Paragraph 17:26–27
For background, see Genesis chapters 6 and 7. During the time of Noah before the flood, people were busy living their normal lives. They were not thinking about God. Then God punished them with a flood. Only Noah and his family were prepared and survived the flood. The time before the Messiah returns will be similar in that way to the time of Noah. Most people will not be thinking about God. They will not know that he is about to punish them. You may also want to refer to the parallel verses in Matthew 24:37–39.
17:26a–b
Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: This verse indicates that the time just before Jesus returns to earth in the future will be like the time of Noah. In the next verse Jesus explained in what way it will be like that time.
See the General Comment on 17:26a–b below for a suggestion about changing the order of clauses in this verse.
Just as it was…so also will it be: As the next verse makes clear, Jesus was comparing the way people behaved in the days of Noah and the way people will behave during the days of the Son of Man. In some languages it may be necessary to make the meaning more explicit. For example:
Just as people were ⌊acting/behaving⌋…so they will ⌊act/behave⌋
the days of Noah: The phrase the days of Noah refers to the time thousands of years ago when Noah lived. The context clarifies that it refers specifically to the time just before the flood occurred. You may need to refer to this time more specifically in your language. For example:
in the time of Noah ⌊long ago⌋ ⌊before the flood had occurred⌋
the days of the Son of Man: The phrase the days of the Son of Man refers to the time period just before the Son of Man returns. See the note at 17:22a–b for suggestions on how to translate the phrase Son of Man.
General Comment on 17:26a–b
In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of clauses in this verse. For example:
26bWhen the Son of Man comes again, 26athe situation will be like the time of Noah. (God’s Word)
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