17:20-21 How are we to understand this?
17:20-21 How are we to understand this?
Jesus was telling the Pharisees here that the kingdom of God would not be ushered in by any observable sign. Nor would it be in any particular place, for in fact it was already in their midst. It was embodied in Jesus Himself (cp Mt 4:13-17; 10:1-8; 12:28-30 also Lk 11:14-20).
Because of their unbelief and the hardness of their hearts, the Pharisees had failed to recognize Jesus as the embodiment of the kingdom. It should be noted here that the professing church is the visible manifestation of the kingdom in its present earthly aspect.
(See also comments on Mt 3:1-3).
17:22-37 See comments on
Mt 24:1-3.