In your understanding, What did Jesus mean by this?

What is your understanding of this bible verse? (same verse from different translations)
Does it mean you find God within you? Or does it mean something else in your understanding?

Luke 17:21 King James Version (KJV)
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Luke 17:21 New International Version (NIV)
21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’A) because the kingdom of God is in your midst

Amanaki said:

What is your understanding of this bible verse? (same verse from different translations)
Does it mean you find God within you? Or does it mean something else in your understanding?

Luke 17:21 King James Version (KJV)
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Luke 17:21 New International Version (NIV)
21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’A) because the kingdom of God is in your midst

Click to expand...

The text does not say that "you find God within you". The text (KJB) says, "the kingdom of God is within you". The Bible interprets itself (Genesis 40:8; 2 Peter 1:20, etc).

The contextual verses (see also Matthew 24; Mark 13):

Luk 17:20 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:

The Kingdom of God deals with change of character, the inward man/heart (Jesus is the seed, by His words sown into the heart):

Mat_21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Mar_4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

Mat 13:18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
Mat 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
Mat 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
Mat 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Mat 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Amanaki said:

What is your understanding of this bible verse?

Click to expand...

That all of this is consciousness, and because Yeshua connected to the Source at times in his life; which takes full yoga activation, and a spiritual understanding of the commandments as steps, he understood that we can connect to Heaven via our soul attaining Oneness within.

Yehoshua was a promised Avatar, and stated the Kingdom of God has come down to you, meaning that all of us are manifestations from the Source (Psalms 82:6).

Thus in Luke 17:20-37 contextually it is saying Heaven is already here, yet people don't follow the Dharma, and see through inner mindfulness they create peace; so here is Hell on earth, instead of Paradise.

The end part is the second coming, and that Isaiah 34 is being fulfilled by the Ravenous Beings (Pharisees) who don't seek Dharma, yet look for reward (Isaiah 8), taking what isn't theirs (Zechariah 5, Habakkuk 2)...

Now the reason for saying that, is because Jonah got Nineveh to repent, the Source wants people to understand this, the Gospel is meant to be a Light unto the Gentiles, a Banner unto our people of Oneness; yet currently most misunderstand Yeshua's contexts from any form of logical Dharmic settings, as they think an Avatar has to be Jewish in this setting, so the world is doomed as they don't see the light within these sentiments.

In my opinion.

Crosstian said:

The text does not say that "you find God within you". The text (KJB) says, "the kingdom of God is within you". The Bible interprets itself (Genesis 40:8; 2 Peter 1:20, etc).

The contextual verses (see also Matthew 24; Mark 13):

Luk 17:20 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:

The Kingdom of God deals with change of character, the inward man/heart (Jesus is the seed, by His words sown into the heart):

Mat_21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Mar_4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

Mat 13:18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
Mat 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
Mat 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
Mat 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Mat 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply But my question was.
Can you in your understanding tell what this verse means? It was not meant to be a heap of quotes from the bible or other sources. I was looking for your understanding of it.
Being able to quote the bible is something everyone can do

Amanaki said:

What is your understanding of this bible verse? (same verse from different translations)
Does it mean you find God within you? Or does it mean something else in your understanding?

Luke 17:21 King James Version (KJV)
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Luke 17:21 New International Version (NIV)
21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’A) because the kingdom of God is in your midst

Click to expand...

Well, Jesus was talking here to the Pharisees. They didn’t accept Him as the prophesied Messiah...in fact, they hated him to the point of wanting to kill him.

So based on this, it’s accurate to say the KJV rendering, “within you”, is misleading. But the NIV rendering, “in your midst”, makes sense: that Jesus, as designated-King of God’s Kingdom, was right there ‘in their midst’, trying to teach them and lead them to be approved subjects of that Kingdom....

....which, BTW, is indicated to be a real government (Isaiah 9:6-7), establishing itself, in the future, as the only rulership for humans (Daniel 2:44), and providing relief for mankind that we so desperately need! Revelation 21:3-4. (“Voice from the throne”, “tent of God is with mankind.”

Mankind’s future is bright.

Take care, my cousin!

Just to summarize an answer from an Abrahamic perspective as well, many Christians believe that because of the Gospel of John written by the Sanhedrin, 'jesus' wasn't accepted, and was misunderstood by everyone - the Sermon on the Mount shows otherwise.

