Mark 13 15

Mark 13:15 kjv

And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:

Mark 13:15 nkjv

Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house.

Mark 13:15 niv

Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out.

Mark 13:15 esv

Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out,

Mark 13:15 nlt

A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack.

Mark 13 verses

Mark 13 15 Meaning

This verse issues a stark and urgent command for those witnessing a specific sign to flee immediately without pausing to gather any possessions. It instructs individuals on their housetops to not descend into their houses or enter them for any purpose of retrieving belongings. The message conveys an absolute prioritization of escape and personal safety over material wealth, emphasizing that even a momentary delay could be fatal.

Mark 13 15 Context

Mark chapter 13, often referred to as the "Olivet Discourse," presents Jesus' detailed prophecy regarding the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the broader signs leading up to the end times. The disciples, admiring the Temple's grandeur, prompted Jesus to speak about its coming desolation (Mk 13:1-4). Following a warning about deceptions (Mk 13:5-13), Jesus directly addresses the crucial moment for His followers in Judea in Mark 13:14: "But when you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains." Verse 15 immediately elaborates on this command to flee, underscoring the extreme urgency and dire circumstances that would necessitate such rapid departure. The context is twofold: a specific historical event (the Roman-Jewish War and destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70) and a prophetic pattern for future great tribulation.

Mark 13 15 Word analysis

• ὁ (ho) - "the one": The definite article points to a specific individual or group identified by their location, making the instruction highly personal and direct to those present at the indicated moment.
• ἐπὶ (epi) τοῦ δώματος (tou dōmatos) - "on the housetop":
  • ἐπὶ (epi): A preposition meaning "on," "upon," or "at."
  • δώματος (dōmatos): Genitive form of dōma, meaning "housetop" or "roof." Ancient houses in Judea had flat roofs used for various purposes including relaxation, escape, or prayer (cf. Acts 10:9). External stairs were common, allowing direct access from the street or courtyard to the roof without going through the main living areas. This phrase indicates someone already positioned on an elevated part of their dwelling, perhaps observing events or going about daily activities, who then sees the critical sign.
• μὴ (mē) καταβάτω (katabatō) - "let him not go down":
  • μὴ (mē): A prohibitive particle, conveying a strong, absolute negative command.
  • καταβάτω (katabatō): Third person singular aorist imperative of katabainō, meaning "to go down" or "to descend." This specific command implies not descending from the housetop into the house below. The immediacy of the peril forbids even a momentary diversion into the living space.
• μηδὲ (mēde) εἰσελθέτω (eiselthetō) - "nor let him enter":
  • μηδὲ (mēde): A strong negative conjunction, meaning "nor," "not even," intensifying the previous prohibition.
  • εἰσελθέτω (eiselthetō): Third person singular aorist imperative of eiserchomai, meaning "to go in," "to enter." This emphasizes that no one should even step foot inside the house, further stressing the absolute lack of time.
• τι (ti) ἆραι (arai) - "to take anything":
  • τι (ti): Indefinite pronoun, meaning "anything" or "something." The inclusiveness underscores that no possession, however valuable or trivial, is worth delaying escape.
  • ἆραι (arai): Aorist infinitive of airō, meaning "to lift," "to take up," "to carry away." This verb precisely describes the action of retrieving items.
• ἐκ (ek) τῆς (tēs) οἰκίας (oikias) αὐτοῦ (autou) - "out of his house":
  • ἐκ (ek): Preposition meaning "out of" or "from."
  • οἰκίας (oikias): Genitive of oikia, meaning "house," "dwelling," or "family household." Represents one's accumulated possessions, comfort, and security.
  • αὐτοῦ (autou): Possessive pronoun, "his," personalizing the house to the individual. This phrase completes the instruction, clarifying that the forbidden action is removing any possession from one's own home.
• Group of words analysis:
  • "ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δώματος μὴ καταβάτω" - "the one on the housetop let him not go down": This segment highlights the critical starting point of escape for those already in an advantageous position, emphasizing no deviation from their direct flight path. The immediate thought for someone on a roof during an alarm would be to descend into their house; Jesus explicitly forbids this.
  • "μηδὲ εἰσελθέτω τι ἆραι ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας αὐτοῦ" - "nor let him enter to take anything out of his house": This amplifies the prohibition, making it absolute. The slightest deviation, the intention to retrieve anything at all, is to be utterly avoided. It signifies that preserving physical life takes precedence over all material wealth and convenience.

Mark 13 15 Bonus section

The "housetop" (dōma) was a central feature of ancient Near Eastern homes, often providing a route of access and a space for daily activities. Jesus’ instruction is therefore extremely practical for the local context. The vivid imagery implies that the flight would be so rapid that taking even the shortest detour, a quick dash into the house, would be perilous. It showcases the severity of the coming "tribulation" as a period demanding decisive and instantaneous response, leaving no room for attachment to the world's passing securities. This specific command contrasts sharply with human nature's inclination to protect or gather one's assets in times of crisis, underscoring that human reason or natural instinct for self-preservation of wealth is overridden by the divine warning for ultimate safety.

Mark 13 15 Commentary

Mark 13:15, a concise but profoundly impactful verse, underscores the unparalleled urgency demanded by the impending cataclysm prophesied by Jesus. Following the alarming sign of "the abomination that causes desolation," immediate and unhesitating flight becomes paramount. The instruction for one on the housetop to not even enter their home to retrieve belongings paints a vivid picture of a situation so dire that every second counts. This command signifies a radical detachment from worldly possessions and an absolute prioritization of life and obedience to divine warning. It teaches that during times of great tribulation or judgment, material comforts and security must be entirely relinquished in favor of prompt faith-filled action. This principle applied both to the Christians fleeing Jerusalem before its destruction in AD 70 and stands as a timeless lesson on spiritual readiness, encouraging believers to hold earthly things lightly in anticipation of the Lord's return or any sudden crisis that may test their priorities.