Luke 17:31

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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(31) He which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff.—Better, his goods, as in Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27. (See Notes on Matthew 24:17-18.)

Benson Commentary

Luke 17:31-32. In that day — (Which will be the grand type of the last day,) when ye shall see Jerusalem encompassed with armies; he which shall be upon the house-top, let him not come down — See on Matthew 24:17-18; Mark 13:15. Remember Lot’s wife — And escape with all speed, without ever looking behind you. See note on Genesis 19:26.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

17:20-37 The kingdom of God was among the Jews, or rather within some of them. It was a spiritual kingdom, set up in the heart by the power of Divine grace. Observe how it had been with sinners formerly, and in what state the judgments of God, which they had been warned of, found them. Here is shown what a dreadful surprise this destruction will be to the secure and sensual. Thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. When Christ came to destroy the Jewish nation by the Roman armies, that nation was found in such a state of false security as is here spoken of. In like manner, when Jesus Christ shall come to judge the world, sinners will be found altogether regardless; for in like manner the sinners of every age go on securely in their evil ways, and remember not their latter end. But wherever the wicked are, who are marked for eternal ruin, they shall be found by the judgments of God.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the notes at Matthew 24:17-18.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

31-33. to take it away … Remember, &c.—a warning against that lingering reluctance to part with present treasures which induces some to remain in a burning house, in hopes of saving this and that precious article till consumed and buried in its ruins. The cases here supposed, though different, are similar.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

These words seem to relate singly to the destruction of Jerusalem. See Poole on "Matthew 24:17", See Poole on "Matthew 24:18", where we had the same. They only signify the certain ruin and destruction of the place, and are our Saviour’s counsel to his disciples, not to linger, or promise themselves any longer security there, notwithstanding what any false Christs or false prophets should plainly tell them, but to make as much haste away out of it as they possibly could.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop,.... Either for diversion or devotion, when he shall hear that the Roman armies are approaching to Jerusalem, to besiege it:

and his stuff in the house; or "his vessels", his goods and furniture; or his utensils, and instruments of trade and business:

let him not come down; the inner way of the house, from the top:

to take it away; with him in his flight, but let him descend by the steps, or ladder, on the outside of the house, and make his escape directly to Pella, or the mountains:

and he that is in the field; at work, and has laid down his clothes in some certain part of the field, or at home:

let him likewise not return back; to fetch them, but make the best of his way as he is; See Gill on Matthew 24:17 and See Gill on Matthew 24:18.

Geneva Study Bible

{11} 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.

(11) We must pay careful attention that neither distrust nor the enticements of this world, nor any consideration of friendship hinder us in the least way.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

Luke 17:31-33. At that day it is well to abandon all earthly possession, wherefore I call to your remembrance the example of Lot’s wife. Even the temporal life must be abandoned by him who wishes not to lose the life eternal.

ὃς ἔσται ἐπὶ τοῦ δώμ. κ.τ.λ.] indicates certainly the undelayed flight with abandonment of earthly possession, but not, as at Matthew 24:17, Mark 13:15, the flight in the destruction of Jerusalem, of which here there is no mention, but the flight for deliverance to the coming Messiah at the catastrophe which immediately precedes His Parousia, Matthew 24:29-31. Then nothing of temporal possession should any more fetter the interest. Hence de Wette is wrong in regarding (comp. Weiss) the expression as unsuitably occurring in this place.

καὶ τ. σκ. αὐτοῦ] see Bernhardy, p. 304.

Luke 17:32. τῆς γυναικὸς Λώτ.] whose fate was the consequence of her looking back contrary to the injunction (Genesis 19:26), which she would not have done if she had given up all attachment to the perishing possessions, and had only hastened to the divine deliverance. Comp. Wis 10:7 f.

Luke 17:33. Comp. Luke 9:24, and on Matthew 10:39; Mark 8:35.

ζητήσῃ … ἀπολέσῃ] in the time of that final catastrophe ἀπολέσει … ζωογον.: in the decision at the Parousia

ζωογονεῖν, to preserve alive, as Acts 7:19, and in the LXX. See Biel and Schleusner.

Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 17:31-34. Sauve qui peut (Matthew 24:17-18; Mark 13:15-16). The saying in Luke 17:31 is connected in Mt. and Mk. with the crisis of Jerusalem, to which in this discourse in Lk. there is no allusion. The connection in Mt. and Mk. seems the more appropriate, as a literal flight was then necessary.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

31. upon the housetop] the common Oriental place for cool and quiet resort. See on Luke 12:3, Luke 5:19.

his stuff] i.e. his furniture or goods:

“Therefore away to get our stuff aboard.”

Shaksp. Com. of Errors.

let him not come down to take it away] let him escape at once by the outer steps, Matthew 24:16-18. It is clear that in these warnings, as in Matthew 24, our Lord has distinctly in view the Destruction of Jerusalem, and the awful troubles and judgments which it brought, as being the first fulfilment of the Prophecy of His Advent.

Bengel's Gnomen

Luke 17:31. Ἐν ἐκείνῃ, in that day) that day, on which the kingdom of God shall come. The day of Jerusalem being besieged is meant: comp. Luke 17:34, note: a day which has many points (aspects under which it may be viewed) in common with the last day. Comp. Luke 17:22. After Jerusalem had been destroyed, Christianity was most freely propagated. See ch. Luke 21:28.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 31, 32. - In that day, he which shall be upon the house-top, 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. Remember Lot's wife. The Lord, with this striking imagery, describes, not the attitude which men who would be saved must assume when he appears with power and great glory - there will be no time then to shape any new way of life - but it pictures the attitude they must always maintain, if they would be his servants, towards the things of this world. His servants must be ready to abandon all earthly blessings at a moment's notice; none but those who have been sitting loosely to these will be able, when the sudden cry comes, at once to toss away all, and so to meet the long-tarrying Bridegroom. The reminder of Lot's wife - a very familiar story to Jews - warned all would-be disciples of the danger of the double service, God and the world, and how likely the one who attempted it would be to perish miserably. Luke 17:31

Vincent's Word Studies

Goods

See on Matthew 12:29.

On the house-top

See on Matthew 24:17.