Luke 17:31 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →On that day, no one on the housetop should go down for his belongings, and no one in the field should turn back.
What Does Luke 17:31 Mean?
Houses of that land had flat roofs with outside stairs; a man on the housetop could flee without ever entering the rooms below. Jesus paints the day as one of instant decision: when it comes, do not go back inside for the "stuff."
The command exposes where hearts hide. What we cannot leave behind owns us, and the day of the Son of man will simply reveal what owned us all along. The next verse will name the warning example. The free are those already traveling light — holding possessions as stewards rather than captives, with nothing in the house worth a soul.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 17:31
What does Luke 17:31 mean?
On that day, no one on the housetop should go down for his belongings, and no one in the field should turn back.