What does it mean that "The kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21, KJV)?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The translation “within you,” found in some versions (e.g., KJV and ASV), is a valid rendering of the rare Greek word entos. However, that can be misunderstood to mean the kingdom was inside the Pharisees to whom Jesus was speaking, which does not fit the context, as they had been actively working against Him.

The word can also mean inside an area, such as “among” or “in the midst of.” That appears to be Jesus’ meaning, answering their question about when the Kingdom will come (future) by saying it has come (present). They expected it to come with signs (cf. Luke 17:20), but Jesus said it had come quietly, already being among them. Therefore, it is better rendered as “in your midst” (NASB), “in the midst of you” (ESV), or “among you” (NRSV).

When Jesus came as King, He embodied the Kingdom. For example, Mark’s first words are of Jesus announcing the arrival of the kingdom because He had arrived (Mark 1:14–15; cf. Matthew 12:28). In Luke, Jesus is making a similar declaration, stating that the kingdom had arrived in an unexpected manner, with a King who must first suffer and be rejected before the kingdom visibly arrives (Luke 17:25).

Because Jesus will return, we must be ready for His arrival. For believers, that means telling others about the coming King. For unbelievers, that means repenting and trusting in Jesus before it is too late.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• "The kingdom of God is within you" is not found in the Old Testament

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• For context for the rest of this section, Luke 17:20–21 in the ESV reads, “Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There!” for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.’”
• However, the KJV translation of Luke 17:21 reads, “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Instead of “in the midst of you,” it says, “within you,” which makes it sound as if Jesus was saying that the kingdom was literally inside the Pharisees. The Greek word entos, being translated as “within,” is very rare, and those translators chose what is perhaps its more literal meaning.
• The problem with that translation is that it doesn’t fit the context of Jesus speaking with His opponents. The Pharisees regularly stood against Jesus’ work (Luke 11:53–54; John 11:47–53), proving themselves to be of Satan (John 8:44). It makes no sense that Jesus would say the kingdom of God was within His enemies.
• Instead of “within,” an alternative meaning for entos, such as “among” or “in the midst of,” is supported by the immediate context. It is used by the ESV translation above, as well as the NASB, NRSV, and other more modern translations. As seen in the two verses (Luke 17:20–21), the Pharisees expected a future kingdom. They also expected it to come with signs. However, Jesus was correcting them, saying it had already arrived and was in their midst. Indeed, as the embodiment of the kingdom (see Mark 1:14–15; Matthew 12:28), He was referring to the fact that the King was standing right in front of them.
• Following Luke 17:21, Jesus turned to His disciples, segueing to future tribulations and then the sign of His final arrival (Luke 17:22–24). However, before that, the kingdom was hidden, and its King (Jesus) must first suffer and be rejected (Luke 17:25).
• In summary, Jesus was teaching them all that the kingdom had already arrived but was not yet fully there. We sometimes refer to this as “already, not yet,” meaning that the kingdom has come to one extent (its King has come and died for sin) but not yet (the King must return to judge the world and establish His rule over it).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

For thousands of years, the Old Testament expected a Messiah in the line of King David (2 Samuel 7:12–13) who would bring a final, eternal kingdom (Daniel 7:13–14). In Luke 17, the Jewish leaders were asking the question Jews have always had: when will the kingdom arrive? In Jesus’ day, they pictured that kingdom overthrowing Rome. What they did not realize was that the kingdom would slip in quietly and, like a tiny mustard seed (Matthew 13:31–32), grow over time.

When Jesus took on humanity and was born, He embodied the kingdom as its King. Thus, the kingdom was here among the people. However, at that time, Jesus’ mission was salvation. He came to live and die as the perfect God-man so that all who believe in Him will be saved (John 3:16). After He rose again, He left the earth and is now ruling from heaven. But the King will return. When He does, He will come to judge the world, destroying the wicked (2 Thessalonians 1:7–9). Then His kingdom will be established on earth (Revelation 20:1–6).

We sit in this “between-time.” The King has come and gone. He is giving every man and woman the opportunity to repent and submit before He comes again. If you are a believer, then you are to warn others that “the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15).

If, however, you are not a believer, then know that if the King returns today, you will suffer the consequences of your sin, an eternity of torment with separation from God and all that is good—but that does not have to be the case. God is delaying to give you time to repent. We implore you now to consider His mercy. Please, repent today while you still have time.

UNDERSTAND

• The kingdom of God was present in Jesus because the King Himself had come into the world.
• Instead of “within you,” it is better to understand Jesus as saying the kingdom was "in your midst,” referring to the King standing among them.
• The kingdom has already begun but will not be fully realized until Jesus returns to establish His rule.

REFLECT

• How does recognizing that Jesus, the King, is present change the way you view your life, purpose, and decisions?
• Where are you tempted to look for visible, dramatic signs of God’s kingdom instead of trusting His quiet, present work?
• How are you living in light of the reality that the kingdom is already here but not yet fully complete?

ENGAGE

• Why is it important to understand “the kingdom of God is within you” as “in your midst” in its context?
  
• How does the “already, not yet” nature of the kingdom shape how believers understand God’s work in the world today?
• What are practical ways believers can live as citizens of a kingdom that is present now but not yet fully realized?