Note 9 at Lk. 17:34: There has been much confusion over these few verses. Some say that the ones who are taken are spared the judgment that the others experience, just as with Noah (Lk. 17:26) and Lot (Lk. 17:28). Others say that it is the ungodly who are taken away in judgment and destroyed, and that the godly people are the ones who are left, as in the case of Noah and Lot.

Because of the illustration in verse 37, it is probable that Jesus was speaking of the godly being taken away and the others being left to suffer God's judgment. One point that everyone can agree on is that Jesus is saying that the godly will be spared and the evil will be punished (see note 10 at Lk. 17:37, below).