One of the most confusing parables Jesus told is recorded in Luke 16:1-18. In the midst of the “Parable of the Unrighteous Steward,” Jesus makes an equally confusing statement about the Kingdom of God.
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. -Luke 16:16
What is Jesus referring to here? Let’s look at the original Greek. The Greek word used in verse 16 is Βιάζω (Biatzo). Unfortunately, the grammar of the sentence makes the meaning of the passage difficult. It is in the present tense which means the action is going on right then. The most common meaning is “to use force or violence.” It’s used in the middle/passive form carrying a meaning of "to invite urgently.” Because of the form of the verb here (middle/passive voice or possibly intransitive) the verb could also be translated “The Kingdom suffers violence” or “Unauthorized people are compelling the Kingdom’s coming” or even “the Kingdom makes its way with triumphant force.” Let’s examine the options briefly.
“To invite urgently” is a viable option due to the fact that the church, the Kingdom of God, is the new spiritual Israel where there is no difference in race, color, bloodline, etc. All who are immersed into Christ have been added by God to the church. Consider Galatians 3:26-29 as an example.
“The Kingdom suffers violence” is another good possibility. Since the verb is in the present tense, Jesus is likely not referring to the persecutions that came after His resurrection and ascension. However, those who had followed Jesus before were also persecuted by the religious leaders. John 9:22-23 records an instance where parents refuse to answer questions about their son’s healing because they were “afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.”
“Unauthorized people are compelling the Kingdom’s coming” may also be an accurate translation when considering the many false messiahs both before and after the time of Jesus. He warns His disciples of this very real danger in Matthew 25:15-28. The Kingdom of God would come in God’s good time not according to the will of man.
“The Kingdom makes its way with triumphant force” is the final possibility since no one has been able to stop the church or its message since the resurrection of Jesus. This should come as no surprise to Christians; Jesus declared:
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. -Matthew 16:18
Which translation is correct? Unfortunately only the Lord knows what exactly He meant since the grammar does not provide sufficient clues. All of the options listed above have scriptural backing.