Who is represented by the person working in the field in verse 18?
The person working in the field represents the working class—younger people, roughly ages 25 and older, still employed in common everyday tasks. They are distinguished from the wealthy who are retired or at ease. Jesus tells this group not to turn back for clothes or possessions but to flee to the mountains when the temple is defiled.
Les explains that verse 18 addresses a different class than the wealthy mentioned earlier. The person in the field represents working people, probably younger people between 25 and whatever age, who are still out there working every day doing the common everyday tasks of life. To that class, Jesus says not to turn back to take anything out of their house or clothes. Wherever they are working, when they hear the temple has been defiled, they should move out to the mountains if they want to escape. This contrasts with the well-to-do who might be concerned about expensive clothes.