What did Jesus mean when He said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21, KJV)?

Response

In Luke 17:20–21, Jesus states, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (NKJV). The context of Jesus’ statement is a question posed to Him by His Pharisee detractors who had inquired about the arrival of the kingdom of God (verse 20).

Jesus’ response indicated that the kingdom of God would not arrive as the Pharisees anticipated. It would not commence with grandeur or magnificence; there would be no prominent leader claiming territory and defeating the Romans. Instead, the kingdom would emerge quietly and imperceptibly, much like leaven permeates a batch of dough (see Matthew 13:33). In reality, Jesus affirmed that the kingdom had already commenced, right under the Pharisees’ noses. God was reigning in the hearts of certain individuals, and the King Himself was present among them, although the Pharisees remained unaware of this reality.

Different translations interpret the Greek of Luke 17:21 in various ways. The phrase “within you” in the KJV and NKJV is translated as “in your midst” in the NIV, NASB, and NET; “among you” in the NLT and HCSB; and “in the midst of you” in the ESV. Earlier editions of the NIV had “within you” with a marginal note suggesting “among you.” Clearly, there is a distinction between stating “the kingdom of God is within you” and “the kingdom of God is among you.”

“Within you” may be considered an inaccurate translation, given that Jesus was addressing the Pharisees at that moment. Jesus was certainly not implying that the kingdom of God dwelled within the Pharisees’ hearts. The Pharisees were adversaries of Jesus and had no connection with God. Jesus had previously condemned them as “”Whitewashed tombs” and “hypocrites” «Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. », (Matthew 23:27).

The more accurate translation would be “in your midst” or “among you.” Jesus was informing the Pharisees that He brought the kingdom of God to earth. Jesus’ presence among them provided a glimpse of the kingdom life, as evidenced by the miracles He performed. In another instance, Jesus cited His miracles as conclusive evidence of the kingdom: “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you” «But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. », (Luke 11:20).

There are three common interpretations of Jesus’ statement in Luke 17:21 that the kingdom of God is within you (or among you): 1) the kingdom of God is essentially internal, within the heart of man; 2) the kingdom is within your grasp if you make the right choices; and 3) the kingdom of God is in your midst through the person and presence of Jesus. The most plausible of these interpretations appears to be the third: Jesus was initiating the kingdom as He transformed the hearts of individuals, one by one.

Currently, Christ’s kingdom is not of this world «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. », (John 18:36). However, one day, the kingdom of God will be revealed on earth «The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. », (Isaiah 35:1), and Jesus Christ will reign over a physical kingdom from David’s throne «Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. », (Isaiah 9:7) with Jerusalem as His capital «Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. », (Zechariah 8:3).