Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
What does Luke 17:21 mean?
The kingdom of God was among the Jews, or rather within some of them. It was a spiritual kingdom, set up in the heart by the power of Divine grace.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Luke 17:20-24 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Luke 17:21
"Lo here! or, Lo there!" When an earthly prince visits different parts of his territories, he does it with pomp. His movements attract observation, and become the common topic of conversation. The inquiry is, Where is he? which way will he go? and it is a matter of important "news" to be able to say where he is. Jesus says that the Messiah would not come in that manner. It would not be with such pomp and public attention. It would be silent, obscure, and attracting comparatively little notice. Or the passage may have reference to the custom of the "pretended" Messiahs, who appeared in this manner.
Key words
- Neither
-
Neither shall they say,.
Context in Luke 17
Show chapter context
Luke 17 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as journey to Jerusalem. Luke emphasizes salvation for the poor and the outsider, prayer, joy, women, table fellowship, the Holy Spirit, and the universal reach of Christ’s mission. Read this chapter with the wider themes of salvation, Spirit, and prayer in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
Passages on asking, persistence, confession, dependence, and the way prayer shapes Christian life and attention.
Bible verses about justice and mercy
Key texts on public righteousness, neighbor-love, social ethics, compassion, and the prophetic refusal to separate worship from justice.
Central texts on sin, grace, faith, Christ’s saving work, and the Bible’s announcement that salvation is received rather than achieved.
Key passages on God's unmerited favour, the grace of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and how grace transforms the way believers live.
Who quoted Luke 17:21?
Find out who used Luke 17:21 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted Luke 17:21?
Quotes found on Wikiquote (match for «the kingdom of God is within you»):
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam · Albert Nolan · Anarchism · April 16 · Chariots of Fire · Charles Darwin · Christ · Christian anarchism · Christian pacifism · Church · Constantinian shift · Frank Lloyd Wright · Government · Gregory of Nyssa · Kingdom of God · Kirby Page · Leo Tolstoy · Monism · Nectarean Shower of Holy Doctrines · Observation · Pensées · Sadhguru · Significance