King James Version

What Does Luke 17:31 Mean?

Luke 17:31 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Luke chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 .

Luke 17:31 · KJV


Context

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.

33

Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Jesus shifts from historical parallels to practical commands for that day (ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, en ekeinē tē hēmera)—the day of Son of Man's revelation (v. 30). The imagery: someone on the housetop (ἐπὶ τοῦ δώματος, epi tou dōmatos)—Palestinian houses had flat roofs accessed by external stairs, used for work, rest, or prayer. His stuff in the house (τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ, ta skeuē autou en tē oikia) refers to possessions, goods, belongings.

The command: let him not come down to take it away (μὴ καταβάτω ἆραι αὐτά, mē katabatō arai auta)—don't descend to retrieve possessions. Likewise, he that is in the field, let him not return back (ὁ ἐν ἀγρῷ μὴ ἐπιστρεψάτω εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, ho en agrō mē epistrepsatō eis ta opisō)—the field worker must not go back for anything. The urgency is absolute: flee immediately, abandon possessions, don't look back. Why? Because judgment falls suddenly, completely, like Sodom's fire—any delay is fatal.

This has dual application: (1) Historical—Jerusalem's AD 70 destruction required immediate flight (Luke 21:20-22); Jesus' warning saved Christians who fled to Pella before Rome's siege. (2) Eschatological—at Christ's return, no time exists for securing earthly goods. The command tests priorities: Will you value possessions over life? Will attachment to this world delay obedience? The warning: earthly goods become worthless in judgment. Better to lose everything temporal and gain everything eternal than cling to perishing treasures.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Palestinian culture would understand this imagery immediately. Flat roofs served multiple purposes—sleeping in hot weather, drying figs, prayer (Acts 10:9). External stairs allowed roof access without entering the house. Someone on the roof could flee immediately by descending the external stairs and running, or could waste precious time entering the house to gather belongings. Field workers similarly faced the choice: flee immediately or return home for possessions and family.

Luke 21:20-22 applies this specifically to Jerusalem's coming destruction: 'When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies...let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains.' Church tradition records that Christians heeded this warning—when Roman armies under Cestius Gallus briefly withdrew in AD 66, Jerusalem's Christians fled to Pella in Perea. When Titus returned in AD 70 for final siege, believers had escaped. Those who remained—including Jews who ignored warnings—perished. Josephus records over 1 million Jews died in the siege; survivors were enslaved. Jesus' warning saved those who valued His words over their possessions. The lesson applies to final judgment: obey immediately, value Christ over everything, don't let earthly attachments cause fatal delay.

Reflection Questions

  1. What possessions or earthly attachments might you be tempted to 'go back for' if Christ returned today?
  2. How does Jesus' command to flee without taking possessions reveal the relative worthlessness of earthly goods in light of eternity?
  3. What does it mean practically to hold earthly goods 'loosely,' ready to abandon them instantly at Christ's call?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
ἐν1 of 31

In

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐκείνῃ2 of 31

that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

τῇ3 of 31
G3588

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

ἡμέρᾳ4 of 31

day

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

ὃς5 of 31

he which

G3739

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

ἔσται6 of 31

shall be

G2071

will be

ἐπὶ7 of 31

upon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τοῦ8 of 31
G3588

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

δώματος9 of 31

the housetop

G1430

properly, an edifice, i.e., (specially) a roof

καὶ10 of 31

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰ11 of 31
G3588

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

σκεύη12 of 31

stuff

G4632

a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally or figuratively (specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband))

αὐτά13 of 31

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐν14 of 31

In

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ15 of 31
G3588

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

οἰκίᾳ16 of 31

the house

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

μὴ17 of 31

him not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

καταβάτω18 of 31

come down

G2597

to descend (literally or figuratively)

ἆραι19 of 31

away

G142

to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh

αὐτά20 of 31

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ21 of 31

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

22 of 31
G3588

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

ἐν23 of 31

In

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ24 of 31
G3588

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

ἀγρῷ25 of 31

the field

G68

a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e., hamlet

ὁμοίως26 of 31

likewise

G3668

similarly

μὴ27 of 31

him not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἐπιστρεψάτω28 of 31

let him

G1994

to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)

εἰς29 of 31

back

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὰ30 of 31
G3588

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

ὀπίσω31 of 31
G3694

to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)


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 17:31 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 17:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study