Luke 16:16
New International Version
“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.

New Living Translation
“Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in.

English Standard Version
“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
The Law and the prophets were until John. From that time the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone forces his way into it.

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

New King James Version
“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.

New American Standard Bible
“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John came; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

NASB 1995
“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

NASB 1977
“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since then the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

Legacy Standard Bible
“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since that time the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

Amplified Bible
“The Law and the [writings of the] Prophets were proclaimed until John; since then the gospel of the kingdom of God has been and continues to be preached, and everyone tries forcefully to go into it.

Christian Standard Bible
“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is urgently invited to enter it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is strongly urged to enter it.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Until the time of John the Baptist, people had to obey the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets. But since God's kingdom has been preached, everyone is trying hard to get in.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Moses' Teachings and the Prophets were [in force] until the time of John. Since that time, people have been telling the Good News about the kingdom of God, and everyone is trying to force their way into it.

Good News Translation
"The Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets were in effect up to the time of John the Baptist; since then the Good News about the Kingdom of God is being told, and everyone forces their way in.

International Standard Version
"The Law and the Prophets remained until John. Since then, the good news about the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone entering it is under attack.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
"The law and the prophets were in force until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is urged to enter it.

New Heart English Bible
The Law and the Prophets were until John. From that time the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

Webster's Bible Translation
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Weymouth New Testament
The Law and the Prophets continued until John came: from that time the Good News of the Kingdom of God has been spreading, and all classes have been forcing their way into it.

World English Bible
“The law and the prophets were until John. From that time the Good News of God’s Kingdom is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
the Law and the Prophets [are] until John; since then the good news of the Kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone presses into it;

Berean Literal Bible
The Law and the prophets were until John. From that time the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone forces his way into it.

Young's Literal Translation
the law and the prophets are till John; since then the reign of God is proclaimed good news, and every one doth press into it;

Smith's Literal Translation
The law and the prophets until John: from then the kingdom of God announces good news, and every one is forced into it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The law and the prophets were until John; from that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every one useth violence towards it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The law and the prophets were until John. Since then, the kingdom of God is being evangelized, and everyone acts with violence toward it.

New American Bible
“The law and the prophets lasted until John; but from then on the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone who enters does so with violence.

New Revised Standard Version
“The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The law and prophets were until John; from that time the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone presses to enter into it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“The Law and The Prophets were until Yohannan; from then, the Kingdom of God is announced, and everyone is pushing to enter it.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
The law and the prophets were till John. Since that time, the kingdom of God is preached, and every one enters it by force.

Godbey New Testament
The law and the prophets were until John: from that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every one presses into it.

Haweis New Testament
The law and the prophets were until John: since that the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Mace New Testament
the law and the prophets were the only rule till John's time: since when, the kingdom of God has been proclaim'd, and all sorts of people strive to be members.

Weymouth New Testament
The Law and the Prophets continued until John came: from that time the Good News of the Kingdom of God has been spreading, and all classes have been forcing their way into it.

Worrell New Testament
"The law and the prophets were until John; from that time the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is proclaimed, and every one presses into it by force!

Worsley New Testament
The law and the prophets continued until John: from that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every one presseth into it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Law and the Prophets
15So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God. 16The 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. 17But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.…

Cross References
Matthew 11:12-13
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it. / For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

Galatians 3:24-25
So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. / Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Romans 10:4
For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.

Hebrews 9:10
They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.

John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Acts 13:39
Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Romans 3:21-22
But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. / And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction,

Matthew 5:17-18
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Hebrews 8:6-13
Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. / For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second. / But God found fault with the people and said: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. ...

Colossians 2:14
having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!

Jeremiah 31:31-34
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. ...

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Isaiah 42:1-4
“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. / He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets. / A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. ...

Isaiah 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, / to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,


Treasury of Scripture

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

Law.

Luke 16:29,31
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them…

Matthew 11:9-14
But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet…

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.

the kingdom.

Luke 9:2
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Luke 10:9,11
And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you…

Matthew 3:2
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

and every.

Luke 7:26-29
But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet…

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.

Mark 1:45
But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

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Luke 16
1. The parable of the unjust steward.
14. Jesus reproves the hypocrisy of the covetous Pharisees.
19. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar.














