Meaning of Luke 17:35

This verse, spoken by Jesus, describes a scene of ordinary, daily life — women grinding grain together — to illustrate a profound and abrupt separation that will occur at a future, undisclosed time. The "taking" and "leaving" signifies a divine judgment where individuals will be separated based on their spiritual state and readiness for God's kingdom. This is not a judgment of mere physical location or social standing, but a spiritual discernment, highlighting the unexpected nature of God's intervention and the necessity of constant preparedness. The stark contrast between the two women engaged in the same mundane activity, yet experiencing vastly different eternal destinies, underscores the seriousness of Jesus' message about the coming judgment.

Context and Background

Jesus delivers this statement in response to a question from the Pharisees about when the "kingdom of God would come" (Luke 17:20). Jesus explains that the coming of the kingdom will not be with observable signs that can be tracked or announced, but rather it is "in your midst" (Luke 17:21). He then shifts to describing the days of Noah, where people were unaware of the impending destruction until the flood came and took them all away (Luke 17:26-27), and the days of Lot, where wickedness led to divine judgment that separated the righteous from the unrighteous (Luke 17:28-30). The verse in question serves as a direct parallel to these examples, emphasizing the suddenness and discriminative nature of the judgment. The act of grinding grain was a common chore, typically performed by women, often cooperatively, using quern-stones. This relatable, domestic scene makes the subsequent separation all the more impactful.

Key Themes and Messages

• Suddenness of Judgment: The primary message is that the coming judgment, whether referring to the destruction of Jerusalem or the ultimate return of Christ, will be unexpected. People will be engaged in their normal routines, and the separation will be instantaneous.
• Spiritual Discernment: The verse highlights that God's judgment is not based on outward appearances or group affiliation, but on an individual's inner spiritual condition. The "taking" implies being received into God's favor or kingdom, while the "leaving" signifies being left behind to face judgment.
• Call to Readiness: Implicitly, this passage serves as a strong exhortation to be constantly prepared for the Lord's return or for the end of the current age. Complacency is dangerous.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The spiritual significance lies in the stark reminder that life's mundane activities will be interrupted by divine accounting. For believers, this verse calls for unwavering faith, consistent obedience, and active anticipation of Christ's return. It encourages a life lived in a state of spiritual readiness, where one is not caught off guard by God's intervention. The application is to live each day with an awareness of eternity, prioritizing one's relationship with God above all else, so that when the time of separation comes, one is among those who are "taken" into His presence.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This teaching aligns with Jesus' broader eschatological discourse, particularly concerning the signs of the end times and the final judgment. It echoes the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), where five were wise and prepared with oil for their lamps, and five were foolish and unprepared, being shut out from the wedding feast. It also foreshadows the separation of the sheep from the goats described in Matthew 25:31-46, where the Son of Man will separate people based on their treatment of the least of His brethren. The concept of a discerning judgment is a recurring theme from the Old Testament prophets to the New Testament apostles, culminating in the final judgment described in Revelation.

Analogies

• A Sudden Storm: Imagine two people walking together on a clear day. Suddenly, a violent storm erupts. One person has sought shelter and is safe, while the other, caught unprepared, is swept away.
• A Train Departure: Two individuals are waiting at a train station for a train to a distant destination. The train arrives unexpectedly early for one, who boards and departs, leaving the other behind, perhaps because they were not ready or had the wrong ticket.
• A Flood: Similar to the days of Noah, a flood rises. One person has heeded warnings and is on an ark, while the other remains on dry land, unaware of the imminent danger until it is too late.

Relation to Other Verses

• Matthew 24:40-41: "Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and the other left." This is a parallel passage in Matthew that conveys the same imagery and message.
• Luke 12:39-40: "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not let his house be broken into. You also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." This emphasizes the unexpected nature of Christ's coming, reinforcing the urgency of readiness.
• Revelation 20:12-15: This passage describes the final judgment where books are opened, and people are judged according to their deeds, leading to eternal life or eternal punishment, illustrating the ultimate outcome of the separation described in Luke 17.