Evidence that Jewish zealotry was in mind in Luke 17:20–21 is seen in the Synoptic parallels: “So, if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say,‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it” (Matt 24:26; emphasis added). Compared to other the commonly postulated signs, insurgent scheming seems to better fit in the Judean wilderness and/or in Jerusalem’s inner rooms. According to Josephus, seditious movements were relatively common in the first century. They are also seen in the New Testament (cf. Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19; Acts 5:36–37; 21:38). Moreover, such insurrectionists seem to better fit the parallel descriptions of “false messiahs” (Matt 24:24; Mark 13:22), who would provoke the popular declaration: “‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘Look! There he is!’” (Mark 13:21). Looking (Gk. ἰδού) here and there (Gk. ὧδε, ἐκεῖ) in Matthew 24:26 and Mark 13:21 is clearly associated with messianic expectations. The same would seem to apply to looking here and there in Luke 17:21a and 17:23a. The best context for this errant first-century messianic expectation seems to be Jewish zealotry. - John P. Harrigan, Signs of Jewish Zealotry in Luke 17.20-21