What is the meaning of Luke 17:26?

Just as it was in the days of Noah

• Genesis 6:5 records, “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth,” highlighting unrestrained evil that grieved God’s heart (Genesis 6:6).

• Daily life carried on as usual––people “were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage” (Luke 17:27). Normal routines lulled society into a false sense of security.

• 2 Peter 2:5 calls Noah “a preacher of righteousness,” yet the world ignored his warnings for 120 years (Genesis 6:3). Persistent disbelief left them unprepared for judgment.

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so also will it be

• Jesus draws a direct parallel: future humanity will mirror Noah’s generation in moral decline and spiritual indifference (Matthew 24:37–39).

• The phrase signals a predictable pattern: long-suffering patience from God (2 Peter 3:9) followed by sudden, decisive intervention (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

• Just as the ark provided the only means of escape, Christ Himself is the sole refuge from coming wrath (John 14:6; Hebrews 11:7).

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in the days of the Son of Man

• “Son of Man” is Jesus’ favorite messianic title, pointing to both His humanity (Daniel 7:13) and His authority to judge (John 5:22).

• These “days” culminate in His visible return (Acts 1:11). Earthly business will seem uninterrupted until He appears (Revelation 1:7).

• Believers are called to watchfulness, living holy and obedient lives while awaiting Him (Titus 2:11-13; 2 Peter 3:11-12).

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summary

Luke 17:26 warns that a complacent, sin-saturated world, oblivious to looming judgment, will again face sudden divine intervention when Jesus returns. As Noah trusted God and prepared an ark, we are urged to place unwavering faith in Christ, walk in righteousness, and remain alert for His coming.