Luke 17:20

Authorized King James Version

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:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Ἐπερωτηθεὶς
G1905
when he was demanded
to ask for, i.e., inquire, seek
#2
δὲ
G1161
And
but, and, etc
#3
ὑπὸ
G5259
of
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
#4
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
Φαρισαίων
G5330
the Pharisees
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
#6
πότε
G4219
when
interrogative adverb, at what time
#7
ἔρχεται
G2064
cometh
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#8
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
βασιλεία
G932
The kingdom
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
#10
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
θεοῦ
G2316
of God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#12
ἀπεκρίθη
G611
he answered
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
#13
αὐτοῖς
G846
them
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#14
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#15
εἶπεν
G2036
said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#16
Οὐκ
G3756
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#17
ἔρχεται
G2064
cometh
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#18
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
βασιλεία
G932
The kingdom
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
#20
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
θεοῦ
G2316
of God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#22
μετὰ
G3326
with
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#23
παρατηρήσεως
G3907
observation
inspection, i.e., ocular evidence

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing kingdom relates to eschatology and the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Luke Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes kingdom in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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