Matthew 4:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Complete Jewish Bible:

From that time on, Yeshua began proclaiming, "Turn from your sins to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!"

Berean Standard Bible:

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

American Standard Version:

From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

From^{G575} that time^{G5119} Jesus^{G2424} began^{G756} to preach^{G2784}, and^{G2532} to say^{G3004}, Repent^{G3340}: for^{G1063} the kingdom^{G932} of heaven^{G3772} is at hand^{G1448}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Matthew 4:17

Matthew 4:17 marks a pivotal moment in the Gospel narrative, signaling the commencement of Jesus' public ministry. The verse reads, "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." This proclamation comes immediately after Jesus' time of testing in the wilderness, where He successfully resisted the temptations of Satan, thus affirming His readiness and divine calling to inaugurate a new era of spiritual and moral teaching.

The command to "repent" is central to Jesus' message. Repentance here implies a profound transformation of mind and heart, a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. This call to repentance is rooted in the Jewish prophetic tradition, which often urged the people to return to faithful observance of God's laws and covenant.

The phrase "the kingdom of heaven is at hand" refers to the imminent realization of God's sovereign rule on earth. In the historical context of first-century Palestine, under Roman occupation, this message would have resonated with messianic expectations. The Jewish people were anticipating a deliverer who would restore Israel's autonomy and establish divine justice. Jesus' announcement that the kingdom was near suggested that He was the long-awaited Messiah, but with a twist: His kingdom would be spiritual and eternal rather than political and temporal.

This verse encapsulates key themes in Jesus' teaching, including the necessity of repentance and the nearness of God's kingdom. It sets the stage for the Sermon on the Mount and other teachings where Jesus elaborates on the nature of this kingdom and the life that its citizens are called to live—a life characterized by love, humility, and righteousness. Matthew 4:17 thus serves as a succinct summary of the Gospel's central message, inviting individuals to realign their lives with the values and priorities of God's reign.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G575
   There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀπό
   Transliteration: apó
   Pronunciation: apo'
   Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
   
2. Strong's Number: G5119
   There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τότε
   Transliteration: tóte
   Pronunciation: tot'-eh
   Description: from (the neuter of) ὁ and ὅτε; the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution):--that time, then.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2424
   There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
   Transliteration: Iēsoûs
   Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
   
4. Strong's Number: G756
   There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄρχομαι
   Transliteration: árchomai
   Pronunciation: ar'-khom-ahee
   Description: middle voice of ἄρχω (through the implication, of precedence); to commence (in order of time):--(rehearse from the) begin(-ning).
   
5. Strong's Number: G2784
   There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κηρύσσω
   Transliteration: kērýssō
   Pronunciation: kay-roos'-so
   Description: of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel):--preacher(-er), proclaim, publish.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3340
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μετανοέω
   Transliteration: metanoéō
   Pronunciation: met-an-o-eh'-o
   Description: from μετά and νοιέω; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction):--repent.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
10. Strong's Number: G932
    There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: βασιλεία
    Transliteration: basileía
    Pronunciation: bas-il-i'-ah
    Description: from βασιλεύς; properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively):--kingdom, + reign.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3772
    There are 264 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐρανός
    Transliteration: ouranós
    Pronunciation: oo-ran-os'
    Description: perhaps from the same as ὄρος (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity):--air, heaven(-ly), sky.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1448
    There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐγγίζω
    Transliteration: engízō
    Pronunciation: eng-id'-zo
    Description: from ἐγγύς; to make near, i.e. (reflexively) approach:--approach, be at hand, come (draw) near, be (come, draw) nigh.