King James Version

What Does Matthew 24:17 Mean?

Matthew 24:17 in the King James Version says “Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:”

Matthew 24:17 · KJV

Context

15

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

16

Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17

Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

18

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

19

And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Read Matthew 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house (ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δώματος μὴ καταβάτω ἆραι τὰ ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας αὐτοῦ)—Palestinian houses had flat roofs (δῶμα, dōma) accessed by external stairs, often used for prayer, sleeping, or storage. Jesus commands: don't even descend into your house. The urgency mirrors Lot's wife, who looked back and became salt (Genesis 19:26). The verb καταβαίνω (katabainō, "come down") with the negative μή creates an absolute prohibition.

The phrase τὰ ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας ("things from the house") represents earthly possessions—valuables, necessities, sentimental items. Jesus prioritizes life over property. Luke 17:31-32 adds: "Remember Lot's wife"—a warning against attachment to material things when divine judgment looms. The principle applies beyond AD 70: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Josephus describes the panic during Jerusalem's siege when people desperately tried to preserve possessions or flee with treasures. Many were killed by zealots inside the city for suspected desertion or by Romans outside. Delay meant death. Archaeological evidence from Pompeii (destroyed AD 79, close to Jerusalem's fall) shows skeletons of people who paused to gather valuables—they were buried in volcanic ash. The urgency Jesus prescribed was literal.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern "possessions" might keep believers from immediately obeying God's clear commands?
  2. How can Christians cultivate appropriate detachment from material things without falling into Gnostic dualism that despises God's creation?
  3. What is the relationship between Jesus's command here and his teaching about storing treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 12 words
ὁ1 of 12
G3588

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

ἐπὶ2 of 12

“Let him which is on”

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

τοῦ3 of 12
G3588

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

δώματος4 of 12

“the housetop”

G1430

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

μὴ5 of 12

“not”

G3361

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

καταβαινέτω6 of 12

“come down”

G2597

to descend (literally or figuratively)

ἆραι7 of 12

“to take”

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

τι8 of 12

“any thing”

G5100

some or any person or object

ἐκ9 of 12

“out of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῆς10 of 12
G3588

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

οἰκίας11 of 12

“house”

G3614

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

αὐτοῦ12 of 12
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

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 24:17 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 Matthew 24:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 17:31-33Mark 13:15-16Matthew 10:27Luke 12:3Acts 10:9Deuteronomy 22:8

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