New Testament
Luke 17:26
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, Jesus compares His future return to the time of Noah.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
When the Son of Man returns, it will be just like it was in the days of Noah.
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus compares His future return to the time of Noah. During Noah's days, people were living their everyday lives, eating, drinking, marrying, and ignoring the warnings of impending judgment. They were unaware of the flood that was about to come until it was too late. This comparison serves as a warning that when Jesus returns, many will be caught off guard, just as the people in Noah's time were. The emphasis is on the suddenness and unexpected nature of His return. It highlights the importance of being spiritually prepared and aware of the signs of the times. Just as Noah was faithful and prepared, believers are encouraged to live righteously and remain vigilant, as the return of the Son of Man will come unexpectedly, and readiness is crucial for salvation.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 17:26 to your life
This verse encourages us to live with a sense of urgency and awareness of Christ's return. We should not be complacent in our daily lives but instead remain vigilant and faithful, just as Noah did. Engaging in spiritual practices and sharing the message of hope can help us and others be prepared for His coming.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 17:26 mean?
Luke 17:26 means that the return of Jesus will be similar to the days of Noah, where people were unaware of the impending judgment. It highlights the suddenness of His return and the need for people to be spiritually prepared.
What is the significance of the days of Noah in Luke 17:26?
The days of Noah signify a time when people were living normally and ignoring warnings of disaster. This serves as a warning that many will be caught off guard at the return of Christ, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and readiness.
How does Luke 17:26 relate to being prepared for Christ's return?
Luke 17:26 relates to being prepared by illustrating that just as people in Noah's time were unprepared for judgment, many today may also be unready for Christ's return. It stresses the importance of living righteously and staying vigilant.
What lessons can we learn from Luke 17:26?
From Luke 17:26, we learn the importance of spiritual preparedness and the urgency of living a faithful life. It reminds us that we should not be complacent but actively engage in our faith as we await Christ's return.

The Book of Luke
Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.
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