Matthew 24:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Let him which is on {G1909} the housetop {G1430} not {G3361} come down {G2597} to take {G142} any thing {G5100} out of {G1537} his {G846} house {G3614}:

Complete Jewish Bible

If someone is on the roof, he must not go down to gather his belongings from his house;

Berean Standard Bible

Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house.

American Standard Version

let him that is on the housetop not go down to take out the things that are in his house:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 24:17 is a stark, urgent command from Jesus within His Olivet Discourse, instructing those on the housetop in Judea not to descend into their homes to retrieve possessions when the prophesied signs of tribulation appear. This directive underscores the extreme urgency of the impending crisis, specifically the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, and serves as a powerful call for immediate, unhesitating flight, prioritizing life and safety over all material attachments.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives, recorded in [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse"). The disciples had asked Jesus about the timing of the Temple's destruction and the signs of His coming and the end of the age ([Matthew 24:3](/matthew/24-3 "Matthew 24:3 - Disciples' Questions")). Jesus responds by outlining a series of events, starting with general tribulations and false prophets, then moving to specific, unmistakable signs. Matthew 24:17 immediately follows the critical warning about the "abomination of desolation standing in the holy place" ([Matthew 24:15](/matthew/24-15 "Matthew 24:15 - The Abomination of Desolation")), which signals the absolute necessity of immediate flight from Judea. The subsequent verses continue to emphasize the unparalleled nature of this tribulation and the need for swift action, even on the Sabbath or in winter ([Matthew 24:19-20](/matthew/24-19-20 "Matthew 24:19-20 - Further Warnings about Flight")). The entire section from [Matthew 24:15-22](/matthew/24-15-22 "Matthew 24:15-22 - The Great Tribulation") focuses on the urgency and severity of this specific, localized crisis.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' words in Matthew 24:17 are primarily a warning to His Jewish followers concerning the impending Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in 70 AD. This event was a cataclysmic moment in Jewish history, leading to immense suffering, widespread death, and the complete demolition of the Second Temple. Ancient Jewish homes, particularly in Judea, commonly featured flat rooftops, which were not merely structural elements but functional living spaces used for various daily activities, from drying produce to sleeping in hot weather. Crucially, these rooftops were often interconnected, allowing passage from one house to another without descending to the street level. This architectural detail is vital to understanding Jesus' instruction: for someone already on the roof, the fastest and safest escape route from a besieged city would be to continue across the rooftops and out of the city, rather than descending into the house to retrieve belongings, which would expose them to immediate dangers in the streets or delay their escape. The urgency conveyed reflects the brutal efficiency of Roman sieges, where every second counted for survival.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 24:17 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Olivet Discourse and the broader Gospel of Matthew. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Warning and Providence**, demonstrating Jesus' foreknowledge and His merciful desire to protect His disciples by providing clear, actionable instructions for their survival. Secondly, it powerfully conveys the theme of **Urgency and Decisive Action**, emphasizing that when God's prophetic warnings are fulfilled, there is no room for hesitation or attachment to worldly possessions. This leads to the third theme, **Detachment from Material Possessions**, as the command to abandon everything underscores the fleeting nature of earthly goods in the face of ultimate crisis and the necessity of prioritizing life and spiritual safety. Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of **Watchfulness and Discernment**, calling believers to be alert to the signs of the times and to act obediently and swiftly upon God's revealed will, as seen throughout [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse") and particularly in passages like [Matthew 24:42-44](/matthew/24-42-44 "Matthew 24:42-44 - Be Ready for the Son of Man's Coming").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Housetop (Greek, _dōma'_):** (G1430) Properly, an edifice, but specifically refers to the flat roof of a house. In ancient Near Eastern architecture, the housetop was a common and accessible area, often used for various activities and, significantly, for escape in times of danger, as roofs were frequently connected. Jesus' instruction highlights this architectural feature as a potential escape route.
* **Come down (Greek, _katabaínō'_):** (G2597) From _kata_ (down) and _bainō_ (to go), meaning to descend. Coupled with the negative particle "not" (G3361, _mḗ_), this forms a strong prohibitive imperative: "do not come down." The command emphasizes immediate and continuous movement away from danger, without any deviation or delay.
* **Take (Greek, _aírō'_):** (G142) A primary root meaning to lift up, by implication to take up or away. In this context, it refers to the act of retrieving or carrying away possessions from the house. The absolute prohibition against taking "any thing" (G5100, _tìs_ - "any person or object") underscores the extreme urgency and the imperative to abandon all material goods for the sake of survival.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let him which is on the housetop":** This clause sets the scene, identifying the specific group of people to whom the instruction applies: those who happen to be on the flat roof of their dwelling. This is not an arbitrary detail but points to the most direct and immediate escape route available in a time of sudden peril, leveraging the common architectural design of the time.
* **"not come down":** This is a direct, urgent, and absolute prohibition. The Greek imperative here conveys a strong command to avoid any downward movement into the house. It signifies that any descent, even for a moment, would be a fatal delay or expose one to immediate danger, cutting off the most efficient escape path.
* **"to take any thing out of his house":** This specifies the reason for the prohibition against coming down. The act of retrieving possessions, no matter how valuable, is strictly forbidden. This highlights the supreme priority of life and safety over material wealth, emphasizing that in a crisis of this magnitude, earthly goods are utterly insignificant and a dangerous distraction.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 24:17 is marked by several potent literary devices that amplify its urgent message. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood** ("Let him... not come down"), which conveys a direct, non-negotiable command from Jesus, underscoring the absolute necessity of immediate action. There is also a degree of **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration for emphasis** in the command to not take "any thing" (G5100, _tìs_ - "any object") out of the house. This isn't merely a suggestion to travel lightly, but an absolute prohibition against any delay caused by attachment to possessions, stressing the dire consequences of even a moment's hesitation. Furthermore, the "housetop" and "house" serve as **Symbolism** for the familiar comforts, security, and material attachments of daily life. The instruction to abandon them symbolizes the radical detachment required in times of ultimate crisis, where one's very existence depends on prioritizing spiritual and physical safety over worldly goods. This vivid imagery creates a memorable and impactful warning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 24:17, while historically rooted in the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem, carries profound theological and thematic implications that extend far beyond its immediate context. It underscores a consistent biblical principle: when God's judgment is imminent or His call to action is given, immediate and decisive obedience is paramount, even at the cost of earthly security or possessions. This principle reflects God's merciful desire to provide a way of escape for His faithful, demanding radical trust and detachment from the world. The verse also implicitly teaches about the fleeting nature of material wealth and the eternal significance of spiritual priorities, aligning with the broader New Testament emphasis on storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Ultimately, it is a call to spiritual readiness, urging believers to live in a state of watchfulness, prepared to respond without hesitation to divine warnings, whether in personal crises or in anticipation of Christ's return.

