Luke 17:20
What does Luke 17:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 17:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 17:20 means
When the Pharisees ask about the timing of the kingdom’s arrival, Jesus answers that it does not come in a way that can be tracked by outward observation. He shifts their expectations from political spectacle or visible markers to a subtler, spiritual reality. God’s reign is not announced by the signs they demand. The King is already at work, yet not in the manner they imagine. Jesus’ reply challenges curiosity that seeks timetables more than submission to God’s rule. He invites hearers to discern the kingdom by its transforming presence, not by pageantry. The true arrival is bound up with Him, even if hidden to skeptical eyes.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when the Pharisees put questions to him about when the kingdom of God would come, he gave them an answer and said, The kingdom of God will not come through observation:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And having been questioned by the Pharisees, when the reign of God doth come, he answered them, and said, `The reign of God doth not come with observation;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God should come, he answering them and said: The kingdom of God cometh not with observation.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having been asked by the Pharisees, When is the kingdom ofGod coming? he answered them and said, The kingdom ofGod does not come with observation;
Context
This exchange follows the healing narrative and thanksgiving (verses 11–19), moving the topic to the nature of God’s kingdom. Jesus first answers the Pharisees (verses 20–21), then turns privately to the disciples to discuss future longing and warnings about false claims (verses 22–23) and the unmistakeable character of the Son of man’s day (verse 24). The flow contrasts present, quiet nearness with future, blazing revelation, and it sets up the crucial note that suffering must precede glory (verse 25).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
- Acts 1:6
They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?
- Daniel 2:44
And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
- Zechariah 4:6
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.
- Luke 16:16
The law and the prophets were until John: from that time the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and every man entereth violently into it.
- Luke 19:11
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was immediately to appear.
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