16:16 The Law and the Prophets. A reference to the entire Old Testament.

were until John. Luke here indicates that the ministry of John the Baptist signaled the great turning point of redemptive history (Matt. 11:11 note).

everyone forces his way into it. A difficult statement to translate and interpret. Some suggest that Jesus is exhorting His followers by describing the zeal necessary for entering the kingdom (13:24). Others suggest that “forcing his way” is meant in a negative sense, depicting hostile powers fighting against the kingdom (Matt. 11:12 note).