The Coming of the Kingdom (Luke 17:20-37)
What Did Jesus Teach about the Coming of the Kingdom of God?
The discussion in Luke 17:20-37 centers on the coming of the kingdom of God. Jesus responds to a question from the Pharisees about when the kingdom will arrive and then turns to his disciples to teach about the nature of his return. He challenges expectations of a visible, political kingdom and warns of the suddenness and finality of his second coming.
Introduction
In Luke 17:20-37, Jesus corrects misconceptions about the kingdom of God and offers a stark warning about his return. The Pharisees, expecting a kingdom marked by power and spectacle, ask when it will come. Jesus responds that the kingdom is already present in their midst. Shifting to his disciples, he describes the days of the Son of Man—his future return—as sudden and unmistakable, comparing it to the days of Noah and Lot. His teaching urges readiness, faithfulness, and a detachment from earthly concerns.
Read more, “Why is Jesus Called Son of God and Son of Man?”
Verse by Verse Breakdown of Luke 17:20-37 and Commentary
Luke 17:20-21
"Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, 'The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There it is!" For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.'"
The Pharisees assumed the kingdom of God would arrive in a visible, political form—perhaps overthrowing Roman rule. Jesus dismantles this expectation. The phrase "not coming with things that can be observed" suggests that the kingdom does not begin with external signs but is already present in Jesus' ministry. The phrase "among you" (or "within you" in some translations) is key: Jesus, the King, is in their midst, and through him, the reign of God has already begun.
Jesus’ response in Luke 17:20-21 challenges the Pharisees’ expectations of the kingdom of God as a dramatic, outward spectacle. They likely envisioned a kingdom marked by political upheaval, possibly expelling Roman rule and restoring Israel’s national glory. Instead, Jesus redirects their attention away from external signs, emphasizing that the kingdom is not something that will arrive with visible markers.
The phrase “the kingdom of God is among you” (or “within you” in some translations) is crucial. The Greek phrase entos humon can mean “within” or “among,” and scholars debate whether Jesus is referring to an inward, spiritual reality or his own presence as the embodiment of God’s rule. Given the context—Jesus speaking to the Pharisees, who were not his disciples—it is more likely that he means “among you.” That is, the kingdom is already present in his ministry, not waiting for some distant arrival.
Dallas Willard, N.T. Wright, and others emphasize that the kingdom of God is not a far-off reality but something breaking into the present. Willard, in particular, describes it as the range of God’s effective will—where what God wants done is done. Jesus is not merely announcing a future kingdom; he is inaugurating it through his teaching, miracles, and ultimately, his death and resurrection. The Pharisees, fixated on external signs, fail to recognize that the kingdom is standing before them in the person of Christ.
Luke 17:22-25
"Then he said to the disciples, 'The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, "Look there!" or "Look here!" Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation.'"
Jesus’ words in Luke 17:22-25 are both a warning and a reassurance to his disciples. He acknowledges that there will come a time when they will deeply long for his presence—perhaps in the face of persecution, confusion, or the apparent triumph of evil in the world. The phrase “one of the days of the Son of Man” suggests a yearning for the days when Jesus walked among them, or possibly for his future return to set all things right. This longing would be sharpened by suffering and trials, reinforcing their need for faith and perseverance.
In this context, Jesus issues a stern warning: false claims about his return will arise. People will say, “Look there!” or “Look here!”—trying to convince others that the Messiah has returned in some secret, hidden way. But Jesus instructs his followers not to be deceived or to chase after such claims. This warning echoes similar cautions in Matthew 24:23-26, where he warns against false messiahs and misleading signs. The history of Christianity bears witness to the truth of this prophecy, as various individuals and movements have claimed to know the time or location of Jesus’ return, leading many astray.
Jesus clarifies that his coming will not be a secretive or localized event. Instead, it will be as unmistakable as a bolt of lightning flashing across the sky. The imagery of lightning is powerful—sudden, brilliant, and visible to all. This contrasts sharply with the idea that his return could be hidden or confined to a specific place. Just as no one misses a sky-wide lightning flash, no one will miss the day of the Son of Man. his return will be global and undeniable, not whispered in secret but revealed in glory
However, before this climactic event, Jesus reminds his disciples of a necessary and painful reality: “But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation.” This statement reinforces the messianic pattern of suffering before glory, which aligns with Old Testament prophecies such as Isaiah 53, where the Servant of God is described as being “despised and rejected by others, a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity” (Isaiah 53:3, NRSV). Jesus’ path to kingship does not bypass the cross—his rejection and suffering are essential to his mission.
This passage, then, serves as both a prophetic outline and a call to faithfulness. Jesus assures his disciples that his return will be unmistakable, but they must not be deceived in the meantime. They will long for his presence and face trials, but they must stand firm, remembering that suffering precedes glory. His rejection by “this generation” is not a detour from his mission but the very road to redemption. For believers today, this passage is a reminder to remain watchful, steadfast, and grounded in truth, resisting the allure of speculative end-times predictions while holding fast to the certainty of Christ’s return.
Luke 17:26-30
"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them—it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed."
Jesus compares his return to the days of Noah and Lot—times when people were living life as usual, oblivious to impending judgment. The common thread in both examples is not extraordinary sinfulness but normalcy. People were engaged in daily life, unaware of the catastrophe about to unfold. When Jesus returns, it will be sudden and decisive.
Luke 17:31-33
"On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it."
