Luke 13:30

13:30 But 1  indeed, 2  some are last 3  who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Luke 17:21

17:21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is 4  in your midst.” 5 

1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

2 tn Grk “behold.”

3 sn Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last. Jesus’ answer is that some who are expected to be there (many from Israel) will not be there, while others not expected to be present (from other nations) will be present. The question is not, “Will the saved be few?” (see v. 23), but “Will it be you?”

4 tn This is a present tense in the Greek text. In contrast to waiting and looking for the kingdom, it is now available.

5 tn This is a far better translation than “in you.” Jesus would never tell the hostile Pharisees that the kingdom was inside them. The reference is to Jesus present in their midst. He brings the kingdom. Another possible translation would be “in your grasp.” For further discussion and options, see D. L. Bock, Luke (BECNT), 2:1414-19.