LUKE 17:20–37, THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM AND THE DAY OF THE SON OF MAN
LIVING IN READINESS, DISCERNMENT, AND TOTAL TRUST IN GOD
Introduction
This passage arises from two distinct yet connected audiences. First, Jesus responds to the Pharisees, who ask about the timing of the Kingdom of God with curiosity but without conversion. Then he turns to his disciples, preparing them for the mystery of his suffering, absence, and final revelation in glory. The teaching moves from the hidden presence of God’s Kingdom in the present to the sudden, decisive manifestation of the Son of Man at the end. Jesus corrects false expectations, warns against deception, and calls for vigilant readiness. The passage challenges both complacency and curiosity without commitment, urging a faith that is watchful, detached, and rooted in the present obedience to God.
Bible Passage (Luke 17:20–37)
Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he said in reply, the coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, look, here it is, or, there it is. For behold, the kingdom of God is among you.
Then he said to his disciples, the days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, look, there he is, or, look, here he is. Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all. So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
On that day, a person who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise a person in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.
I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.
They said to him in reply, where, Lord? He said to them, where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.
Background
This teaching belongs to the journey section of the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus instructs both opponents and disciples as he moves toward Jerusalem. Jewish expectations often imagined the Kingdom as a visible political event or cosmic sign. Jesus reframes this understanding: the Kingdom is already present in his person and mission, yet it will also be revealed definitively at the end of time. The Old Testament background includes judgment narratives, prophetic warnings, and covenant calls to vigilance and faithfulness.
Opening Life Connection
People often ask when decisive change will come—when God will intervene clearly, when justice will be visible, when suffering will end. Others become distracted by predictions, rumors, or sensational claims. Jesus speaks into this human longing and confusion, teaching that what matters most is not knowing the timetable of God, but living faithfully and attentively each day.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
Jesus first addresses the Pharisees: “the coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed”. God’s reign does not arrive with spectacle or political drama. When he says, “the kingdom of God is among you”, he reveals that the Kingdom is already present in his words, actions, mercy, and authority—standing before them, yet unrecognized.
Turning to the disciples, Jesus warns of longing and absence: “you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man”. This anticipates the time after his ascension, when faith must endure without visible consolation. The warning “do not go off, do not run in pursuit” guards against deception and false messiahs.
The image “just as lightning flashes” emphasizes suddenness and universality. The final revelation of the Son of Man will be unmistakable. Yet before glory comes suffering: “he must suffer greatly and be rejected”, revealing the cross as the necessary path to glory.
Jesus recalls “the days of Noah” and “the days of Lot”, times marked by ordinary routines and spiritual blindness. Life continued as usual until judgment arrived unexpectedly. The command “remember the wife of Lot” warns against divided hearts and attachment to what must be left behind.
The paradox “whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it” reveals the logic of the Kingdom. True life is found in surrender to God, not self-protection. The final images of separation—“one will be taken, the other left”—show that closeness or routine does not replace personal readiness.
The closing proverb, “where the body is, there also the vultures will gather”, affirms the certainty of judgment. God’s action will occur at the appointed time and place, without ambiguity or escape.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
Many Jews expected the Kingdom to appear through visible signs or national restoration. Apocalyptic imagery from Scripture was familiar, emphasizing judgment, vigilance, and fidelity. Jesus remains within this tradition but reorients it toward himself as the center of God’s action, calling for discernment rather than speculation.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church teaches that the Kingdom of God is already present in mystery through Christ and the Church, yet not fully realized until Christ’s return in glory. Christians are called to live in hopeful expectation, neither fearful nor complacent. Detachment, vigilance, and perseverance are essential virtues as believers await the final fulfillment of God’s plan.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saint Augustine of Hippo taught that Christians live between the “already” and the “not yet.” He urged believers not to seek signs of the end, but to prepare their hearts daily, living as citizens of the heavenly city while still on pilgrimage in this world.
Application to Christian Life Today
This Gospel challenges modern distractions—sensational predictions, fear-driven spirituality, and attachment to possessions or status. Believers are called to live alert lives, rooted in prayer, justice, and charity. Families, parishes, and communities must cultivate readiness by living the Gospel now, not postponing conversion.
Eucharistic Connection
In the Eucharist, the Kingdom of God is truly among us. Christ becomes present under humble signs, training our eyes to recognize God’s hidden work. Each Mass strengthens us to live in readiness, detachment, and hope as we await the glorious return of the Son of Man.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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The Kingdom of God is already present and active among us.
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Disciples must resist false signs and sensational claims.
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The cross precedes glory in God’s plan.
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Attachment to worldly security endangers eternal life.
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Daily readiness and faithful living prepare us for Christ’s return.
Outline for Preachers
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Question of the Pharisees about the Kingdom
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Hidden presence versus visible expectations
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Warnings to disciples about deception
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Examples from Noah and Lot
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Call to detachment and vigilance
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Catholic teaching on the already and not yet Kingdom
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Saint Augustine’s insight on daily readiness
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Eucharist as present Kingdom and future hope
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Central messages and call to conversion
