Matthew 24 17

Matthew 24:17 kjv

Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

Matthew 24:17 nkjv

Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house.

Matthew 24:17 niv

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

Matthew 24:17 esv

Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house,

Matthew 24:17 nlt

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

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 17 Meaning

This verse from Jesus' Olivet Discourse serves as a stark warning to His followers in Judea regarding a future period of extreme danger and distress. It commands those who find themselves on the flat rooftops of their homes to not descend into the house to retrieve any possessions, but rather to flee immediately. The essence is urgent, immediate flight in the face of imminent peril, prioritizing life and safety above all material belongings.

Matthew 24 17 Context

Matthew chapter 24 is part of the Olivet Discourse, delivered by Jesus on the Mount of Olives in response to His disciples' questions about the destruction of the Temple and the sign of His coming and the end of the age. Verse 17 directly follows the command for those in Judea to "flee into the mountains" when they see "the abomination of desolation." Historically, many scholars link this immediate warning to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies in A.D. 70. Jesus emphasizes radical, urgent action to preserve life, conveying that during this specific period of immense tribulation, the pursuit or preservation of material possessions must be completely abandoned in favor of immediate physical escape. The urgency is paramount.

Matthew 24 17 Word analysis

• Let him which is on the housetop (Greek: ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δώματος, ho epi tou dōmatos):

  • δῶμα (dōma): Refers to the flat roof of a typical Middle Eastern house. These rooftops were commonly used for various daily activities like resting, cooling, sleeping, storage, and even prayer or refuge. Its elevated position meant it was often easily accessible for a quick exit over adjoining rooftops or by external stairways, without needing to re-enter the main dwelling.
  • Significance: The instruction implies a person is already in a state of watchful waiting or a common living scenario. Being on the rooftop also positions them ideally for a direct flight, avoiding internal obstacles.

• not come down (Greek: μὴ καταβῇ, mē katabē):

  • μὴ (mē): A strong prohibitive particle used with subjunctive verbs, emphasizing an absolute command or prohibition. It translates to "do not" or "by no means."
  • καταβῇ (katabē): "to descend, go down."
  • Significance: This is a direct, imperative negative command. It explicitly forbids the natural human instinct to go back into safety or familiarity to retrieve something.

• to take any thing (Greek: ἆραι τὰ ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας αὐτοῦ, arai ta ek tēs oikias autou):

  • ἆραι (arai): "to lift, take up, carry away."
  • τὰ ἐκ (ta ek): "the things out of."
  • οἰκίας (oikias): "house, dwelling."
  • Significance: The phrasing emphasizes that nothing should be retrieved. This underscores the extremity of the situation; there is absolutely no time for gathering even the most cherished possessions. The peril is so immediate that even a brief detour into one's own house is forbidden, as it would risk capture or death.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "Let him which is on the housetop not come down": This phrase captures the immediate context of flight from a specific, vulnerable location. It emphasizes not only urgency but also avoiding any movement that might slow down escape. The idea is to go forward, not back down or inside. This assumes a state of alertness and a readiness to respond immediately to the signs.
  • "not come down to take any thing out of his house": This phrase highlights the radical nature of the required action and the prioritization of life over possessions. It shows that even small delays for personal items would be fatal. This serves as a test of one's faith and priorities—whether one trusts God for survival and provision, or relies on worldly goods. It demands an abandonment of materialistic concerns when divine judgment is imminent.

Matthew 24 17 Bonus section

This specific instruction (along with verse 18 about one in the field) graphically illustrates the extreme haste required during the prophesied tribulation. The warning to "not come down" implies a perilous situation where even the few seconds to enter and grab something would be fatal. This immediate, non-negotiable flight is a stark contrast to how people normally react to danger, often seeking to protect or retrieve valuables. The command reveals a deep divine concern for the physical preservation of His people during judgment, requiring their obedient trust even when it defies common sense regarding personal property. It spiritually reminds believers that preparedness means readiness to let go of earthly security and to obey God's voice without hesitation.

Matthew 24 17 Commentary

Matthew 24:17 delivers a vivid and forceful directive, urging radical and instantaneous flight during a time of unprecedented tribulation. As part of the Olivet Discourse, it functions both as a specific historical warning for the believers facing the Roman siege of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and as a prophetic principle for future eschatological events. The image of a person on a rooftop refusing to re-enter their home highlights an ultimate commitment to preservation above material attachments. The command "not come down to take anything" conveys that the crisis will be so immediate and pervasive that any pause for earthly goods would compromise one's escape and likely result in destruction. This illustrates that, when God's definitive warnings appear, obedience must be instant and unwavering, even at the cost of every worldly possession. Spiritually, it underscores the need for detachment from temporal comforts and possessions, maintaining a readiness to forsake all for Christ's sake, especially in the face of judgment or pressing spiritual imperative. The believer's life and faithfulness are infinitely more valuable than any earthly treasure.