Thus Christians assume when the Kingdom of Heaven came down to the Pharisees, he is saying that the Kingdom is within him, where he is in the midst planting Good Seeds, which the Christians pick up.

The error happens because according to the Gospel of John 'jesus' is the light of the world (John 8:12); according to the Synoptic Gospels Yeshua said we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

In my opinion.

Hockeycowboy said:

Well, Jesus was talking here to the Pharisees. They didn’t accept Him as the prophesied Messiah...in fact, they hated him to the point of wanting to kill him.

So based on this, it’s accurate to say the KJV rendering, “within you”, is misleading. But the NIV rendering, “in your midst”, makes sense: that Jesus, as designated-King of God’s Kingdom, was right there ‘in their midst’, trying to teach them and lead them to be approved subjects of that Kingdom....

....which, BTW, is indicated to be a real government (Isaiah 9:6-7), establishing itself, in the future, as the only rulership for humans (Daniel 2:44), and providing relief for mankind that we so desperately need! Revelation 21:3-4. (“Voice from the throne”, “tent of God is with mankind.”

Mankind’s future is bright.

Take care, my cousin!

Click to expand...

Thank you for your insightful reply
Another question arises out of your reply actually After Jesus had passed away, would you say the teachings say that people must look within, to see Jesus or to understand his teaching (since Jesus no longer walks among people on the earth) (no physical body)

Amanaki said:

After Jesus had passed away, would you say the teachings say that people must look within, to see Jesus or to understand his teaching

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Early church ideas:

• The Gnostics taught over development of the esoteric connection to the inner Christ aspect; yet missed the static Law for growth.
  
  
• The Ebionites believed giving up wealth, and following the commandments as Yeshua taught; which is developing interconnection through mindfulness of the whole.
  
  
  
• Simon peter (stumbling-stone) taught to follow 'jesus' as lord and savoir; yet without actually developing an understanding beyond what he was shown, thus creating no inner seeking.
  
  
• Paul taught to desire the mind of the resurrected Christ; that in Christ dying to his flesh, we die with him, and then are incorruptible because he is.
  
  
• John taught similar to the Gnostics in terms of Christ is the light within, he is the godhead made manifest.

The difference between those who seek the wisdoms of Yeshua's teachings, and those who've sought reward from 'jesus' are clear from the start of the church.

In my opinion.

Amanaki said:

What is your understanding of this bible verse? (same verse from different translations)
Does it mean you find God within you? Or does it mean something else in your understanding?

Luke 17:21 King James Version (KJV)
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Luke 17:21 New International Version (NIV)
21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’A) because the kingdom of God is in your midst

Click to expand...

Matt 4:17 "the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” basically means the same, inside human being. Human being is equipped with means to connect and be in the dimension of Spirit, it is real. Strong's Greek: 1787. ἐντός (entos) -- within, among

leov said:

Matt 4:17 "the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” basically means the same, inside human being. Human being is equipped with means to connect and be in the dimension of Spirit, it is real. Strong's Greek: 1787. ἐντός (entos) -- within, among

Click to expand...

That is very similar to how I would interpret it

It's inside one, it's over there, now over there, my God...
it's everywhere, it is the earth, sky, and everything !
It's the Stuff of life, the cognizance of yourself.

Amanaki said:

What is your understanding of this bible verse? (same verse from different translations)
Does it mean you find God within you? Or does it mean something else in your understanding?

Luke 17:21 King James Version (KJV)
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Luke 17:21 New International Version (NIV)
21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’A) because the kingdom of God is in your midst

Click to expand...

Two very different meanings, here. One says "within you" while the other implies "among you".

I think Jesus meant BOTH, which is why the difference in interpretations by these various translators.

Amanaki said:

What is your understanding of this bible verse? (same verse from different translations)
Does it mean you find God within you? Or does it mean something else in your understanding?

Luke 17:21 King James Version (KJV)
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Luke 17:21 New International Version (NIV)
21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’A) because the kingdom of God is in your midst

Click to expand...

The King James version has it correct in my opinion.

The word for 'within' (Strong's 1787 Entos) is used here...

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"

Many of the verses in the same context speak of that which is within...

Matthew 23:25
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess"

All one has to do is use common sense. Think of what the NIV is saying...

"The Kingdom of God comes not with observation, but hey everyone... observe me standing here! even though you're not supposed to observe!!!"

