Paragraph 17:34–37

For 17:34–35 see also Matthew 24:40–41. These verses indicate that some people who live and work close to one another will be separated at the time when Jesus returns.

17:34a

I tell you: The pronoun you is plural here. Jesus often used the words I tell you to introduce a statement that he wanted to emphasize. It indicates that the statement was important and that people should listen carefully to it. Some other ways to show this emphasis are:

let me tell you this
-or-
listen carefully to this:
-or-
I assure you

If you have another way in your language to emphasize a statement or to alert people to listen with special attention, consider using it here.

on that night: Here Jesus was referring back to what he said in 17:30 about the Son of Man being revealed (when he returns and everyone will see him). In some languages it may be better to use a different phrase to refer back to it. For example:

At that time ⌊when I return⌋
-or-
When ⌊I, the Son of Man, return⌋

two people will be in one bed: The Greek text does not say whether these two people are men or women, children or adults. A husband and wife, or two children, or any other two people might be in one bed. So use an expression for be in one bed that does not have sexual connotations. For example:

two ⌊family members⌋ will be ⌊sleeping⌋ in/on one bed

Jesus was not referring to any specific two people. He was saying that similar separations will happen all over the world when he returns.

17:34b

one will be taken and the other left: The verbs will be taken and left are passive. Here are some ways to translate these actions:

• Use passive verbs. For example:

one ⌊person⌋ will be taken and the other ⌊person⌋ will be left.

• Use active verbs and supply a subject. The subject may be either God or Jesus, since the clause refers to the time of Jesus’ coming. For example:

⌊God⌋ will take one ⌊of them⌋ and leave the other ⌊one⌋.
-or-

⌊I⌋ will take one person and leave the other person.

There are two ways to interpret the words One will be taken and the other left:

(1) The people who are taken will go to safety with Jesus. The people who are left will be punished. For example:

one will be taken away; the other will be left behind (Good News Translation)

(2) The people who are taken will go away to be punished. The people who are left will not endure that punishment. For example:

destruction will take one

It is recommended that you attempt to leave this ambiguous, as most English versions do. The point is that the righteous and wicked will suddenly be separated.

However, if you must decide between the interpretations, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most Bible scholars follow this interpretation. It fits the context of Noah and Lot, who were taken away to be safe while the other people were punished.

taken and…left: Note that the words taken and left refer to two opposite actions. In some languages it may be natural to use a conjunction that implies contrast. For example:

God will take one but will leave the other.

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