King James Version

What Does Luke 17:30 Mean?

Luke 17:30 in the King James Version says “Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”

Luke 17:30 · KJV

Context

28

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

29

But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

30

Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

31

In 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 .

32

Remember Lot's wife.

Read Luke 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Jesus applies both historical examples (Noah and Lot) to His second coming. Even thus (κατὰ τὰ αὐτὰ, kata ta auta—"according to these same things") draws direct parallel between past judgments and future eschatological judgment. In the day when the Son of man is revealed (ᾗ ἡμέρᾳ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀποκαλύπτεται, hē hēmera ho huios tou anthrōpou apokalyptetai)—the verb apokalyptō (ἀποκαλύπτεται, is revealed) means to unveil, uncover, make manifest what was hidden.

Currently, Christ's glory is veiled—He reigns from heaven, invisible to human eyes (Colossians 3:3-4). At His return, the veil lifts; He appears in manifest glory (Colossians 3:4, 1 John 3:2). The parallel with Noah and Lot emphasizes: (1) Normalcy—life continues as usual until the moment of revelation; (2) Suddenness—judgment strikes without further warning; (3) Totality—no escape for the unprepared; (4) Separation—the righteous saved, the wicked destroyed; (5) Irreversibility—no second chances after judgment falls.

The day (ᾗ ἡμέρᾳ, hē hēmera) is singular, definite—not gradual process but specific moment when history culminates in Christ's appearing. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 describes this revelation: Christ returns 'in flaming fire taking vengeance' on those who 'know not God,' while simultaneously glorifying Himself in His saints. That day divides humanity finally and forever—vindication for believers, destruction for unbelievers. The warning: prepare now, while grace extends; judgment comes suddenly, irreversibly.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Jewish apocalyptic expectation anticipated 'the day of the Lord'—God's decisive intervention in history to judge evil and establish His kingdom (Joel 2:1-11, Amos 5:18-20, Zephaniah 1:14-18). Jesus appropriates this language, identifying 'the day of the Lord' with 'the day of the Son of man'—His return in glory. The Pharisees asked 'when the kingdom of God should come' (v. 20); Jesus responds that His second coming will be unmistakable, like lightning (v. 24), like Noah's flood, like Sodom's destruction.

Early Christians lived expecting this day. Paul wrote of 'the day of Christ' (Philippians 1:6, 10, 2:16), 'the day of the Lord' (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:2), 'that day' (2 Thessalonians 1:10, 2 Timothy 1:12, 18, 4:8). Peter warned it would come 'as a thief in the night' when 'the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat' (2 Peter 3:10). The consistent apostolic message: live holy lives in light of coming judgment (2 Peter 3:11-14). Jesus' teaching here grounds this expectation in historical precedent—as surely as God judged Noah's and Lot's generations, He will judge ours.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should the certainty that Christ will be revealed in judgment 'even thus' (exactly like Noah's flood and Sodom's fire) affect daily priorities?
  2. What does it mean to live ready for 'the day' when Christ is revealed, given that it will come suddenly like past judgments?
  3. How does the revelation of Christ's glory comfort believers while terrifying unbelievers (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 10 words
κατὰ1 of 10

“Even”

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

ταὐτὰ2 of 10

“thus”

G5024

in the same way

ἔσται3 of 10

“shall it be”

G2071

will be

ᾗ4 of 10

“in the day”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἡμέρᾳ5 of 10
G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ὁ6 of 10
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸς7 of 10

“when the Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ8 of 10
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπου9 of 10

“of man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἀποκαλύπτεται10 of 10

“is revealed”

G601

to take off the cover, i.e., disclose

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 17:30 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 17:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 1:72 Thessalonians 1:7Revelation 1:7Luke 21:34-36Luke 21:271 Peter 1:7

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