Matthew 24:17 - Printer Friendly

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

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

NASB: Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get things out of his house.

CSB: A man on the housetop must not come down to get things out of his house,

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

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

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

The disciples have asked Jesus when certain events will happen (Matthew 24:3). In part, they are asking about His prediction of a destroyed temple (Matthew 24:2), as well as the moment in time when He will return to set up His earthly kingdom. Part of His answer involved a terrible moment, referred to in the prophecies of Daniel (Daniel 8:13; 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). Some terrible violation of God's holiness and law, an abomination, would be brought into the temple and the desolation of the temple would follow (Matthew 24:15).

Scholars of Jesus' day often thought this event occurred in 167 BC, when an evil ruler sacrificed pigs in the temple. However, Jesus is speaking of an event which had not yet happened. This has led to speculation that fulfillment happened when priests were murdered in the temple as part of a Jewish rebellion against Rome in AD 70. That ended with the destruction of Jerusalem and the obliteration of the temple. However, the context of the end times (Matthew 24:14) and the world-threatening level of danger this event signals (Matthew 24:21–22) implies this is an event which will occur very near to the second coming of Christ (Revelation 19:11–15).

Those who see this event are told to run for their lives. The danger of this moment is underscored in how urgently Jesus frames this advice. Rooftops of this time were flat and used as outdoor livings spaces. Someone could easily jump down from a low roof or perhaps run from rooftop to rooftop to move quickly through the city, rather than go down into the house to gather belongings.

Matthew 24:15–28 begins with a warning to all in Jerusalem to flee to the mountains when the abomination that will bring desolation to the temple stands in the holy place. This will be a terrible time, especially for those who are particularly vulnerable. That tribulation will be worse than anything ever, though another tribulation will come right before Jesus' return. It will be cut short to save some of humanity and for the sake of the elect, all those who truly believe in Christ. When He returns, everyone will know.

Jesus makes a dire prediction about the destruction of the temple. Immediately after this, while seated on the Mount of Olives, Jesus responds to a question from the disciples. They ask when judgment will come and what signs will signal His return. Christ describes a season of unimaginable world turmoil and persecution. He points to a specific moment of defilement of the temple, at which point people should run for their lives. Jesus speaks of world-threatening tribulation which will be cut short right before He returns as King and Judge. Since nobody can possibly know when He will return, His followers must live in readiness.

Jesus has just left the temple area, after delivering a blistering criticism of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23). After predicting that the temple would be destroyed, He answers their questions about the end times. He speaks of a period when He will be gone from earth and they will be persecuted and killed. The world will be in turmoil, but the gospel will be preached everywhere. Nobody knows exactly when Jesus' return will be completed, so his followers should constantly be prepared. Jesus continues to teach on these themes in the next chapter.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.