Luke 17:31

31 On that day, 1let the one who is on 2the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back.

Luke 17:31 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 17:31

In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop
Either for diversion or devotion, when he shall hear that the Roman armies are approaching to Jerusalem, to besiege it:

and his stuff in the house;
or "his vessels", his goods and furniture; or his utensils, and instruments of trade and business:

let him not come down;
the inner way of the house, from the top:

to take it away;
with him in his flight, but let him descend by the steps, or ladder, on the outside of the house, and make his escape directly to Pella, or the mountains:

and he that is in the field;
at work, and has laid down his clothes in some certain part of the field, or at home:

let him likewise not return back;
to fetch them, but make the best of his way as he is; (See Gill on Matthew 24:17) and (See Gill on Matthew 24:18).

Luke 17:31 In-Context

29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all--
30 so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
31 On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back.
32 Remember Lot's wife.
33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Luke 21:21; Matthew 24:17, 18; Mark 13:15, 16
  • 2. See Luke 5:19
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.