Devine Scripture

Matthew 24:18

What does Matthew 24:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 24:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 24:18 means

Continuing the theme of extreme urgency, Jesus instructs, "and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak." This vivid image depicts a worker in the field, far from home, who must abandon even essential clothing for the sake of immediate escape. It reinforces that the coming tribulation will be so sudden and severe that there will be no opportunity for retrieving even basic necessities. This highlights the absolute priority of immediate flight above any material possessions.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And let not him who is in the field go back to get his coat.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he in the field--let him not turn back to take his garments.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he that is in the field, let him not go back to take his coat.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and let not him that is in the field turn back to take his garment.

Context

This verse further intensifies the depiction of urgency, paralleling the rooftop example from verse 17. By illustrating another scenario where even essential items must be abandoned for immediate flight, it underscores the unparalleled swiftness and severity of the impending tribulation, leading naturally to a compassionate warning for those who will face particular difficulty in fleeing.

v.17let him that is on the housetop not go down to take out the things that are in his house:

v.18This passage

v.19But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!

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