* [Luke 17:31](/luke/17-31 "Luke 17:31 - Similar Warning in Luke")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [Hebrews 11:8](/hebrews/11-8 "Hebrews 11:8 - Abraham's Obedience and Detachment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 24:17, though specific in its historical fulfillment, offers timeless principles for believers today. It challenges us to examine our attachments to worldly possessions and comforts, asking whether they would hinder our obedience to God's urgent call or our readiness for His return. The command to flee without delay, leaving everything behind, serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual detachment and radical prioritization of God's will and our eternal well-being. In a world that often encourages accumulation and security in material things, this verse reminds us that true security is found only in obedience to God and trust in His providence. It calls us to cultivate a posture of readiness, not just for grand eschatological events, but for the daily promptings of the Holy Spirit, ensuring that we are not weighed down by the cares of this world when God calls us to act or to move. Our spiritual agility and willingness to forsake all for Christ are tested in the small decisions of life, preparing us for the great ones.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "possessions" or earthly comforts might be hindering my spiritual readiness or willingness to obey God's call without delay?**
* **How does my daily life reflect a prioritization of eternal realities over temporal security?**
* **In what areas of my life am I being called to a greater level of detachment or immediate obedience to God's Word?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is always "on the housetop," ready to move swiftly in response to God's warnings or promptings?**

### FAQ
**Was this warning only for the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, or does it apply to us today?**

Answer: While Jesus' primary audience and the immediate historical fulfillment of this warning were indeed the Jewish believers in Judea facing the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the principles embedded in Matthew 24:17 have enduring relevance for believers today. The command for urgent, unhesitating flight and the abandonment of material possessions in the face of impending crisis serves as a powerful spiritual metaphor. It teaches us about the importance of spiritual readiness, detachment from worldly goods, and immediate obedience to God's warnings, whether in personal spiritual crises, times of persecution, or in anticipation of Christ's second coming, as seen in the broader context of [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse") and [Luke 17:31-33](/luke/17-31-33 "Luke 17:31-33 - Warnings about Looking Back"). The underlying message is to prioritize our spiritual safety and eternal destiny above all earthly attachments.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 24:17, while a specific warning for a historical event, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a literal flight, but in the radical call to discipleship exemplified and embodied by Jesus Himself. Christ's life was one of complete detachment from earthly comforts and possessions, as He declared, "[Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")". He consistently taught His followers to prioritize the Kingdom of God above all else, urging them to "[seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")" and to "[lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")". The urgency to flee without retrieving possessions foreshadows the spiritual urgency of responding to the gospel and embracing the cross, which demands a willingness to "[deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me](/matthew/16-24 "Matthew 16:24 - Take Up Your Cross")". In Christ, we find the ultimate refuge and security, far surpassing any earthly dwelling or possession. He is the one who, in His great love, "[became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")", demonstrating the supreme value of spiritual salvation over material gain. Thus, the warning to abandon all for life points to the greater truth that in Christ, we gain true life by surrendering everything to Him, finding our ultimate safety and provision in His finished work and His ongoing presence.

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

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.

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:

Mark 13:16

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

Matthew 10:27

What I tell you in darkness, [that] speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, [that] preach ye upon the housetops.

Luke 12:3

Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Acts 10:9

¶ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: