Luke 17:31
What does Luke 17:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 17:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 17:31 means
In that decisive day, one on a housetop must not go down to retrieve belongings, and one in the field must not turn back. The command conveys urgency and detachment. Possessions that once seemed important must not delay flight or obedience. The danger is not only physical lingering but the heart’s backward glance that reveals divided loyalties. Readiness then requires settled priorities now. By teaching this, Jesus exposes how subtly possessions can ensnare us. The wise disciple travels light, so when the day comes, obedience is swift and unhindered by what cannot be saved.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000In that day, he that shall be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away: and let him that is in the field likewise not return back.
KJV
King James Version · 1611In 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901In that day, he that shall be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away: and let him that is in the field likewise not return back.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949On that day, if anyone is on the roof of the house, and his goods are in the house, let him not go down to take them away; and let him who is in the field not go back to his house.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862in that day, he who shall be on the house top, and his vessels in the house, let him not come down to take them away; and he in the field, in like manner, let him not turn backward;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In that hour, he that shall be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away: and he that shall be in the field, in like manner, let him not return back.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890In that day, he who shall be on the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not go down to take it away; and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
Context
This instruction follows the declaration that the Son of man will be revealed suddenly (verse 30) and precedes the concise warning to remember Lot’s wife (verse 32). The flow connects urgency with the peril of looking back, as illustrated in Genesis. After this, Jesus states the paradox of saving and losing life (verse 33) and gives paired sayings about two individuals in close proximity experiencing very different outcomes when the separation occurs (verses 34–35, 36).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 45:5
And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not; for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith Jehovah; but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.
- Luke 21:21
Then let them that are in Judæa flee unto the mountains; and let them that are in the midst of her depart out; and let not them that are in the country enter therein.
- Matthew 6:25
Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment?
- Philippians 3:7
Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.
- Mark 13:14
But when ye see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judæa flee unto the mountains:
- Job 2:4
And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
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