Mark 13:16
New International Version
Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak.

New Living Translation
A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat.

English Standard Version
and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.

Berean Standard Bible
And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

Berean Literal Bible
and the one in the field, let him not return to the things behind to take his clothing.

King James Bible
And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

New King James Version
And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.

New American Standard Bible
And whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.

NASB 1995
and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat.

NASB 1977
and let him who is in the field not turn back to get his cloak.

Legacy Standard Bible
and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his garment.

Amplified Bible
whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his coat.

Christian Standard Bible
and a man in the field must not go back to get his coat.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And a man in the field must not go back to get his clothes.

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

Contemporary English Version
If you are out in the field, don't go back for your coat.

English Revised Version
and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloke.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Those who are in the field should not turn back to get their coats.

Good News Translation
Someone who is in the field must not go back to the house for a cloak.

International Standard Version
and the one who's in the field must not turn back to get his coat.

Majority Standard Bible
And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

NET Bible
The one in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.

New Heart English Bible
Let him who is in the field not return back to take his coat.

Webster's Bible Translation
And let him that is in the field not turn back again to take up his garment.

Weymouth New Testament
and let not him who is in the field turn back to pick up his outer garment.

World English Bible
Let him who is in the field not return back to take his cloak.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he who is in the field, do not let him turn to the things behind, to take up his garment.

Berean Literal Bible
and the one in the field, let him not return to the things behind to take his clothing.

Young's Literal Translation
and he who is in the field, let him not turn to the things behind, to take up his garment.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he being in the field, let him not turn back to take up his garment.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And let him that shall be in the field, not turn back to take up his garment.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And let whoever may be in the field not return to take his garment.

New American Bible
and a person in a field must not return to get his cloak.

New Revised Standard Version
the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he who is in the field, let him not return to take his clothes.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And whoever is in the field should not turn to go back to take up his garment.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and let not him that is in the field turn back to take his mantle.

Godbey New Testament
and let not the one who is in the field turn back to take his garment.

Haweis New Testament
and he that is in the field, let him not return back to take his garment.

Mace New Testament
not him that is in the field return back to fetch his garment.

Weymouth New Testament
and let not him who is in the field turn back to pick up his outer garment.

Worrell New Testament
and let him who is in the field not turn back to take his garment.

Worsley New Testament
nor let him that is in the field return back for his clothes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Abomination of Desolation
15Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. 16And let no one in the field return for his cloak. 17How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers!…

Cross References
Matthew 24:17-18
Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

Luke 17:31
On that day, let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions. Likewise, let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind.

Luke 21:21
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city.

Genesis 19:17
As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”

Jeremiah 48:6
‘Flee! Run for your lives! Become like a juniper in the desert.’

Isaiah 24:18
Whoever flees the sound of panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are open, and the foundations of the earth are shaken.

1 Samuel 19:12
So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped.

2 Kings 7:15
And they tracked them as far as the Jordan, and indeed, the whole way was littered with the clothing and equipment the Arameans had thrown off in haste. So the scouts returned and told the king.

2 Kings 9:3
Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run. Do not delay!”

2 Kings 9:10
And on the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour Jezebel, and there will be no one to bury her.’” Then the young prophet opened the door and ran.

2 Kings 9:13
Quickly, each man took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. Then they blew the ram’s horn and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”

2 Kings 9:15
but King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he had suffered at the hands of the Arameans in the battle against Hazael their king.) So Jehu said, “If you commanders wish to make me king, then do not let anyone escape from the city to go and tell it in Jezreel.”

2 Kings 9:17
Now the watchman standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, and he called out, “I see a company of troops!” “Choose a rider,” Joram commanded. “Send him out to meet them and ask, ‘Have you come in peace?’”

2 Kings 9:19
So the king sent out a second horseman, who went to them and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.”

2 Kings 9:21
“Harness!” Joram shouted, and they harnessed his chariot. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah set out, each in his own chariot, and met Jehu on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite.


Treasury of Scripture

And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Jump to Previous
Cloak Coat Field Garment Mantle Outer Pick Turn
Jump to Next
Cloak Coat Field Garment Mantle Outer Pick Turn
Mark 13
1. Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple;
9. the persecutions for the gospel;
10. that the gospel must be preached to all nations;
14. that great calamities shall happen to the Jews;
24. and the manner of his coming to judgment;
32. the hour whereof being known to none, every man is to watch and pray














And let no one
This phrase emphasizes the urgency and universality of the instruction. The Greek word used here for "no one" is "μηδείς" (mēdeis), which is an absolute term, indicating that this command applies to everyone without exception. In the context of the end times, as described in Mark 13, this phrase underscores the seriousness of the situation. It calls for immediate action and prioritization of spiritual readiness over material concerns.

in the field
The "field" represents a place of work and daily life, often away from the immediate safety of home. In the agrarian society of first-century Judea, fields were common places of labor. This setting implies that the events Jesus is describing will interrupt normal life. Historically, fields were also places of vulnerability, away from the protection of city walls. Spiritually, this can be seen as a metaphor for being in the world but needing to be ready to respond to God's call without delay.

return
The Greek word "ἐπιστρέφω" (epistrephō) means to turn back or return. This word choice suggests a deliberate action, a conscious decision to go back to something left behind. In the context of this passage, it warns against the temptation to cling to past securities or possessions when faced with the urgency of the prophetic events. It is a call to focus on what truly matters—spiritual preparedness and faithfulness to God's commands.

for his cloak
The "cloak" (Greek: "ἱμάτιον," himation) was an essential garment in ancient times, often used for warmth and as a blanket at night. It symbolizes basic human needs and comforts. The instruction not to return for one's cloak highlights the need to prioritize spiritual readiness over physical comfort or material possessions. In a broader biblical context, this reflects Jesus' teaching on the transient nature of earthly possessions and the importance of seeking first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).

Verse 16. - And let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloke (τὸ ἱμάτιον αὐτοῦ ). This was the outer garment or pallium. They who worked in the field were accustomed to leave their cloak and their tunic at home; so that, half-stripped, they might be more free to labor. Therefore our Lord warns them that in this impending destruction, so suddenly would it come, they must be ready to fly just as they were. It was the direction given to Lot, "Escape for thy life; look not behind thee."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And {let}
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[no one]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

in
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

field
ἀγρὸν (agron)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 68: From ago; a field; genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e. Hamlet.

return for
ἐπιστρεψάτω (epistrepsatō)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1994: From epi and strepho; to revert.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

cloak.
ἱμάτιον (himation)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2440: A long flowing outer garment, tunic. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi; a dress.


Links
Mark 13:16 NIV
Mark 13:16 NLT
Mark 13:16 ESV
Mark 13:16 NASB
Mark 13:16 KJV

Mark 13:16 BibleApps.com
Mark 13:16 Biblia Paralela
Mark 13:16 Chinese Bible
Mark 13:16 French Bible
Mark 13:16 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Mark 13:16 Let him who is in the field (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 13:15
Top of Page
Top of Page