and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just about fleeing danger; it highlights the immediacy required for survival. Jesus emphasizes that even something as basic as a lost outer garment—which would have been removed for work—is less important than escaping with your life. The urgency demands shedding all earthly attachments and comforts, a stark reminder that in moments of divine judgment, nothing can be held onto.
and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is detailing the signs and consequences of Jerusalem's impending destruction, urging his followers to be vigilant and to flee when they see the "abomination of desolation" appear. This specific instruction, to not even turn back for one's outer garment, emphasizes the urgency and totality of the catastrophe that will sweep through Judea. The flight must be immediate and without any delay for possessions, highlighting the overwhelming nature of the tribulation to come.
Imagine you're working in your field, focused on your task. Suddenly, you get a warning: danger is imminent! What do you grab? This verse gives a stark command.
Jesus’ instructions here aren't about packing efficiently; they are about absolute, immediate escape. The command, 'let not him who is in the field return to take his cloak,' emphasizes that there is no time for anything beyond fleeing for your life.
Why such a frantic escape? This command is directly linked to a prophecy Jesus cites, pointing to a specific, devastating event in Jerusalem's history.
Jesus is referencing the prophecy of the 'abomination of desolation' spoken of by Daniel. This refers to a future event involving the desecration of the Temple in Jerusalem, signaling the beginning of a period of immense destruction.
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Understand the original words
agrō · Greek Noun
An agricultural space or open land, frequently used in the Bible as a setting for labor, judgment, or the harvest of the nations.
himation · Greek Noun
A loose-fitting outer garment worn by both men and women, essential for warmth, protection, and social identification in the ancient Near East.
This instruction to flee immediately without retrieving belongings highlights the sudden and devastating nature of the Roman siege of Jerusalem, emphasizing that survival depended on swift, unencumbered escape.
c. 4 BC
Herod the Great Dies
The death of Herod the Great leads to a fractured Judea, increasing unrest and Roman military presence.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, a foundational prophecy for the disciples' understanding.
c. AD 62
Festus Replaces Felix as Procurator
The tumultuous governance of Judea continues, marked by significant social and political tension.
AD 66
Jewish Revolt Begins
The First Jewish–Roman War erupts, initiating a period of intense conflict and upheaval across Judea.
AD 67-68
Roman Legions Invade Galilee
Under Vespasian, Roman forces launch a systematic campaign, crushing Galilean resistance and moving towards Jerusalem.
AD 70— this verse
Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem
Roman armies under Titus besiege Jerusalem, culminating in the city's catastrophic destruction and the Temple's razing.
This passage echoes Jesus' instruction for immediate flight, emphasizing that even the most mundane possessions, like a cloak, should be left behind in the urgency of escape, mirroring the instruction in Matthew 24:18.
Jeremiah 48:6Similar to Matthew 24:18's warning against turning back for essentials, Jeremiah urges the Moabites to flee without looking back, highlighting the catastrophic nature of the impending judgment and the need for immediate departure.
Deuteronomy 28:30This Old Testament passage describes the devastating consequences of disobedience, including the loss of possessions and the inability to retrieve them, which aligns with the urgency and drastic measures described in Matthew 24:18.
Ezekiel 7:16This verse speaks of survivors fleeing and mourning like doves in the valleys, emphasizing their distress and the inability to comfort themselves with possessions, reflecting the spirit of leaving everything behind as commanded in Matthew 24:18.
barnesMatthew 24:18: "Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes."
Return back to take his clothes - His clothes which, in "working," He had laid aside, or which, in fleeing, he should throw off as an encumbrance. "Clothes" here means the "outer" garment, commonly laid aside when men worked or ran. See the notes at Matthew 5:40 . These directions were followed. It is said that the Christians, warned by these predictions, fled from Jerusalem to Pella, and other places beyond…
calvinMatthew 24:15-28: "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)"
- When therefore you shall see the abomination of desolation, which is described by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, (let him that readeth understand,) 16. Then let them who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17. Let not him who is on the housetop go down to carry anything out of his house; 18. And let not…
This verse isn't just about fleeing danger; it highlights the immediacy required for survival. Jesus emphasizes that even something as basic as a lost outer garment—which would have been removed for work—is less important than escaping with your life. The urgency demands shedding all earthly attachments and comforts, a stark reminder that in moments of divine judgment, nothing can be held onto.
Jesus is detailing the signs and consequences of Jerusalem's impending destruction, urging his followers to be vigilant and to flee when they see the "abomination of desolation" appear. This specific instruction, to not even turn back for one's outer garment, emphasizes the urgency and totality of the catastrophe that will sweep through Judea. The flight must be immediate and without any delay for possessions, highlighting the overwhelming nature of the tribulation to come.
Jesus is detailing the signs and consequences of Jerusalem's impending destruction, urging his followers to be vigilant and to flee when they see the "abomination of desolation" appear. This specific instruction, to not even turn back for one's outer garment, emphasizes the urgency and totality of the catastrophe that will sweep through Judea. The flight must be immediate and without any delay for possessions, highlighting the overwhelming nature of the tribulation to come.
"and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak." — This verse isn't just about fleeing danger; it highlights the immediacy required for survival. Jesus emphasizes that even something as basic as a lost outer garment—which would have been removed fo…
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Last reviewed October 2026