Matthew 24:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is beneficial, he states, if someone is saved even in a state of vulnerability. Consequently, he prohibits those atop the roof from going back into the house to retrieve their garments, illustrating the inescapability of wickedness and the profound calamity it entails, affirming that those who succumb to it are destined for ruin.

Anticipating the certainty of impending trials, the Lord instructs His followers to escape without looking back, disregarding possessions, clothing, or any other items left behind in their homes. Some theologians interpret the term ‘the abomination of desolation’ as referring to the Antichrist, who will emerge during the time of universal desolation, the ruin of the churches, and who will also establish himself in the temple. In this light, the directive to flee is perceived as an exhortation for those who have ascended to the summit of virtue—signifying a spiritual elevation—not to descend to gather material belongings, since the body serves as the dwelling place of the soul. We are called to abandon the field, symbolic of secular concerns, since the field represents our earthly existence; likewise, we should not reclaim the garment, representing the ancient sins and transgressions from which we have learned to turn away.

He who is on the rooftop... will not find salvation like before, for the Lord will lack compassion and regard for them.

The term "abomination of desolation" can also refer to any corrupt doctrine. When we witness it standing in a sacred place, specifically within the Church, and revealing God's presence, we ought to flee from the earthly confines of Judea to seek refuge in the heights of eternity, where the radiance of God shines splendidly, as noted in Psalm 75:5: "Thou art glorious, mightier than the mountains of predation." We should strive to dwell under that protective covering and in that holy abode that the fiery arrows of the adversary cannot penetrate, as stated in Psalm 115:5: "I will make my vows unto the Lord before all His people." We must not descend to retrieve any remnants from our previous life nor yearn for what lies behind us.

If the conclusion of the age and the return of Christ is near, why does the Lord instruct, "Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are on the rooftop not go down to take anything from their house, and let those who are in the field not return to fetch their cloak"? He also advises, "But pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. Woe to those who are with child and to those who are nursing in those days." Should the end come in summer, on a Sunday or Monday, can we truly hide or escape? Why does He mourn particularly for mothers and those with infants amid so many people gathering? Is it because they would find it especially challenging to care for their young, or because they might endure greater anguish?

The roof symbolizes the highest point of a home, representing the esteemed culmination of the entire structure. A house lacks existence without a roof. One who stands firmly upon the roof, representing the fulfillment of their being—renewed through spiritual rebirth, uplifted by the Holy Spirit, and perfected through the acceptance of divine grace—should resist the inner temptations of physical desires and avoid succumbing to the sinful longings for worldly pleasures, lest they fall from their elevated state. Likewise, the individual laboring in the fields should not look back to reclaim their old garments. This signifies that a person dedicated to obeying God's commandments must refrain from returning to former concerns or longing for physical attire, for doing so risks donning once more the tattered rags of sin that they had previously shed.

In your letter, you requested an explanation of the signs indicating profound need at the end of the age, as revealed by the Lord for our understanding; now, grasp their significance. Those dwelling in Judea should escape to the mountains. Those grounded in righteousness, which signifies Judea, should seek the highest sanctuary and guard themselves with their faith. If someone is on the roof, they should not descend to retrieve belongings from their home. The individual who has turned away from their earthly abode, who has elevated their life by casting aside worldly passions, must not be swayed by fear, carelessness, vanity, or a love for wealth; such distractions lead one away from their elevated state. For those in the fields, they should not return to fetch their clothing.

Let anyone who is on the roof not descend to retrieve anything from his home, even if it is the most essential garment; he should swiftly climb down the ladder from the roof to the ground; otherwise, his ruin is inevitable.

Do not hesitate for even a moment to escape; do not pause to collect life’s necessities. If someone is on the roof, flee without entering the house to retrieve anything. Likewise, if one is working in the field and has removed their outer garment, run without taking it with you. Bear in mind that these are the days of the Lord's judgment upon a disobedient nation, as foretold by the prophets.

"Whoever is on the roof": In Palestine, as well as in the broader Eastern context, rooftops were flat and served as practical spaces for walking and for privacy. Access to the rooftops was often provided through internal staircases, as well as external stairways leading directly to the street, allowing for a swift escape if needed. When calamity strikes, those on the roof must immediately flee without even entering their home for any reason, as their safety hangs in the balance. For this same reason, it is also stated that anyone in the field should not return to retrieve their cloak, emphasizing that if those within the house are escaping, those outside should be even more decisive in their flight (Chrysostom).