Sounds idiotic right?

Amanaki said:

Can you in your understanding tell what this verse means?

Click to expand...

If you don't mind, I'd like to share what I think it means.

I believe the meaning of the Kingdom of God within is ultimately the transformative process by which the saved receive their Glorified Bodies.

Within is also the Microcosm.

I believe this is the Third Heaven referred to by Paul...

2 Corinthians 12:2
"I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth such an one caught up to the third heaven"

Christians are taught that the Third Heaven is outer space. This is incorrect.

The Third Heaven is the Kingdom of God within.

This means Paul was literally taken to the Microcosm of the body. Who's body? Abraham's body.

More specifically, Paul was taken to Abraham's Bosom...

2 Corinthians 12:4
"How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter"

I believe this is the same place John was taken in Revelation...

Revelation 4:4
"And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold"

Long story short, the Book of Revelation is describing the inside or rather the bosom of Abraham.

The Twenty Four Elders are ribs.

The Throne is the Heart.

The Seven Spirits are the breath and lungs.

etc. etc.


It's all about Human Anatomy and the transformative process into the Glorified Body.

The Kingdom of God can be seen in Cell Biology as well...





The Word of God is DNA...



Again, the Kingdom of God is within.

You must define first what the 'kingdom' is in order to define (Luke 17:21) If one takes a literal interpretation of the kingdom, that it is and will be a government on earth, then they will interpret (17:21) as 'in your midst'. If one takes a metaphorical or spiritual interpretation of the kingdom, they will interpret (17:21) as 'within you'.

I hold to the literal kingdom and so see (Luke 17:21) as saying 'in your midst'. Jesus had been preaching the kingdom for some three years. But that was rejected by the leaders and majority in Israel. (Luke 13:34-35) The Pharisees come up demanding when this kingdom is supposed to come. (17:20) But the kingdom was right in front of them because the King was the one they were talking to, and His whole ruling staff was with Him. (Matt. 19:28) It was in their midst, yet they could not see it. It was taken from them.

It would still come, but not with observation. (Luke 17:20) In other words there is no great fanfare with Jesus set up as King over Israel. No triumphant entry and pomp. The kingdom now takes on a 'mystery form'. Hidden to most, but revealed to some. (Matt. 13:11)

Good-Ole-Rebel

Amanaki said:

What is your understanding of this bible verse? (same verse from different translations)

1. Does it mean you find God within you?
   
2. Or does it mean something else in your understanding?

Click to expand...

re: #1. No.
re: #2: Yes.

• A kingdom is a country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen.
• A king or queen reigns over and rules his/her subjects.
  
• Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
• Who or what reigns over and rules you? What do you love with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your strength?

Base12 said:

If you don't mind, I'd like to share what I think it means.

I believe the meaning of the Kingdom of God within is ultimately the transformative process by which the saved receive their Glorified Bodies.

Within is also the Microcosm.

I believe this is the Third Heaven referred to by Paul...

2 Corinthians 12:2
"I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth such an one caught up to the third heaven"

Christians are taught that the Third Heaven is outer space. This is incorrect.

The Third Heaven is the Kingdom of God within.

This means Paul was literally taken to the Microcosm of the body. Who's body? Abraham's body.

More specifically, Paul was taken to Abraham's Bosom...

2 Corinthians 12:4
"How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter"

I believe this is the same place John was taken in Revelation...

Revelation 4:4
"And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold"

Long story short, the Book of Revelation is describing the inside or rather the bosom of Abraham.

The Twenty Four Elders are ribs.

The Throne is the Heart.

The Seven Spirits are the breath and lungs.

etc. etc.

It's all about Human Anatomy and the transformative process into the Glorified Body.

The Kingdom of God can be seen in Cell Biology as well...

The Word of God is DNA...

Again, the Kingdom of God is within.

Click to expand...

I was actually tracking along with what you were saying until you shifted over to human anatomy as what is meant by "inside you" in scripture. That was an unexpected left turn off the road into the cornfields.

In my understanding of the esoteric nature of the Christian faith, the "inside" of us, the "interior spaces", is not referencing the stuff underneath the skin: bones, tendons, internal organs (skin is an external organ), heart, liver, and such. Those too, are all "external" to us. They are not what is "inside" us in the context of a spiritual reference.

