THE KINGDOM OF GOD (PART 2)
In part 1 we saw that the kingdom of God in the Gospel of Luke refers mainly to the Messianic kingdom, the kingdom of Christ, the son of David. The words of the angel Gabriel with those of the pious people of God are very clear. Someone asked about the significance of Luke 17:20-21.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered
So what do you make of Luke 17:20-21?
'And when he was demanded of the Pharisees when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh "not with observation" neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, Lo, there! for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.'
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The verses are from the KJV. “The A.V., "within," to which Revv. adhere in text, represents the view taken by Chrysostom, Erasmus, Luther, Calvin, Olshausen, Godet, Field, Candlish, Sanday, and Wellhausen. It is the rendering which has generally been favoured by mystics. Thus Fénélon recommends his reader who may perceive "natural impetuosity gliding in" to "retire quietly within, where is the kingdom of God."”1
Personally, I do not favor this rendering (not because I don't like mystics) for reasons I point out later. “Luke 17:21. — "In the midst of," ἐντός. So Syrsin, Grotius, Bengel, Meyer, Alford, Trench, Weizsäcker, B. Weiss (referring to Song of Solomon 3:10),. H. Holtzmann, Schanz, Farrar, Spence, Lütgert, Plummer, Wernle, and Loisy. Cf. Luke 11:20. Wernle: "It is quite certain that the right translation is among" (loc. cit.). Warman "The Pharisees asked when, not where" ("New Testament Theology," p. 22 f.). Boehmer: "The Lord does not say 'already.' "” 2
Having mentioned what the expert have to say about the rendering of ἐντός, I'll state why I favor the second rendering.
1. Throughout all the Gospels, starting from John the Baptist, then continued by the Lord and then by His disciples, the great message is, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has drawn nigh; repent and believe in the glad tidings.” Mar.1:15
2. The Lord Jesus never mentioned to His disciples that the kingdom of God is in them, or within them.
3. It is unlikely that He would speak such a word to His enemies.
4. The Pharisees were not surprised by His answer. If they understood that the kingdom of God was within them that would have shocked them in the same way as some were shocked when the Lord said that they should eat His flesh and drink His blood.
5. If it is true that the kingdom of God was within them, why did they oppose the King?
6. If the kingdom of God is within man, why, after this event, this great truth was never preached by the apostles?
7. Two chapters later the Lord told a parable because “they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.”Luk 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. Luk 19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. Luk 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. Luk 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. Luk 19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
8. Luk_21:31 So also *ye*, when ye see these things take place, know that the kingdom of God is near.
9. Luk_22:16 For I say unto you, that I will not eat any more at all of it until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
10. Luk_22:18 For I say unto you, that I will not drink at all of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God come.
11. Luk_23:51 (this man had not assented to their counsel and deed), of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who also waited, himself also, for the kingdom of God.
Why nobody told Joseph of Arimathaea that there was no need to wait for the kingdom of God, if indeed the kingdom of God was within him?
Let's consider the verses in their context.
Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luk 17:22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. Luk 17:23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. Luk 17:24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.Luk 17:25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.(KJV)
At that time the King was present, and in a certain sense the kingdom of God was among them, or as another verse says upon them. And yet, the kingdom of God was not established. The Lord connects the kingdom and the Person of the King (the Son of Man) (vv,. 21 and 23). The Pharisees asked the Lord when the Kingdom of God should come, and the Lord in chapter 17 and 19 showed the Pharisees and His disciples that the kingdom of God will come after the rejection, death, and resurrection of the King. He will go to a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. At His second coming He will rule as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Until then we should pray, Father, Thy kingdom come.
For further study see Appendixes
112 The Synonymous Expressions for "Kingdom"
113. The "Kingdom" and the "Church"
114. The "Kingdom of Heaven" and the "Kingdom of God"
in the Companion Bible by Dr. E.W. Bullinger
https://levendwater.org/companion/index_companion.html
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NOTES:
1&2
http://stempublishing.com/authors/ke...e_app.html#a17