New Testament
Luke 17:28
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 the time before His return to the days of Lot, a biblical figure known for living in the city of Sodom.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
It will be the same as it was in the days of Lot. People were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, and building—
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus compares the time before His return to the days of Lot, a biblical figure known for living in the city of Sodom. During Lot's time, people were engaged in everyday activities like eating, drinking, buying, and selling, completely unaware of the impending judgment that was about to come upon them. This serves as a warning that life can be consumed by routine and distractions, leading people to ignore spiritual truths and the reality of God's judgment. Just as Sodom was destroyed due to its wickedness, Jesus emphasizes that His return will catch many off guard, as they will be preoccupied with their daily lives. The verse highlights the importance of being spiritually alert and prepared, as the suddenness of His return will be similar to the unexpected destruction that befell Sodom. It reminds believers to focus on their relationship with God and to remain vigilant in their faith, rather than getting lost in the busyness of life.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 17:28 to your life
This verse encourages us to evaluate our daily routines and priorities. Are we so caught up in our activities that we neglect our spiritual lives? We should strive to maintain a balance, ensuring that we remain alert and prepared for Christ's return, focusing on our faith amidst life's distractions.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 17:28 mean?
Luke 17:28 compares the days before Jesus' return to the days of Lot, highlighting how people were engaged in everyday activities without awareness of the impending judgment. It serves as a warning to remain spiritually alert and prepared for Christ's return.
What is the significance of the days of Lot in Luke 17:28?
The days of Lot are significant because they illustrate how people were preoccupied with daily life, ignoring the consequences of their actions. This comparison emphasizes the need for vigilance and awareness of spiritual truths amid life's distractions.
How does Luke 17:28 relate to judgment?
Luke 17:28 relates to judgment by showing that just as Sodom faced destruction due to its wickedness, people today may face similar consequences if they ignore spiritual truths while consumed by daily routines.
What lessons can we learn from Luke 17:28?
From Luke 17:28, we learn the importance of balancing our daily activities with spiritual awareness. It encourages us to evaluate our priorities and remain vigilant in our faith, ensuring we are prepared for 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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