The interiors of us, is consciousness. It is what is in and behind our thoughts and motivations, our desires, the core of our self identities, and beyond the form in this human body. It is the human soul, to give some term for it. Making clean the inside of the cup, clears the way for the kingdom of God to arise within us, and from us flow out to the world. It means, making your soul open to God. It doesn't mean your rib cage.

Good-Ole-Rebel said:

You must define first what the 'kingdom' is in order to define (Luke 17:21) If one takes a literal interpretation of the kingdom, that it is and will be a government on earth, then they will interpret (17:21) as 'in your midst'. If one takes a metaphorical or spiritual interpretation of the kingdom, they will interpret (17:21) as 'within you'.

I hold to the literal kingdom and so see (Luke 17:21) as saying 'in your midst'. Jesus had been preaching the kingdom for some three years. But that was rejected by the leaders and majority in Israel. (Luke 13:34-35) The Pharisees come up demanding when this kingdom is supposed to come. (17:20) But the kingdom was right in front of them because the King was the one they were talking to, and His whole ruling staff was with Him. (Matt. 19:28) It was in their midst, yet they could not see it. It was taken from them.

It would still come, but not with observation. (Luke 17:20) In other words there is no great fanfare with Jesus set up as King over Israel. No triumphant entry and pomp. The kingdom now takes on a 'mystery form'. Hidden to most, but revealed to some. (Matt. 13:11)

Good-Ole-Rebel

Click to expand...

If I was to answer you as a Buddhist I would say the kingdom within is the wisdom those who follow the path are realizing. And heaven Christianity speaks about is similar to Nirvana in Buddhism. Not a physical place, but a state of mind (so the wisdom is within our mind.

But knowing that Christianity teaches something different it can be wise to gain the wisdom from the bible(for those who follow it )

Windwalker said:

It means, making your soul open to God. It doesn't mean your rib cage.

Click to expand...

I get where you're coming from Windwalker, however I believe there is an opportunity for learning something here that is very profound.

Let's take the Heart for example. Some say the Kingdom of God takes place in our Hearts.

I will use this verse to start with...

2 Corinthians 3:3
"Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart"

Without going into too much detail, the above verse is speaking of a type of 'Holy Genetic Engineering'. Specifically, it is speaking of altering the DNA of Mankind in order for Salvation to take place. Yes this sounds incredulous, but remember...

The Word of God is more than just words in the Bible, it is representative of DNA...

John 1:14
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth"

The Word (Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, Thymine) was made flesh, i.e. DNA. DNA is the 'Living Word' of God.

Currently our DNA is corrupt which brings death. According to Scripture, the only way to correct this problem is to receive the Glorified Body.

Most Christians don't realize that the Glorified Body will have Genetics as well...

1 Corinthians 15:38-40
"But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another."

I believe God is giving the Human Race intimate knowledge of this overall Holy Genetic Engineering process so that we may better understand the more intricate details of it all. Perhaps this is a type of 'hail Mary pass' to reach out to the skeptics and Atheists in the last days. Your average Christian doesn't really need this info to help their faith.

One more example:

Zechariah 3:9
"For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day"

This 'Stone with Seven Eyes' is called a Nucleobase in modern terms. Seven is the chemical element Nitrogen. This is what the letters of our DNA (A, C, G, T) are made of.

Note that there will be an engraving on said stone. We call this Genetic Engineering. Once this is done, sin and corruption will be removed from all life.

The Blood of Jesus is the 'template'. Blood in Scripture is another reference to DNA. We will be healed by the Blood/DNA of Jesus.

Note that the Lamb in the Book of Revelation has seven eyes. It is representative of a Nucleobase. It is the Word of God. It is the Blood of Jesus in the Heart of Abraham's Bosom...



I hope this is making sense. I realize this isn't something people are used to seeing. Blame censorship.

Its about Catholicism. Most likely Jesus is suggesting that they stop their activism against Rome and start working for the benefit of Romans. He may also be ruling that the times of separation are over between the kosher people and the unkosher people. Jesus is speaking in a section about lepers. The lepers represent the unkosher and the gentile. The Pharisees ask Jesus in this context when the Kingdom will come, which is also considered renewal in the prophet Micah and various other things by various prophets. He says its here now, which means he expects them to receive the gentiles as heirs of Abraham now, warts and all. Catholicism.