Luke 17:28

Context: This verse is part of a passage in which Jesus is teaching His disciples about the coming of the kingdom of God. He uses various examples to illustrate the conditions and attitudes that will prevail before His return. In this particular verse, Jesus refers to the days of Lot, drawing a parallel between that time and the period preceding His second coming.

To understand the context fully, it’s helpful to read the surrounding verses as well. In Luke 17:26-30 (KJV), Jesus says: “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”

In these verses, Jesus draws a parallel between the days of Noah and the days of Lot, indicating that both periods will resemble the days leading up to His second coming. In both instances, people were engaged in everyday activities such as eating, drinking, marrying, and conducting business. Life carried on with seemingly normal routines, unaware of the impending judgment that was to come.

The mention of Lot specifically refers to the account recorded in Genesis 19. Lot was the nephew of Abraham and lived in the city of Sodom, which was known for its wickedness. The Lord decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to their great sin, but before doing so, He sent angels to rescue Lot and his family. The people of Sodom were preoccupied with their daily activities and were unaware of the impending judgment until it was too late.

By drawing this parallel, Jesus is cautioning His disciples and us as readers to be vigilant and spiritually prepared for His return. He emphasizes that just as people in the days of Noah and Lot were caught off guard by the sudden judgment, the same will happen when He is revealed.

This passage serves as a reminder that it’s important for believers to maintain a state of spiritual readiness, being watchful and living in obedience to God’s commandments. It is easy to become consumed by the affairs of daily life and lose sight of the eternal perspective. Jesus encourages His followers to be spiritually alert, recognizing the signs of the times and eagerly awaiting His return.