Matthew 24:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

{G2532} Neither {G3361} let him which is in {G1722} the field {G68} return {G1994} back {G3694} to take {G142} his {G846} clothes {G2440}.

Complete Jewish Bible

if someone is in the field, he must not turn back to get his coat.

Berean Standard Bible

And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

American Standard Version

and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 24:18 delivers a stark and urgent warning from Jesus, instructing those in Judea to flee without hesitation during a time of unparalleled tribulation. This command, part of the Olivet Discourse, underscores the absolute necessity of immediate action and complete detachment from worldly possessions, emphasizing that even retrieving essential items like clothing would be a fatal delay. It highlights the severity of the impending crisis and the paramount importance of prioritizing escape and obedience over material comfort.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives, known as the Olivet Discourse ([Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse")). It immediately follows Jesus' direct instruction in [Matthew 24:16-17](/matthew/24-16-17 "Matthew 24:16-17 - Commands to Flee") for those in Judea to "flee to the mountains" and for those on the housetop not to "come down to take anything out of his house." Matthew 24:18 intensifies this warning, extending the prohibition against delay to those in the fields, ensuring no one, regardless of their immediate location or activity, should pause for personal belongings. The sequence of these commands emphasizes the suddenness and extreme danger of the impending events, leaving no room for hesitation or attachment to earthly goods.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' words primarily refer to the impending destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by the Roman armies, which occurred in A.D. 70. This event was characterized by a brutal siege and widespread devastation. In first-century Judea, people often worked in fields outside the city walls. Outer garments, or "clothes" (specifically the _himátion_), were significant possessions; they served as cloaks for warmth, blankets at night, and even collateral for loans. To abandon them meant leaving behind a crucial item for survival and comfort. The urgency conveyed by Jesus reflects the sudden and overwhelming nature of Roman military advances, where any delay could mean capture, death, or enslavement.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 24:18 profoundly contributes to several key themes within the Olivet Discourse and broader biblical teaching. The most prominent theme is **Urgency and Immediacy**, emphasizing that in times of divine judgment or impending crisis, immediate and decisive action is paramount, with no room for hesitation. This ties into the theme of **Detachment from Worldly Possessions**, as Jesus explicitly warns against allowing material goods, even essential ones, to hinder one's obedience and escape. The command also highlights the theme of **Spiritual Readiness and Watchfulness**, urging disciples to live in a state of preparedness, prioritizing God's directives over earthly comforts. This echoes the broader call to be vigilant for the signs of the end of the age and the Lord's return, as discussed in [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
* **epistréphō (Greek, _epistréphō'_):** From ἐπί and στρέφω, meaning "to revert (literally, figuratively or morally); to come (go) again, convert, (re-)turn (about, again)." In this context, "return back" signifies a reversal of movement, a turning away from the path of escape to retrieve something. Jesus' prohibition emphasizes that any backward movement, even a slight detour, would be perilous and forbidden.
* **aírō (Greek, _aírō'_):** A primary root meaning "to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare נָשָׂא) to expiate sin." Here, "to take" refers to the act of picking up or carrying away. The command forbids even the simple act of taking one's clothes, highlighting the extreme urgency and the need to abandon all non-essentials.
* **himátion (Greek, _himátion'_):** Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi (to put on); "a dress (inner or outer); apparel, cloke, clothes, garment, raiment, robe, vesture." This term specifically refers to the outer garment or cloak, which was a significant and often valuable possession in ancient Israel, serving multiple purposes from clothing to bedding. The instruction to leave it behind underscores the dire nature of the situation, where even such a crucial item is deemed expendable for the sake of immediate escape.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither let him which is in the field":** This clause directs the warning to individuals who are engaged in their daily work, specifically agricultural labor, away from their homes. It broadens the scope of the warning from those in houses (as in [Matthew 24:17](/matthew/24-17 "Matthew 24:17 - No Descent from the Housetop")) to include anyone, anywhere, emphasizing the universal and immediate nature of the impending danger.
* **"return back":** This is a strong imperative against any backward movement or deviation from the path of escape. It signifies a prohibition against turning around, going against the flow of flight, or delaying for any reason. The direction is forward, towards safety, without exception.
* **"to take his clothes":** This specifies the particular action that must be avoided: retrieving one's garments. As noted, outer garments were valuable and practical, yet Jesus declares that even these essential items must be abandoned. This highlights the absolute priority of physical safety and obedience to the command to flee over any material possession, no matter how seemingly important.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several literary devices to convey the profound urgency and gravity of His warning in Matthew 24:18. The primary device is **Hyperbole**, where the extreme instruction to not even retrieve one's clothes serves to underscore the absolute necessity of immediate flight. This exaggeration is not meant to be taken literally in all circumstances but to impress upon the listener the direness of the situation, where even a seemingly minor delay could be fatal. Closely related is the use of **Imperative Mood** in the Greek, which conveys a direct command and an absolute prohibition, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of the instruction. Furthermore, "clothes" can be seen as a form of **Metonymy**, where a specific, common item stands in for all earthly possessions or comforts that might tempt one to delay or turn back from the path of obedience and safety. The vivid imagery of someone in the field, far from home, being forbidden to retrieve even their cloak, paints a powerful picture of the suddenness and severity of the impending tribulation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 24:18 transcends its immediate historical context to offer profound theological and thematic insights for all believers. It underscores the principle that in times of ultimate crisis, or when faced with a clear divine directive, our attachment to earthly possessions and comforts must be completely subordinate to our obedience and spiritual readiness. This passage teaches radical detachment, not as an ascetic ideal for all times, but as a necessary posture when God's judgment is imminent or when His call demands absolute and immediate response. It challenges believers to evaluate their priorities, ensuring that no material good or personal comfort hinders their spiritual vigilance or their readiness to follow Christ's commands, even if it means abandoning everything familiar.

