Luke 17 Study Notes

17:20-21 The Jews were looking for a kingdom of God that would come with signs in the sky and miracles (Jl 2:28-32), but that was yet in the future. The aspect of God’s kingdom that Jesus emphasized in his ministry was not observable in that sense. The presence of the King (Jesus) and his offer of the kingdom through the gospel meant that the kingdom was already “in their midst.”

17:22-24 Jesus’s disciples must not be led astray by false predictions of his coming. Instead, when he comes, it will be as obvious as the lightning flashing across the sky.

17:25 This is one of numerous predictions Jesus made about his suffering and rejection in Luke’s Gospel (5:35; 9:22,43-44; 13:32-33; 18:32; 24:7).

17:26-29 Before Christ comes back, there will be no clear-cut warning signs that signal the end. Rather, it will be like (1) the days of Noah, when business as usual was carried on until the unexpected destruction of the flood, and (2) the days of Lot, when the status quo continued until, suddenly, fire and sulfur rained down on Sodom.

17:30-33 When Jesus returns, those on earth must not be attached to their possessions and earthly comforts, as was Lot’s wife (see Gn 19:26). Commitment to Christ involves attachment only to spiritual and eternal realities. These provide the greatest security available.

17:34-36 The three aspects of life mentioned here cover the normal routine in an agricultural society: sleeping, grinding grain, and working in a field. It is not certain whether the one who is taken will be a believer taken by the Lord (see 1Th 4:15-17) or an unbeliever taken in judgment (Mt 13:40-42).

17:37 Jesus answered the disciples’ question about where his coming would take place with a proverbial saying. It is easy to find a corpse by noting where the vultures are circling. Similarly, there will be no hiding Christ’s second coming. It will be obvious to the entire world.