Luke 16:16

The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

The law {G3551} and {G2532} the prophets {G4396} were until {G2193} John {G2491}: since {G575} that time {G5119} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316} is preached {G2097}, and {G2532} every man {G3956} presseth {G971} into {G1519} it {G846}.

Up to the time of Yochanan there were the Torah and the Prophets. Since then the Good News of the Kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is pushing to get in.

The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the gospel of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

The law and the prophets were until John: from that time the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and every man entereth violently into it.

Commentary

Luke 16:16 marks a pivotal statement by Jesus, clarifying the relationship between the Old Covenant and the dawning of the new era. It appears within a section of His teaching that challenges the religious leaders of the day, particularly the Pharisees, who were devoted to the Law but often missed its spirit.

Context

This verse follows Jesus' parable of the unjust steward and His teaching on the impossibility of serving both God and money (Luke 16:13). The Pharisees, described as "covetous" (Luke 16:14), scoffed at Him. Jesus then contrasts their self-justification with God's true judgment, leading into this declaration about the Law, the Prophets, and the Kingdom of God.

Key Themes

  • The End of an Era: Jesus declares, "The law and the prophets [were] until John." This signifies the culmination of the Old Covenant dispensation, which pointed forward to the Messiah. John the Baptist served as the final prophet of that era, preparing the way for Christ and the Kingdom. This doesn't mean the Law was abolished, but rather that its preparatory role was fulfilled with the arrival of Jesus (Matthew 5:17).
  • The Dawn of the Kingdom: "Since that time the kingdom of God is preached." With John's ministry and especially Jesus' own advent, the Kingdom of God was no longer a future hope but a present reality being proclaimed and made available. Jesus' miracles, teachings, and ultimately His death and resurrection all demonstrated the inbreaking of God's reign.
  • Urgent Entry: "And every man presseth into it." The Greek word for "presseth" (biazetai) carries a sense of forceful striving, eager pursuit, or intense earnestness. It suggests that people are actively and vigorously seeking to enter this new reality of God's rule. This contrasts with the Pharisees' complacent adherence to outward rituals. Some interpretations suggest a zealous, even violent, effort to seize the opportunities of the Kingdom, echoing a similar statement in Matthew 11:12. It implies a significant commitment is required to embrace the Kingdom's demands and blessings.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "presseth into it" comes from the Greek verb biazetai (ฮฒฮนฮฌฮถฮตฯ„ฮฑฮน). This word can be interpreted in a few ways:

  • Active Sense: People are eagerly and forcefully striving to enter the Kingdom, demonstrating intense zeal and commitment. This aligns with the KJV translation.
  • Passive Sense: The Kingdom itself is being forcefully advanced or entered, perhaps even by those who are not truly committed, or it is suffering violence.

Given the context of Jesus' call for radical discipleship, the active sense of zealous pursuit by individuals seems most fitting, highlighting the urgent and transformative nature of responding to the Kingdom's call.

Practical Application

Luke 16:16 challenges us to consider our own response to the Kingdom of God. Are we merely passive observers, or are we actively "pressing into" it? This involves:

  • Embracing the New Covenant: Recognizing that salvation is not by adherence to external laws alone but by faith in Christ and His completed work.
  • Active Pursuit of God's Will: Living a life of intentional discipleship, seeking God's reign in our hearts and in the world around us. This requires genuine repentance and belief (Acts 2:38).
  • Urgency and Commitment: Understanding that the Kingdom of God is a precious reality that demands our wholehearted devotion and effort, not a casual or convenient interest.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the shift in God's redemptive plan and the fervent response it calls for from all who would enter His glorious reign.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 21:32

    For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen [it], repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

  • Acts 3:24

    Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

  • Acts 3:25

    Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

  • Matthew 11:9

    But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

  • Matthew 11:14

    And if ye will receive [it], this is Elias, which was for to come.

  • John 1:45

    Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

  • Luke 7:26

    But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
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