back or linger.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "not go down into the house" (*mē katabatō eis tēn oikian*) and "neither enter therein" (*mēde eiselthētō*) strongly conveys the idea of not even taking a single step towards the interior of the dwelling. The emphasis is on outward movement and immediate flight. "To take any thing out of his house" reinforces this, indicating that even the most cherished possessions are to be abandoned for the sake of life.

Practical Application

While this prophecy had a direct historical fulfillment concerning Jerusalem, its principles offer timeless wisdom for believers:

  • Spiritual Preparedness: It serves as a powerful reminder for believers to be spiritually alert and prepared, not just for specific historical events, but for the unknown future and Christ's return.
  • Prioritizing Obedience: When faced with critical decisions or spiritual warnings, our obedience to God's instructions should always take precedence over attachment to worldly comforts or possessions.
  • Heeding Prophetic Warnings: The passage teaches the importance of recognizing and acting upon divine warnings, whether they are specific to a historical context or broader truths about the nature of the world and God's plan. This urgent call to flee is paralleled in Matthew 24:17 and Luke 21:21, underscoring its significance.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • 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.

  • Luke 17:33

    Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

  • Hebrews 11:7

    By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

  • Philippians 3:7

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

  • Philippians 3:8

    Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,

  • Matthew 24:16

    Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

  • Matthew 24:18

    Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
← Back