This document discusses the concept of the "Kingdom of God" in the New Testament. It examines the ministry of Jesus and how he preached about the Kingdom of God being near or at hand. It also looks at how the Kingdom of God was central to the teachings of Jesus in the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and how Jesus sent his disciples out to preach and teach about the Kingdom of God. Scholars view the Kingdom of God as a multifaceted and tensive symbol that refers to the hope of Israel and God becoming king through the return from exile, renewal, and the defeat of Satan at the final judgment.

1. ENCOUNTERING THE NT
THE MINISTRY OF JESUS IN CONTEXT
‘THE KINGDOM OF GOD’
Heb. malkûṯ yhwh;
Aram. malkûṯā˒;
Gk. basileía toú theoú,
QUEST FOR THE
HISTORICAL JESUS
Criteria of Authenticity
Criterion of Multiple
Attestation in Sources
• 13x Mark
• 13x Q
• 25x M
• 6x L
• 2x John
Criterion of Multiple Forms
• Parables
• Prayers
• Beatitudes
• Eschatological
Prophecies
MATTHEW
KOH 32X, KOG 4X
23 And Jesus said to his
disciples, “Truly, I say to you,
only with difficulty will a rich
person enter the kingdom of
heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is
easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle than for a rich
person to enter the kingdom of
God.” 19:23-25

2. CRITERION OF DISSIMILARITY
CENTRALITY OF KOG TO SYNOPTICS
Mark 1:14-15
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came
into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God,
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God is at hand; repent and
believe in the gospel.”
Matthew 4:3
From that time Jesus began to preach,
saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven
is at hand.”
39 And he went throughout all Galilee,
preaching in their synagogues and casting
out demons.
Matthew 4:23 (ESV)
23 And he went throughout all Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues and
proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and
healing every disease and every affliction
among the people.
Mark 6:6 (ESV)
And he marveled because of their unbelief.
And he went about among the villages
teaching.
Matthew 9:35 (ESV)
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities
and villages, teaching in their synagogues
and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom
and healing every disease and every
affliction.
DISCIPLES AND KOG WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
Mark 6:7,12 (ESV)
And he called the twelve and
began to send them out two by
two, and gave them authority
over the unclean spirits....12 So
they went out and proclaimed
that people should repent.
13 And they cast out many
demons and anointed with oil
many who were sick and healed
them.
Luke 9:1–2 (ESV)
1 And he called the
twelve together and
gave them power and
authority over all
demons and to cure
diseases, 2 and he sent
them out to proclaim
the kingdom of God and
to heal.
Matthew 10:7–11 (ESV)
7 And proclaim as you go,
saying, ‘The kingdom of
heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal
the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse lepers, cast out
demons.
Luke 10:1–11 (ESV)
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two
by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go..... 9 Heal the sick
in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever
you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the
dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know
this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’
Mark 1:14-15
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into
Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and
saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of
God is at hand; repent and believe in the
gospel.”
SHORTHAND: WHEN GOD BECOMES KING
MULTIFACETED TENSIVE SYMBOL

3. ‘HOPE OF ISRAEL’
Return from Exile
Renewed and Abundant Prosperity
Messianic Figure
Renewed Covenant and Outpouring of Spirit
Building a New Temple
Return of YHWH to Zion
Future of Nations
Climatic Period of Tribulation/Suffering
Defeat of Satan
Final Judgement