Paragraph 17:31–33
In this paragraph Jesus told his disciples that they must not delay to take any of their possessions when he returns. There are two ways to interpret this instruction:
(1) Jesus was speaking in a figurative way. He warned that a person must not be concerned about possessions when he (Jesus) returns.
(2) Jesus was speaking literally. Jesus warned that they must not delay to take their possessions, but instead, they must flee from danger that is coming.
English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you also translate in an ambiguous way so that either interpretation may be understood. If that is not possible, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This context in Luke is different from the one in Mark, where Jesus’ disciples should flee from the destruction of Jerusalem. Here in Luke, Jesus is returning, and no one can run from him.
17:31a–b
On that day: The phrase On that day refers to the day when God reveals the Son of Man, mentioned in the previous verse. Another way to translate it is:
When that happens
let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions: Here Jesus warned his disciples that no one who is on his roof should go back into his house to get any of his possessions. Someone who was on a roof would in fact have to come down, but he should not go back into his house to get anything. Be sure to make this clear in your translation. For example:
a person who is on the roof should not go down into his house to get any of his things from there
on the housetop: The Jews built houses with flat roofs and stairs on the outside. They liked to sit and talk or rest on the roof, especially in the late afternoon when it was cool. These flat roofs were also mentioned in 5:19 and 12:3. Refer to your translation of those verses.
to retrieve his possessions: The phrase to retrieve his possessions is literally “and his possessions in the house.” It refers to someone whose belongings are not with him on the roof but are inside the house. The Berean Standard Bible translates this phrase in a way that describes why a person would “come down” from the roof and go inside the house. Another way to translate this is:
go down into the house to pack (New Living Translation (2004))
possessions: The word possessions includes anything in the house, for example, household furnishings, clothing, food, and other possessions.
17:31c
Likewise: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Likewise means “in the same way.” The person on his roof should not get his things out of his house (17:31a–b). In the same way, the person in the field should not go back to get his things.
let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind: This clause indicates that a person should not take the time to go back to his house. He should not delay at all. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the words for anything, which are not in the Greek text. Other ways to translate the clause are:
anyone who is out in the field must not go back to the house (Good News Translation)
-or-
A person who is in the field should not go back home. (New Century Version)
no one in the field: The phrase no one in the field refers to anyone working out in the fields or farms. These fields would be some distance from the cities or towns.
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