The Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Gospel of Salvation
Mt 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mt 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Mt 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mt 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mt 5:19 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.
Mt 5:20 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.
Mt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mt 7:21 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.
Mt 8:11 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.
Mt 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Mt 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mt 11:11 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.
Mt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Mt 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Mt 13:11 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.
Mt 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mt 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Mt 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Mt 13:44 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.
Mt 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Mt 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Mt 13:52 Then said he unto them, 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.
Mt 16:19 And I will give unto thee 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.
Mt 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Mt 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mt 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mt 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Mt 19:12 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.
Mt 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Mt 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mt 19:24 And again I say unto you, 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.
Mt 20:1 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.
Mt 21:31 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.
Mt 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Mt 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
Mt 23:13 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.
Mt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mt 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mt 25:14 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.
Mr 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mr 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Mr 4:11 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:
Mr 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Mr 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Mr 9:1 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.
Mr 9:47 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:
Mr 10:14 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.
Mr 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Mr 10:23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Mr 10:24 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!
Mr 10:25 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.
Mr 12:34 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.
Mr 14:25 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.
Mr 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
Lu 4:43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
Lu 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Lu 7:28 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.
Lu 8:1 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,
Lu 8:10 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.
Lu 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Lu 9:11 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.
Lu 9:27 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.
Lu 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
Lu 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Lu 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Lu 10:11 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.
Lu 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Lu 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Lu 13:18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
Lu 13:20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
Lu 13:28 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.
Lu 13:29 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.
Lu 14:15 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.
Lu 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Lu 17:20 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:
Lu 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Lu 18:16 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.
Lu 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
Lu 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Lu 18:25 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.
Lu 18:29 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,
Lu 19:11 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.
Lu 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Lu 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
Lu 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
Lu 23:51 (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.
Joh 3:3 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.
Joh 3:5 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.
Ac 1:3 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:
Ac 8:12 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.
Ac 14:22 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.
Ac 19:8 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.
Ac 20:25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Ac 28:23 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.
Ac 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
1Co 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
1Co 6:9 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,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Ga 5:21 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.
Col 4:11 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.
2Th 1:5 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:
Jesus is said to have preached the “kingdom of heaven” and the “kingdom of God”.
Matthew writes that Jesus preached the “gospel of the kingdom”, in the context of his writing that Jesus preached the “kingdom of heaven is at hand”, indicating that “the gospel of the kingdom” refers to the “kingdom of heaven”. (Mt 4:27, 23)
The majority of Matthew’s references are to the “kingdom of heaven”, but he does also use the phrase “kingdom of God” occasionally.
Jesus’ message was that the “kingdom of heaven” was near.
According to Jesus, the kingdom of heaven was something people could enter, be in, be kept out of, possesses mysteries, suffers violence, and is taken by violent men. It is compared to great treasure, a seeker of great wealth, something that catches a great variety of participants. Access is limited to those with ‘the keys”, yet available even to little children, and society’s lowest members.
In 19:23-24, Matthew recorded Jesus having used both terms: “the kingdom of heaven” and “the kingdom of God” interchangeably when telling His disciples that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom, showing that Jesus uses the two phrases to refer to the same quantity.
In his gospel, Mark exclusively uses the phrase “the kingdom of God”; there is no instance of “the kingdom of heaven” in his writing.
In his first reference, Mark refers to Jesus preaching “the gospel of the kingdom of God”, showing that the kingdom of God is the gospel, and that the “gospel of the kingdom” is that of the kingdom of God.
In the same context in which Matthew recorded Jesus’ declaration that the “kingdom of heaven” was at hand, Mark records the “kingdom of God” as being at hand.
For each parable Jesus used to describe or explain the kingdom, where Matthew used the phrase “kingdom of heaven”, Mark used “kingdom of God”. Because in both instances, they are referring to what Jesus spoke to the people, and the illustrations are otherwise identical, we must conclude that the “kingdom of heaven” and the “kingdom of God” are the same kingdom, and the phrases refer to the same quantity.
Likewise, both Luke and John, which latter writer only referenced this “kingdom” twice in his gospel, used exclusively the phrase “kingdom of God”; “kingdom of heaven” does not appear in either of their gospels.
Luke references some of the same parables, illustrations, and statements concerning the kingdom that are written in Matthew using the “kingdom of heaven” phrase.
John’s two references are unique in their message, but consistent with the context of the other three gospels: that the kingdom of God is something to which the godly and others may aspire, but that it is accessed exclusively through the new birth, without which no man will ever see or enter it. Clearly this kingdom is the same kingdom Jesus repeatedly referred to, as recorded in the three other gospels.
Some suggest that there is more than one gospel message, of which the “kingdom of heaven” or the “kingdom of God” are distinct from the gospel of salvation. Because Jesus came to “call sinners to repentance” and bring salvation, and He proclaimed the kingdom to the crowds which followed Him, we understand that He gave His message in a manner that should potentially be understandable to those to whom He directly spoke. Since Paul dispelled further argument in stating that there is “… one Lord, one faith…”, and wrote extensively in his letters to the Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and Corinthians that God had eliminated by Christ the division that had existed between Jews and Gentiles, because both groups were redeemed to the Lord through forgiveness of sin by the same means as one another – namely faith toward Christ, His death on the cross to cover sin, and His resurrection from the dead bringing everlasting life – that Jesus was not proclaiming two different messages or types of relationship with God, but was declaring the one and only means of reconciliation with God and the resulting condition of those who were reconciled with Him.
Finally, Paul’s writings and Luke’s account of Paul’s missionary journeys frequently refer to Paul preaching to both Jews and Gentiles the “kingdom of God”. Paul did not preach a different gospel to different people, but emphasized the uniqueness of the only message of salvation through the only Saviour, which necessarily means that the message of the kingdom of God, to Paul, was part of what people join when they become saints of Christ.
A kingdom is a realm in which one reigns as king. Jesus Christ is King of Kings (1 Tim 6:15), and the LORD God almighty is the great King. (1 Tim 1:17; Rev 19:16; Jer 10:10)
Jesus said that “heaven is God’s throne” (Mt 5:34); a throne is the seat from which a regent rules his kingdom. The kingdom of heaven would be the kingdom over which the heavenly King rules. While God is King over all the earth (Ps 47:7), not all His subjects submit themselves to His regency. (Rom 1) As we know that one day, “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess to God” (Is 45:23; Rom 14:11; Phil 2:10), every soul that does receive the Lord Jesus Christ will have “enter[ed] [His] kingdom”, for Jesus also said that “the kingdom of God is within you.” In other words, the kingdom of God is every person who has, through faith in the blood of Christ, entered into the body of those who recognize and live according to the sovereignty of God.
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