Luke 17:36
Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Original Language Analysis
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγρῷ·
the field
G68
ἀγρῷ·
the field
Strong's:
G68
Word #:
5 of 12
a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e., hamlet
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραληφθήσεται,
shall be taken
G3880
παραληφθήσεται,
shall be taken
Strong's:
G3880
Word #:
8 of 12
to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Field labor (plowing, harvesting, shepherding) was primary male occupation in agrarian first-century Palestine. If this verse is original, Jesus covers all sectors of society: domestic (bed), women's labor (grinding), men's labor (field). The textual uncertainty doesn't affect the passage's overall message: Christ's return brings sudden, comprehensive, final separation based on hidden spiritual realities.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you live with awareness that normal activities could be interrupted at any moment by Christ's return?
- What does separation based on heart condition rather than external circumstances teach about the nature of saving faith?
- Are you living today in a way you'd want Christ to find you if he returned this instant?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left (δύο ἔσονται ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ, ὁ εἷς παραλημφθήσεται καὶ ὁ ἕτερος ἀφεθήσεται)—Jesus provides a third example: two men en tō agrō (in the field), one taken, one left. Note: this verse doesn't appear in earliest Greek manuscripts and may be a later scribal addition harmonizing with Matthew 24:40. Whether original or not, it continues the pattern: identical external circumstances, opposite eternal destinies.
The agricultural setting represents men's labor parallel to women's domestic labor (v.35). If authentic, it emphasizes the comprehensiveness of eschatological separation—no sphere of human activity escapes judgment. The Second Coming discriminates based on internal relationship with Christ, not external religious performance or moral respectability.