On being asked by the Pharisees when the Reign of God was coming, he answered them, "The Reign of God is not coming as you hope to catch sight of it;
Jesus replied, "My realm does not belong to this world; if my realm did belong to this world, my men would have fought to prevent me being handed over to the Jews. No, my realm lies elsewhere."
He went on to tell a parable in their hearing, as he was approaching Jerusalem and as they imagined God's Reign would instantly come into view.
The Law and the prophets lasted till John; since then the good news of the Realm of God is preached, and anyone presses in.
'The very dust of your town that clings to us, we wipe off from our feet as a protest. But mark this, the Reign of God is near!'
Now when he entered the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees to take a meal, they watched him closely.