Luke 17:23

Luke 17:23 serves as a vital warning from Jesus to His disciples regarding the nature of His future return and the deceptive claims that would arise concerning it. This verse is part of a larger discourse about the Kingdom of God and the coming of the Son of Man, emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment in the end times.

Context

This verse is embedded within Jesus' teaching about the Kingdom of God, which He states does not come with "observation" (Luke 17:20), and that the Kingdom is "within you" (Luke 17:21). The disciples had been asking about when the Kingdom would come. Jesus then shifts to speak about the coming of the Son of Man, which will be a visible and undeniable event. Before describing its suddenness, He issues a specific warning against those who would claim His presence in a localized or secret manner. This sets the stage for the dramatic imagery of His return in the subsequent verses, such as the comparison to lightning flashing across the sky in Luke 17:24.

Key Themes and Messages

• Warning Against Deception: Jesus directly cautions His followers against being misled by false claims concerning His presence. The phrase "See here; or, see there" implies attempts to localize or privatize His return, perhaps by false prophets or messianic claimants. This theme is echoed in other New Testament warnings against false Christs and false prophets in Matthew 24.
• The Nature of Christ's Return: The instruction "go not after [them], nor follow [them]" implicitly teaches that Christ's true Second Coming will not be a secret, localized, or ambiguous event. It will be universally visible and undeniable, rendering any claims of a hidden appearance false.
• Spiritual Discernment: Believers are called to exercise caution and wisdom. They must not be easily swayed by sensational claims but should remain grounded in biblical truth regarding the manner of Christ's return.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrasing "See here; or, see there" effectively translates the Greek expressions which literally mean "Behold, here!" or "Behold, there!" This highlights the emphasis on *location* and *specific points* that would be claimed by deceivers. Jesus' command to "go not after [them], nor follow [them]" is a strong, definitive prohibition against being persuaded by such false reports or movements.

Practical Application

This verse holds profound relevance for believers today. In an age of rapid information spread, diverse spiritual claims, and sometimes sensational interpretations of end-time prophecies, Jesus' warning remains a timeless guide:

• Be Discerning: Do not uncritically accept every spiritual claim or prophecy, especially those that sensationalize or localize Christ's return. Test all things against the clear teachings of Scripture, as encouraged in 1 John 4:1.
• Focus on Christ's Character: Instead of chasing after signs or specific locations, focus on living out your faith and being prepared for the Lord's return through spiritual readiness, not through geographical pursuit.
• Trust the Bible's Description: Understand that the Bible consistently describes Christ's return as a glorious, unmistakable, and universal event. It will not be a secret appearance that only a select few are privy to.