33 In view of vv.31-32, this verse makes it clear that Jesus' disciples are not simply to refrain from pursuing temporal things as their primary goal in order to differentiate themselves from pagans. Instead, they are to replace such pursuits with goals of far greater significance. To "seek first [God's] kingdom" (see comments on 3:2; 4:17) is to desire above all to enter into, submit to, and participate in spreading the news of the saving reign of God. It is to pursue the things already prayed for in the first three petitions of the Lord's Prayer (6:9-10).

To seek God's "righteousness" is not, in this context, to seek justification; rather, it is to pursue righteousness of life in full submission to the will of God, as prescribed by Jesus throughout this discourse (see comment on 6:1). For any other concern to dominate one's mind is to stoop to pagan fretting. Within such a framework of commitment, Jesus' disciples are assured that all the necessary things will be given them by their heavenly Father.

1:15 Jesus announced the inauguration of a new era of salvation, of which repentance and belief in the gospel were prerequisites.1:16–20 To repent and believe the gospel is simply to follow Jesus, but note as well two distinct “call-narratives” (vv. 16–18 and vv. 19, 20). Some of these men had already met Him (John 1), but now He calls them to leave their occupations in order to follow Him continuously. They will form a new society who would be formally appointed (3:14) and sent out in mission (6:7).

20-21 The time of the coming of the kingdom was important both to the Pharisees and to the Christians of Luke's day, though for different reasons (cf. 2Th 2:1-2; 2Pe 3:3-4 for concerns that Christians had). Jesus had already made it clear that the kingdom was already present (see 11:20); he will shortly indicate by a parable that the full expression of the kingdom does not take place in the immediate future (19:11-27). The present passage is therefore important as a further definition of the nature of the kingdom.

In answer to the question "When?" (v.20), Jesus says that the kingdom will not come as an observable process; that is, it will come suddenly. The NIV "within you" is a questionable translation, for Jesus would hardly tell Pharisees, most of whom (especially those who interrogated him) were unbelievers, that the kingdom was within them. The NIV margin ("among you") is surely right.

Luke's presentation of the kingdom in Jesus' teaching is dynamic rather than psychological (see 11:20). The idea behind "`Here it is' or `There it is'" is that of the kingdom's authoritative presence. Jesus is thus saying that people are the subjects, not the timekeepers, of God's kingdom.