Jesus warns against attachment to earthly possessions. The example of Lot’s wife, who looked back at Sodom and turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26), serves as a warning against divided loyalties. The urgency of his return means there will be no time for hesitation or second thoughts. Those who try to cling to their earthly lives will lose their true life, while those who willingly surrender all for Christ will gain eternal life.
Interpreting Luke 17:34-37: Who is Taken, and Who is Left?
"I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.' Then they asked him, 'Where, Lord?' He said to them, 'Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.'"
Jesus’ words here have sparked a range of interpretations, and the imagery he uses carries deep theological weight. Some hear echoes of the rapture, while others see a warning of judgment. So, what’s going on?
1. A Sudden and Final Division
Jesus paints a scene of separation—two people in the same setting, yet one is taken, and the other is left. This recalls his earlier warning that his return will be like lightning flashing across the sky (Luke 17:24). The key question is: Does “taken” mean rescued or judged?
• One view sees “taken” as salvation. This fits with passages like Matthew 24:31, where Jesus describes angels gathering the elect. Darrell Bock argues that being taken here could mean being gathered to Christ, much like the righteous in Noah’s day who were spared the flood (Luke, 2:1442).
• Another view sees “taken” as judgment. Context matters. Jesus has just compared his return to the days of Noah and Lot, where those “taken” were those who perished (Luke 17:27-29). N.T. Wright suggests that Jesus is speaking of “a coming disaster,” likely the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (Luke for Everyone, p. 209). If that’s the case, those left behind are the ones who survive.
2. Judgment, Not a Secret Rapture
This passage is sometimes tied to the idea of the rapture, but that interpretation has some issues.
• The immediate context leans toward judgment. When Jesus says, “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man” (Luke 17:26), he’s pointing out that those who were “swept away” were the ones facing destruction, not the faithful. Craig Keener notes that “this is not an escape for the righteous but a removal of the wicked” (The IVP Bible Background Commentary, p. 249).
• The disciples’ question, “Where, Lord?” suggests they want to know where the taken ones are going—not those left behind. And Jesus answers with a cryptic but telling line: “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.” That doesn’t sound like heaven.
3. The Meaning of the Vultures
Jesus’ response is heavy with apocalyptic imagery. What does he mean?
• A Sign of Judgment: In the Old Testament, birds scavenging a corpse often symbolize divine wrath (Job 39:27-30, Ezekiel 39:17-20). Some believe Jesus is warning of future destruction, possibly the fall of Jerusalem.
• A Proverb of Inevitability: Just as vultures gather where there’s death, judgment will come where sin is found. Bock notes that Jesus’ words here are “a grim picture of death’s certainty” (Luke, 2:1445).
• A Hint at Rome’s Presence: Some scholars suggest that the “vultures” could reference the Roman eagle, an ominous foreshadowing of A.D. 70, when Roman forces devastated Jerusalem (Wright, Luke for Everyone, p. 209).
The Meaning of Luke 17:34-37
1. Jesus warns of a coming judgment—not a secret rapture, but a decisive moment of separation.
2. Those “taken” may be facing destruction, not rescue—a reversal of the typical rapture reading.
3. Where judgment is due, it will come inevitably—just as vultures appear where there’s death.
Jesus’ words aren’t about feeding speculation on end-times timelines. They’re a call to readiness, discernment, and faithfulness—because when that day comes, there won’t be time to scramble.
Luke 17:20-37 Meaning for Today
Jesus’ words in this passage remind us to be ready for his return. The kingdom of God is already present through Jesus, but its full realization will come suddenly and unmistakably. His warning against false messiahs, attachment to the world, and spiritual complacency speaks to us today. Rather than trying to predict the timing of his return, we are called to live in constant readiness, walking in faith and obedience.
The examples of Noah, Lot, and Lot’s wife caution us against being consumed by the distractions of daily life. It is easy to get caught up in the pursuit of comfort, success, and security, yet Jesus tells us that true life is found in surrender to him. When he returns, it will be too late to shift priorities—our decisions now determine our readiness then.
Jesus’ return is certain, and it will be as unmistakable as lightning in the sky. The challenge for believers is not to speculate about the timing but to remain faithful, living each day with an eternal perspective. Those who trust in him need not fear his coming but can anticipate it with hope, knowing that his kingdom will be fully realized in all its glory.
FAQ: Luke 17:20-37
What is the main theme of Luke 17:20-37?
The passage focuses on the coming of the Kingdom of God and the return of the Son of Man. Jesus emphasizes that the Kingdom is already present in their midst but warns of a future day of judgment when his return will be sudden and unmistakable.
What does Jesus mean when He says the Kingdom of God is "in your midst"?
Jesus is explaining that the Kingdom is not something that comes with visible signs or can be observed in a conventional sense. Instead, it is already present through his ministry and the work of God among his people.
Why does Jesus reference the days of Noah and Lot?
Jesus compares his return to these biblical events to highlight how people were caught off guard. In both cases, judgment came suddenly upon those who were not prepared. This serves as a warning to always be watchful and ready.
What does Jesus mean by 'one will be taken and the other left'?
This phrase has been interpreted in different ways. Some see it as a reference to believers being taken in salvation while others are left for judgment. Others suggest it could refer to the wicked being taken away for destruction, while the righteous remain.
Why does Jesus say, 'Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather'?
This cryptic statement likely means that just as vultures naturally gather where there is death, judgment will inevitably come where there is corruption and sin. It serves as a sobering reminder of divine justice.
How should we apply this passage today?
The passage calls for spiritual vigilance and readiness. Rather than seeking signs, believers should focus on faithful living, trusting in Christ, and being prepared for his return at any moment.
