In this article we discuss how Jesus dealt with an important question about the Kingdom of God. He was on his way toward Jerusalem with his students, teaching about discipleship, forgiveness, and God’s kingdom.
“… Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, “Look, here it is,” or “There it is,” because the kingdom of God is in your midst.’” Luke 17:20-21.
Let’s have a close look at this passage focusing on historical context, literary structure, themes and practical significance.
The audience were Pharisees and Jesus’ students (his disciples). Pharisees were Jewish leaders who were focused on ritual purity and expectations and the coming of Messiah. Their question reflected current Jewish apocalyptic hopes for a visible, political kingdom to overthrow Roman oppression. They expected dramatic signs (e.g., cosmic upheaval).
Jesus’ response was a correction to their thinking. The coming kingdom is “Not something that can be observed” (Greek: ou parakolouthetai). The kingdom’s arrival isn’t detectable through human calculation or spectacular events. It subverts expectations of a military revolt or public spectacle.
Thus it is a gross mistake for us today to expect the kingdom or its coming king Jesus to be something you can optically observe. What you can observe is its wonderful effects. Its results.
In this encounter Jesus redirects the listeners focus from “when?” to “how” the kingdom manifests. It’s about God’s authority, not human timelines.
“The Kingdom of God is in your midst” (Greek: entos hymōn): this is famously tricky. Older translations like the King James Version’s “within you” has sparked debates among scholars. There are two possible meanings:
Among you (relational): The kingdom is present where Jesus is, His ministry, miracles and presence.
Within you (internal): The kingdom transforms hearts e.g., repentance, faith. Luke 11:20 says:
If I am casting out demons by the power of God then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.
Scholarly consensus leans toward among you but it is both—Jesus embodies the kingdom’s arrival. The coming kingdom is already active but it is hidden in humility in Jesus. It is seen in Jesus’ healing, teaching, and sacrificial mission. The kingdom is both present “in your midst” and future. Jesus initiates it already in his earthly ministry. But its fullness awaits his return a second time—see more below.
In the kingdom of God, Jesus’ divine sovereignty transcends political and geographic boundaries. Jesus answered Pilate saying, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” (John 18:36).
True power lies in servant-hood, not conquest. “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves. (Luke 22:25–27)
We can explore how this connects to other kingdom passages.
Matthew 13 has many parables about the Kingdom of Heaven. The disciples asked Jesus why he always spoke in parables. Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. Mat 13:11.
‘Mysteries’ refers to divine truths that were previously hidden but are now revealed through Jesus Christ, particularly to his disciples. This term (Greek: mysterion) does not mean things inherently puzzling. These are truths that were kept secret from the foundation of the world and are now disclosed to those who are receptive. These mysteries pertain to the nature, present form, and future fulfilment of God’s sovereign rule, the Kingdom of God which Jesus began to unveil after his rejection by the religious leaders of Israel.
In Matthew 13:37-43 Jesus explained the parable of weeds to the disciples “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks and those who commit lawlessness, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. The one who has ears, let him hear”.
Mark 1:14-15 says Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” The phrase ‘at hand’ (Greek engizō) strongly emphasizes closeness, soon, about to happen. It is urgent that his hearers repent and believe!
In John 3:3,5 we read Jesus said to the great teacher Nicodemus ‘unless you are born of the spirit you cannot see the Kingdom of God.’ The kingdom is within and unseen but its dramatic power is seen.
God’s reign, the Kingdom of God, is found where Christ is proclaimed, the Spirit transforms lives, and justice and mercy are practiced by his followers. Paul wrote for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17).
Jesus redefines the kingdom of God as a present reality centred on His person and work. It is not a future event. It operates subtly today through faith, repentance, and divine authority—already “among” those who receive Him. This invites us to participate in God’s reign through humility, service, and attentive faith, especially since He has already come in the first century and the Kingdom of God has now fully come!
I have shown in my many articles on this blog that Jesus has already come a second time as He promised (Mat 10:23, 16:27-28, 24:32-34). He came at ‘the end of the age’ (Mat 13:37-43)i.e., the end of the Mosaic age when the Jerusalem temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD—in ‘the wrath to come’.
That wrath surely came in 70 AD fulfilling the baptiser’s words when Jesus came again in 70 AD just as He promised!
7 But when he [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? . . . . . . . The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 . . . . . . He who is coming after me is mightier than I . . . . . His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Mat 3:7-12)
Come on Prove me wrong!
Ian Thomson 