The Interplay of the Present and Future in the Kingdom of God (Luke 19:11-44)

Abstract

The article argues that Luke has crafted Luke 19:11-44 to signal presentness as well as futurity in relation to the kingdom of God. The temporal reference of the parable in Luke 19:12-27 is not to be governed by verse 11 alone. Material in Luke 19:12-27 that is not in the equivalent Matthean parable has significant literary connection with subsequent material in verses 28-44. This subsequent material highlights the presentness of Jesus’ kingship. What this shows is that Luke has subtly but carefully presented the kingdom of God as both present and future in the section under discussion.