Matthew 24:17

The one on the roof ¹  must not come down ²  to take anything out of his house,

De 22:8; Job 2:4; Pr 6:4,5; Mt 6:25; Mt 10:27; Mr 13:15,16; Lu 17:31-33

¹ sn On the roof. Most of the roofs in the NT were flat roofs made of pounded dirt, sometimes mixed with lime or stones, supported by heavy wooden beams. They generally had an easy means of access, either a sturdy wooden ladder or stone stairway, sometimes on the outside of the house.

² sn The swiftness and devastation of the judgment will require a swift escape. There will be no time to come down from the roof and pick up anything from inside one’s home.