Luke 17:34
What does Luke 17:34 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 17:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 17:34 means
Jesus foresees a night when two people share the same bed, yet one will be taken and the other left. The image reveals the personal and discriminating nature of the final separation. Proximity, intimacy, or shared routines cannot substitute for personal readiness. The taking and leaving signal a decisive divine action that distinguishes those who belong to the Son of man from those who do not. The verse sobers us with its ordinariness—this will interrupt life at its most private moments—and comforts believers that the Lord knows His own, even in the dark. Destiny hinges on relationship to Him, not on outward associations.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I say unto you, In that night there shall be two men on one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I say unto you, In that night there shall be two men on one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I say to you, In that night there will be two men sleeping in one bed, and one will be taken away and the other let go.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`I say to you, In that night, there shall be two men on one couch, the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I say to you: In that night there shall be two men in one bed. The one shall be taken and the other shall be left.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I say to you, In that night there shall be two [men] upon one bed; one shall be seized and the other shall be let go.
Context
This picture follows the call to lose life to preserve it (verse 33) and begins a triad of everyday scenarios that highlight sudden separation. Next, Jesus speaks of two women grinding together at the mill with the same division of outcomes (verse 35), and another parallel scene (verse 36). Together they emphasize that the decisive day penetrates ordinary settings and relationships, making the call to readiness intensely personal and immediate.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 11:4
But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.
- Matthew 24:25
Behold, I have told you beforehand.
- 2 Peter 2:9
the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment;
- Malachi 3:16
Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name.
- Mark 14:29
But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
- Luke 13:5
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
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