* [Luke 17:31](/luke/17-31 "Luke 17:31 - Similar Warning to Flee")
* [Genesis 19:17](/genesis/19-17 "Genesis 19:17 - Lot's Escape from Sodom")
* [Philippians 3:7-8](/philippians/3-7-8 "Philippians 3:7-8 - Paul's Detachment from Worldly Gain")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the immediate context of Matthew 24:18 points to a specific historical event, its underlying principles resonate deeply with the spiritual journey of every believer. This verse serves as a powerful call to live with a profound sense of spiritual readiness and detachment from the fleeting comforts and possessions of this world. It challenges us to examine what "clothes" or earthly attachments might hinder our immediate and unreserved obedience to God's will, especially in moments of spiritual urgency or when faced with difficult choices. The passage compels us to prioritize our relationship with God and His kingdom above all else, fostering a heart that is not entangled by material concerns, but is ever-ready to respond to His call, whether it be for radical discipleship, evangelism, or enduring tribulation. It reminds us that our true security and treasure are not found in what we possess, but in our unwavering trust and obedience to Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "clothes" or earthly attachments might be hindering my immediate and full obedience to God's call in my life today?**
* **How does this verse challenge my priorities regarding material possessions versus spiritual readiness?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a greater sense of detachment from worldly comforts to be more agile in responding to God's directives?**
* **Am I living with the kind of watchfulness and readiness that anticipates the Lord's return or any sudden divine instruction?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse only about the destruction of Jerusalem, or does it have broader application?**

Answer: While Matthew 24:18 is undeniably rooted in the immediate historical context of the impending destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, Jesus' Olivet Discourse often operates with a dual fulfillment, speaking to both the near-term events and the broader signs leading to the end of the age and His second coming. Therefore, the principles of urgency, detachment from worldly possessions, and absolute readiness for divine action are timeless and apply to all believers facing times of tribulation, persecution, or even the ultimate return of Christ. The warning serves as a perpetual reminder for disciples to prioritize spiritual obedience over material security, regardless of the specific historical context.

**Why are "clothes" specifically mentioned as something not to retrieve?**

Answer: In the ancient world, outer garments (cloaks or robes) were far more significant than just an item of fashion. They served multiple essential purposes: providing warmth at night (often used as a blanket), protection from the elements during the day, and even functioning as collateral for loans (see [Exodus 22:26-27](/exodus/22-26-27 "Exodus 22:26-27 - Lending and Collateral")). By specifically mentioning "clothes," Jesus highlights that even such a vital and valuable possession must be abandoned without hesitation. This underscores the extreme urgency and severity of the impending danger, emphasizing that no material item, no matter how necessary or cherished, should delay one's immediate escape or obedience to God's warning.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 24:18, with its stark command for immediate and unburdened flight, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who perfectly exemplified radical obedience and complete detachment from worldly comforts for the sake of a higher calling. While He did not "flee" a physical tribulation in the same manner, His entire earthly ministry was a demonstration of prioritizing the Father's will above all earthly considerations. He "returned not back" from the path of suffering and sacrifice, even when it meant abandoning all earthly glory and comfort, as described in [Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience"), where He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant. Jesus' journey to the cross, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice, was a path of unwavering resolve, where He did not cling to His divine prerogatives or seek personal ease, but set His face like flint towards Jerusalem ([Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem")). His call to discipleship often involves a similar radical abandonment, urging followers to leave everything behind to follow Him ([Matthew 10:37-39](/matthew/10-37-39 "Matthew 10:37-39 - Cost of Discipleship")). Thus, Jesus is not merely the one who issues this urgent warning, but the very embodiment of the radical obedience and ultimate sacrifice that the warning demands, securing our eternal safety through His own unhesitating pursuit of God's will.

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.