Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

LUKE 17:21KJV
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Luke 17:21 (KJV)

What does Luke 17:21 mean?

Luke 17:21 means that the kingdom of God is not something people can point to in a specific place or see arriving with obvious signs; instead, Jesus says the kingdom of God is within or among the people he is speaking to. The verse emphasizes that God's reign is not about a physical location but is present in a deeper, less visible way.

In this scene, Jesus is responding to a question from the Pharisees about when the kingdom of God would come. He tells them that people will not be able to say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” because the kingdom is already present in some way among them. The focus is on the nearness and hidden nature of God's rule, rather than a dramatic outward event.

The Greek behind Luke 17:21

  • The word “within” is ἐντός (entos), which can mean “inside” or “among.” This word can suggest either an inward reality in a person or something present among a group, so Jesus could be saying the kingdom is within individuals or present among the people as a whole.
  • The word “kingdom” is βασιλεία (basileia), meaning “reign” or “rule.” This highlights that Jesus is talking about God’s active rule, not just a future place or event.
  • The repeated word ἰδού (idou, “lo” or “behold”) is used to draw attention, showing that Jesus wants his listeners to notice where the kingdom truly is—not in obvious places, but in a way that requires deeper awareness.

Why Luke 17:21 matters

  • Luke 17:21 clears up the common misunderstanding that God’s kingdom is only about a future event or a visible, earthly kingdom; Jesus points to a present reality.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s rule can be missed if people are only looking for dramatic signs or outward displays.
  • In the wider passage, Jesus is challenging the expectations of the religious leaders and inviting his listeners to recognize God’s work already happening through him and among his followers.

Where else these words appear

“within” Greek G1787 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

“here” Greek G5602 · used in 56 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • Mark 9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
  • Luke 23:5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

“say” Greek G2046 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
  • Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
  • Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

“there” Greek G1563 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Mark 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
  • John 6:22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;