The Law and the Prophets
This phrase refers to the Old Testament scriptures, which were the foundation of Jewish religious life and practice. "The Law" (Greek: "nomos") typically refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses. "The Prophets" (Greek: "prophetai") encompasses the writings of the prophets who conveyed God's messages to His people. Historically, these texts were central to Jewish identity and religious observance, serving as a guide for moral and spiritual conduct. In the context of Luke 16:16, Jesus acknowledges the authority and significance of these scriptures while indicating a transition in God's redemptive plan.

were proclaimed
The Greek word used here is "eōs," which means "until." This suggests a temporal boundary, indicating that the period of the Law and the Prophets being the primary revelation of God's will was up to a certain point. This proclamation was through the reading and teaching of the scriptures in synagogues and by the prophets themselves. It highlights the continuity of God's revelation, which was faithfully communicated to His people over centuries.

until John
This refers to John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. John marks a pivotal point in salvation history, as he is the last of the Old Testament prophets and the one who directly prepares the way for Jesus. His ministry signifies the end of one era and the beginning of another. Historically, John’s call to repentance and his baptismal ministry were revolutionary, drawing large crowds and setting the stage for Jesus' public ministry.

Since that time
This phrase indicates a shift or a new phase in God's plan. The Greek word "apo" suggests a starting point, marking the beginning of a new era with the arrival of John the Baptist and subsequently, Jesus Christ. This transition is crucial in understanding the unfolding of the Gospel message and the inauguration of the Kingdom of God.

the gospel of the kingdom of God
The "gospel" (Greek: "euangelion") means "good news." The "kingdom of God" refers to God's sovereign rule and reign, which Jesus came to establish. This message of the kingdom is central to Jesus' teaching and ministry. It signifies the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the realization of God's promises. The proclamation of this gospel represents a new covenant and a new way of relating to God, emphasizing repentance, faith, and the transformative power of God's grace.

is being preached
The Greek word "euangelizetai" means "to announce good news." This active, ongoing proclamation of the gospel signifies the dynamic and continuous nature of the Christian mission. It underscores the urgency and importance of spreading the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to all people. Historically, this preaching began with Jesus and His disciples and continues through the Church today.

and everyone is forcing his way into it
The Greek word "biazetai" can mean "to force" or "to press." This phrase suggests a sense of urgency and determination in seeking the kingdom. It reflects the intense desire and effort required to enter into the life and blessings of God's kingdom. This could also imply the challenges and opposition faced by those who pursue the kingdom, as well as the radical commitment needed to follow Christ. Historically, this reflects the fervent response of many to Jesus' message, as well as the obstacles they encountered.

(16) The law and the prophets were until John.--See Notes on Matthew 11:14-15. What had then been said to the disciples of the Baptist is now reproduced to our Lord's own disciples and to the Pharisees. The latter had closed their eyes to the fact that all previous revelations led up to the work of John, as that in its turn was preparatory for the work of Christ.

Every man presseth . . .--The fact asserted, that of a "rush," as we should say, into the Kingdom, but a rush from which the Pharisees had held aloof, answers to the stronger expression in St. Matthew (Matthew 11:12), "the violent take it by force."

Verse 16. - The Law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. Some expositors discern so little connection between the sayings contained in these verses which intervene between the two great parables of the unjust steward and the rich man and Lazarus, that they consider them as a number of sayings of the Master collected by Luke and insorted here. A clear thread, however, runs through the whole piece between the two parables. Probably, however, here, as in many parts of the Gospel, we only have just a bare sketch, or precis, of what the Lord said; hence its fragmentary character. Here (in the sixteenth verse), the Master went on speaking to the Pharisees who derided him (ver. 14). "Up to the period of John the Baptist," said the Master, "the old state of things may be said to have continued in force. With him began a new era; no longer were the old privileges to be confined to Israel exclusively; gradually the kingdom of God was to be enlarged, the old wall of separation was to be taken down. See, every man is pressing into it; the new state of things has already begun; you see it in the crowds of publicans, sinners, Samaritans, and others pressing round me when I speak of the kingdom of God."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The
(Ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Law
νόμος (nomos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Prophets [were proclaimed]
προφῆται (prophētai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4396: From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.

until
μέχρι (mechri)
Preposition
Strong's 3360: As far as, until, even to.

John.
Ἰωάννου (Iōannou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.

Since
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

that time,
τότε (tote)
Adverb
Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.

the {gospel}
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

of the kingdom
βασιλεία (basileia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

of God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

is being preached,
εὐαγγελίζεται (euangelizetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2097: From eu and aggelos; to announce good news especially the gospel.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

everyone
πᾶς (pas)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

is forcing his way
βιάζεται (biazetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 971: From bios; to force, i.e. to crowd oneself, or to be seized.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

it.
αὐτὴν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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