“Once, on being 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, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” – Luke 17:20,21
The Kingdom of God is … “in your midst,” – “within you.” When Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is in your midst” (Luke 17:21 – ESV, NIV, NASB) – also translated, “The Kingdom of God is in within you” (Luke 17:21KKV, NKJV), He was answering a question from the Pharisees about when God’s rule would visibly arrive. Because the original Greek phrase “entos hymōn” has been interpreted in different ways in different translations, Bible teachers have taught these truths in three ways, which have important truths to consider and live by.
The Kingdom of God is …
- “In Your Midst” or “Among You” (Present Presence): The Greek pronoun hymōn (“you”) is plural. Jesus was addressing Pharisees who opposed him, making it unlikely he meant God’s realm resided inside their personal hearts. Instead, he meant that the Kingdom—embodied in his own presence, ministry, and healings—was already active right in front of them, though they were missing it while looking for political signs. The revolution of Jesus’ Kingdom love was in operation wherever He walked, and people largely responded to the demonstration of His love, teaching, healings, and miracles. The best interpretation of Luke 17:21 is that the kingdom of God is “in your midst.” This is a primary historical meaning given the direct context of Luke 17, while acknowledging that there is an internal reality in our hearts, where the Kingdom naturally flows from the presence and love of God.
- “Available to You” (Accessible/Close): Another nuance of entos suggests accessibility. Rather than a distant, physical realm that will arrive with the return of Christ, the reign of God is an immediately accessible reality that people can enter through faith, right here and now. What this means is that, the by GOd’s empowering, we can experience His kingdom reality in a measured way, now. His love, grace, mercy, and compassion can touch our hearts, and reach out to a world of need. We don’t have to wait for Christ’s return to experience Jesus’ “Kingdom Life.” Although this is a reality, we still need to realize that the fulness of the Kingdom of God will only be realized when God has the final word. The idea that the Kingdom of God is “NOW and NOT YET,” needs to be held in divine tension in our lives.
- Now: The power, presence, and grace of God’s rule are already breaking into the present world through faith.
- Not Yet: The full, total restoration of all creation—the complete elimination of death, suffering, and evil—is not yet fully realized until the final consummation/return of Christ.
- “Internal / Spiritual Reality” (Mystical/Individual): The King James Version and New King James version of this text (KJV,NKJV) gives way to an understanding that God’s kingdom sovereignty operates “within our hearts and minds” as believer in Christ. This emphasizes an internal transformation of God’s peace, righteousness, and joy, not dependent on external circumstances. Living in the Kingdom also means that King Jesus desires to show His life, love, and mercy though us. As God’s representatives, we’re called to be His ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20), sharing a message of reconciliation to God, which is presented in the good news of Christ’s gospel. The question of all of this is – Is God fully ruling and reigning in our hearts and lives as Lord and King? We can all attest that there are many tests which come our way, attempting to dethrone God’s reign from our hearts, and if we capitulate to a life where Christ is not the center, we will live with a diminishment of God’s presence in our lives, and operating through us. The call for us as believers is to dethrone every sin and shortcoming, and to make His throne more and more glorious in our hearts and lives. “The Kindgom of God is … ” God bless you and reward you as you serve Christ, and show forth His love and grace to a world in need.
