John Calvin Commentary Luke 17:20

"And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:" — Luke 17:20 (ASV)

And being interrogated by the Pharisees This question was undoubtedly put in mockery; for, since Christ was continually speaking of the kingdom of God as near, while no change was taking place in the outward condition of the Jews, wicked and malicious persons looked upon this as a plausible excuse for harassing him. As if all that Christ said about the kingdom of God were idle talk and mere trifling, they put a sarcastic question to him, “When will that kingdom come?” If anyone considers this question to have been put on account of the crudeness of their own views, rather than for the sake of mocking, I have no objection.

The kingdom of God will not come with observation. My opinion is that Christ now disregards those dogs and adapts this reply for the disciples, just as on many other occasions when he was provoked by wicked men and seized the opportunity of giving instruction. In this way, God frustrates their malice, while the truth, which is maintained in opposition to their sophistry, is more fully displayed.

The word observation is here used by Christ to denote extraordinary splendor;³⁴¹ and he declares that the kingdom of God will not make its appearance at a distance or be attended by pompous display. He means that they are greatly mistaken who seek with the eyes of the flesh the kingdom of God, which is in no way carnal or earthly, for it is nothing other than the inward and spiritual renewal of the soul.

From the nature of the kingdom itself, he shows that they are altogether wrong who look around here or there to observe visible marks. “That restoration of the Church,” he tells us, “which God has promised, must be looked for within; for, by giving life to his elect into a heavenly newness of life, he establishes his kingdom within them.”

And so he indirectly rebukes the stupidity of the Pharisees, because they aimed at nothing but what was earthly and fading. It must be observed, however, that Christ speaks only of the beginnings of the kingdom of God, for we now begin to be formed anew by the Spirit after the image of God, so that our entire renovation, and that of the whole world, may afterwards follow in due time.

³⁴¹ “La ou nous avons traduit, a veue d’oeil, le Grec a mot a mot avec observation; c’est a dire, avec quelque grande apparence, en sorte qu’un chacun y puisse prendre garde.” — “Where we have rendered, .” — “Where we have rendered, visibly, the Greek literally runs, the Greek literally runs, with observation; that is to say, with some great display, so that every person may take notice of it.”that is to say, with some great display, so that every person may take notice of it.”