Luke 17:20–37: The Kingdom of God and the Second Coming

September 11, 2026

The Ten Signposts of the Bible

CAMDE—400—CALY

Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

When studying books of the Bible, as we are currently with Luke’s narratives, it is easy to lose sight of their overall movement through the stories, teachings, and encounters. So today, let’s begin with a review to keep the big picture in mind.

Luke presents a two-part, orderly account of Christianity for a man named Theophilus. The first part, the Gospel of Luke, tells the story of Jesus’ life and ministry. The second part, the Acts of the Apostles, records the beginning of the church and what happened after Jesus ascended into heaven. This second account is essential because Jesus’ departure did not mean the end of his mission. His followers continued the work he started. Together, Luke and Acts give us a full picture of both the Person of Jesus and the continuation of his mission through the church.

Luke begins his account with the preparation for Jesus' ministry, including his birth and early years (Luke 1–2). He then describes the first year of ministry, when Jesus gathers a large following (Luke 3:1–9:50 - the year of popularity). The rest of Luke’s Gospel mostly focuses on Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51–19:27 - the year of opposition). This rich section includes teaching, parables, and many interactions with the Pharisees, while Luke repeatedly reminds us that Jesus is headed to the cross. Finally, Jesus comes to Jerusalem, where the story unfolds in the shadow of the cross (Luke 19:28–24:53 - the year of rejection). 

Within these broad strokes, Luke provides invaluable information about Jesus - what he taught and who he encountered. Today’s passage begins with a question from the Pharisees and moves to Jesus directing the answer to his disciples. 

As Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, the Pharisees asked him when the kingdom of God would come. He answered, “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” (Luke 17:20–21). 

In Luke’s Gospel, the “kingdom of God” is a major theme, mentioned thirty-two times. A kingdom is the realm, rule, and reign of a king. So the kingdom of God is simply the place where God rules and reigns as king. The New Testament presents the kingdom of God as both present and future. Think of it like this: Already...not yet. One day heaven will be the ultimate kingdom of God. But now God reigns in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus told the Pharisees that the “kingdom of God is in the midst of you,” he made a powerful statement. He affirmed that God in the flesh was standing before them and interacting with them, yet they remained spiritually blind. 

Jesus then directs his comments specifically to his disciples. To those who had already acknowledged his first coming, he turns the discussion to his second coming. At this point, Jesus skips over his death, resurrection, and ascension, and says that one day in the future, after he is gone, people will long for his return (Luke 17:22). This teaching speaks to every generation that has read this account. 

Jesus shares that while people wait for his second coming, some will say, “‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’” but he warns, “Do not go out or follow them” (Luke 17:23). He assures us that his second coming will be unmistakable: “For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day” (Luke 17:24). 

Jesus further explains that before his second coming, he will have to “suffer many things and be rejected by this generation” (Luke 17:25). It was hard for the Jews - and even the disciples—to understand that Jesus must suffer, but they should have understood. The Messiah’s suffering is clearly revealed throughout the writings in the Old Testament.^[1] 

Jesus said that when he comes again, most people will be surprised. He reminded his listeners that in Noah’s and Lot’s time, people were going about their everyday lives before disaster and judgment came. They were eating and drinking, planning weddings, building houses, planting crops, and “buying and selling” right up to the day of destruction, and “so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed” (Luke 17:26–30). 

In speaking about the second coming, Jesus urges us to stay focused and ready, and not become so attached to earthly things - like Lot’s wife - that we miss what God has prepared for us in eternity. He gives his disciples and us this powerful warning with a promise: “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it” (Luke 17:33). 

Jesus ends this interaction by reminding us that trusting in him is not a group decision; it is an individual one. He illustrates this by saying that on the day of his return, a husband and wife will be sleeping in bed: “One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left” (Luke 17:34–35). 

Jesus concludes with this interesting response to the disciples' question about where all this would take place. He said, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather” (Luke 17:37). Commentators have interpreted this statement in several different ways. I will include a few options to consider in the WEEKEND RECHARGE. 

“Where will all this take place?” 

I believe Jesus is saying we do not need to worry about the time and place. Just as vultures gather around a dead carcass wherever they find one, the coming judgment will be unmistakable, inescapable, and universal. Every person on earth will see him and know that Jesus, the Son of God, has returned. No one will miss the second coming, and no one will be excused from the reality that all peoples on earth will be judged according to their response to Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Theologian R. C. Sproul says, “…Whichever interpretation is correct, we must not miss the note of earnestness and urgency in Jesus’ words as he points to a future crisis, and pleads with people to be ready when the Son of Man appears.”^[2]

Read and reflect on Luke 17:20–37: Jesus warns that people can become so absorbed in ordinary life that they are unprepared for his return. 

Talking to God: What currently has your attention, affections, or energy that could be distracting you from living with an eternal perspective?

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