Les Feldick Bible Study

What did Jesus tell the wealthy people to do about their clothes when fleeing Jerusalem?

Jesus instructed the wealthy, well-to-do people not to stop and take their clothes out of the closet when fleeing Jerusalem. They were to leave expensive dresses and suits behind and not take time for them, because time would be of the essence in escaping danger.

Les explains that Jesus was referring to people who were probably quite well-to-do, no longer in the mainstream work force, and enjoying a life of relative ease. He told that remnant of Jews who would be in the exodus out of Jerusalem not to bother stopping to take their clothes out of the closet. The wealthy might have expensive dresses and suits and be tempted to say, “I can’t leave them behind,” but Jesus said if they were in that category, they should not take time for it, because time was going to be of the essence. In the following verse, working people in the field are likewise told not to return back to take their clothes, and young mothers with child are told it will be tough for them.

Matthew 24:17

Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

More Questions

Why did Jesus tell the wealthy class not to go back for their clothes when fleeing Jerusalem?

The wealthy would be more concerned about leaving expensive dresses and suits than about escaping danger, so Jesus told them not to take time for it because time would be of the essence.