Matthew 4:17
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From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand--Thus did our Lord not only take up the strain, but give forth the identical summons of His honored forerunner. Our Lord sometimes speaks of the new kingdom as already come--in His own Person and ministry; but the economy of it was only "at hand" until the blood of the cross was shed, and the Spirit on the day of Pentecost opened the fountain for sin and for uncleanness to the world at large. Calling of Peter and Andrew James and John (Mat 4:18-22).
Open source ↗John Baptist said concerning Christ, He must increase, but I must decrease; and so it proved. For, after John had baptized Christ, and borne his testimony to him, we hear little more of his ministry; he had done what he came to do, and thenceforward there is as much talk of Jesus as ever there had been of John. As the rising Sun advances, the morning star disappears. Concerning Jesus Christ we have in this chapter, I. The temptation he underwent, the triple assault the tempter made upon him, and the repulse he gave to each assault (Mat 4:1-11). II. The teaching work he undertook, the places he preached in (Mat 4:12-16), and the subject he preached on (Mat 4:17). III. His calling of disciples, Peter and Andrew, James and John (Mat 4:18-22). IV. His curing diseases (Mat 4:23, Mat 4:24), and the great resort of the people to him, both to be taught and to be healed.
Open source ↗4:17 Jesus’ message centered on the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven and the repentance that it necessitates (see Matt 3:2; 10:7).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.
Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.
In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”