They were eating, etc. The Lord describes the reckless way in which men went on their usual course, pursued their pleasures and avocations, with the doom. hanging over them, in spite of the warning given.
The word for "eating" ( τρω ìγοντες) implies the idea of gnawing food greedily like an animal, hence eating gluttonously. They had learned to drink to excess long before Lot's time (Genesis 9:20, Genesis 9:21).
The periphrastic form of expression, ἦσαν τρω ìγοντες … πι ìνοντες, denotes not a single act, but habitude. Until the day. Though they had watched Noah building the ark, and heard him preach righteousness for many a year, they took no heed.
It must be observed that Christ here confirms the historical accuracy of this episode in Genesis.