The Kingdom of God
or
The Kingdom of Heaven
G.D.O'Bradovich III
October 18, 2019
The thirty three verses referring to the “kingdom of heaven” are only found in the Gospel of Matthew, whereas the seventy occurrences of the “kingdom of God” are found throughout the New Testament as follows:
Matthew
Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians Galatians Colossians 2 Thessalonians |
5
15 32 2 7 1 4 1 1 1 |
As a general observation, we may say that the “kingdom of heaven” is important to Saint Matthew and the “kingdom of God” is important to Saint Luke.
The Kingdom of Heaven
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. -Matthew 3:2
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
-Matthew 4:17
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.-Matthew 5:3
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.-Matthew 5:10
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 5:19-20
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. -Matthew 7:21
And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 8:11
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. -Matthew 10:7
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. -Matthew 11:12
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. -Matthew 13:11
The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: -Matthew 13:24
The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
-Matthew 13:31
The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. -Matthew 13:33
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: -Matthew 13:44-45
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: -Matthew 13:47
Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. -Matthew 13:52
And I will give unto thee [Saint Peter] the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. -Matthew 16:19
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? -Matthew 18:1
Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 18:3-4
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. -Matthew 18:23
For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
-Matthew 19:12
Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
-Matthew 19:14
Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 19:23
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. -Matthew 20:1
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, -Matthew 22:2
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
-Matthew 23:13
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. -Matthew 25:1
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. -Matthew 25:14
The Kingdom of God
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. -Matthew 6:33
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
-Matthew 12:28
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. -Matthew 19:24
Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
-Matthew 21:31
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. -Matthew 21:43
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. -Mark.1:14-15
And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: -Mark.4:11
And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; -Mark.4:26
And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? -Mark.4:30
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. -Mark.9:1
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: -Mark.9:47
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
-Mark.10:14-15
And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. -Mark.10:23-25
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. -Mark.12:34
Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. -Mark.14:25
Joseph of Arimathaea, and honourable counseller, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. -Mark.15:43
And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. -Luke 4:43
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. -Luke 6:20
For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. -Luke 7:28
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, -Luke 8:1
And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. -Luke 8:10
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. -Luke 9:2
And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. -Luke 9:11
But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. -Luke 9:27
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
-Luke 9:60
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. -Luke 9:62
And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
-Luke 10:9
Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. -Luke 10:11
But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
-Luke 11:20
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. -Luke 12:31
Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? -Luke 13:18
And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? -Luke 13:20
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. -Luke 13:28-29
And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. -Luke 14:15
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. -Luke 16 :16
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. -Luke 17:20-21
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. -Luke 18:16-17
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. -Luke 18:24-25
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, -Luke 18:29
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. -Luke 19 :11
So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. -Luke 21:31
For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
-Luke 22:16
For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
-Luke 22:18
(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. -Luke 23:51
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. -John 3:3
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. -John 3:5
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: -Acts 1:3
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. -Acts 8:12
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. -Acts 14:22
And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. -Acts 19:8
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. -Acts 20 :25
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. -Acts 28 :23
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. -Acts 28:31
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. -Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. -1 Corinthians 4:20
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. -1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. -1 Corinthians 15:50
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
-Galatians 5 :21
And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. -Colossians 4 :11
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: -2 Thessalonians 1 :5
Discussion
Certain points that direct the reader to the Kingdom of heaven:
The Kingdom of heaven is near: Matthew 3:2, 4:17, 10:7
Those breaking commandments will be least: 5:19 One must be more righteous than scribes to enter: 5:20 Not everyone who calls Jesus "Lord" will enter: 7:21 Mysteries associated with: 13:11 Described in parables: 13:24,31,33,44,45,47,52; 18:23, 20:1, 22:2, 25:1,14 Keys are to Saint Peter: 16:19 Little Children: 18:34, 19:14 Not for the rich: 19:23 Not for hypocrites: 23:13 |
Twelve parables are given to describe the kingdom of heaven:
13:24,
31, 33, 44, 45, 47, 52; 18:23, 20:1, 22:2, 25:1, 14 |
A man which sowed good seed in his field
A grain of mustard seed Unto leaven Unto treasure hid in a field Unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls Unto a net, that was cast into the sea Unto a man that is an householder A certain king which would take account of his servants A man that is an householder A certain king which made a marriage for his son Ten virgins which took their lamps A man travelling into a far country |
Jesus states that whoever breaks the commandments, that is, the Law of Israel, will be the least in the Kingdom of heaven.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: -Matthew 5:18-19 |
Kingdom of God
Certain aspects concerning the Kingdom of God:
Born again: John 3:3
Water and spirit: John 3:5 Casting out devils: Matthew 12:28 Difficult for the Rich: Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:23,24,25, Luke 18:24,25 Physical Kingdom: Matthew 21:43, Luke 13:28,29 Near: Mark 1:14-15, Luke 12:21, Luke 21:31 Mysteries associated with: Mark 4:11, Luke 8:10 Parables: Mark 4:26,30 Some not die will see: Mark 9:1, Luke 9:27 Physically deformed can inherit: Mark 9:47 Children: Mark 10:14,15; Luke 18:16,17 Glad tidings with: Luke 8:1 Started after John the Baptist: Luke 16:16 Not physical, within you: Luke 17:21 Tribulation associated with: Acts 14:22 For righteous: Romans 14:17 Power associated with: 1 Corinthians 4:20 Unrighteous cannot inherit: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:21 Not for flesh and blood: 1 Corinthians 15:50 |
The kingdom of God exists in the real world and can be lost:
The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
-Matthew 21:43
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. -Luke 13:28-29
The kingdom of God exists within individuals:
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. -Luke 17:20-21
Saint Paul writes that the kingdom of God is not physical, since:
[Flesh] and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. -1 Corinthians 15:50