Matthew 10:7 kjv

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 10:7 nkjv

And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

Matthew 10:7 niv

As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.'

Matthew 10:7 esv

And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

Matthew 10:7 nlt

Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

Matthew 10 verses

Matthew 10 7 Meaning

Matthew 10:7 instructs the twelve disciples sent out by Jesus to preach the good news that the "kingdom of heaven is at hand." This command establishes the core message of their initial mission: God's sovereign rule, which had been anticipated for ages, was now powerfully manifesting through Jesus and was imminently present and accessible to those who would receive Him. It signifies the commencement of a new divine order, bringing spiritual realities of righteousness, peace, and joy, along with the promise of divine power.

Matthew 10 7 Context

Matthew chapter 10 records Jesus' first specific commission and instruction to His twelve apostles before sending them out. This mission was distinct, being initially limited to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Mt 10:6) and specifically focused on proclaiming the nearness of the Kingdom of Heaven. It serves as an early training period for the disciples, preparing them for wider future ministry while demonstrating God's redemptive work unfolding in a focused geographic and demographic scope before the full revelation of the Cross and Resurrection.

Matthew 10 7 Word analysis

• And as ye go (καὶ πορευόμενοι, kai poreuomenoi): "Go" indicates an active, obedient movement initiated by divine command. The participle poreuomenoi emphasizes continuous action – "as you are going" or "while going." It's not a destination, but a posture of active service in motion. This highlights that ministry is not static but involves outward movement.

• preach (κηρύσσετε, kēryssēte): This word implies a public, authoritative proclamation, like a herald announcing a king's decree. It means to declare, proclaim aloud, publish. It is not merely teaching or advising, but delivering an official message with divine authority. It conveys the idea of an unambiguous and open declaration to be heard by all.

• saying (λέγοντες, legontes): A standard word indicating the content of the proclamation. It is a direct quotation of the specific message to be delivered, emphasizing precision and faithfulness to the message. It underscores that the message is prescribed and not open to individual interpretation or alteration by the disciples.

• The kingdom (Ἡ βασιλεία, Hē basileia): Refers to God's royal power and kingly rule, rather than merely a physical territory or a fixed location. It signifies God's dynamic sovereignty, His authoritative dominion over all things. In the New Testament, it represents the effective rule of God that breaks into human history, manifested uniquely through Jesus Christ.

• of heaven (τῶν οὐρανῶν, tōn ouranōn): Matthew's frequent preference for "kingdom of heaven" over "kingdom of God" (used by Mark and Luke). This is likely a reverential Jewish expression to avoid direct utterance of the divine name. It clarifies that the kingdom is divine in origin and nature, emanating from God's transcendent realm. It emphasizes God's sovereign authority as it is established from above.

• is at hand (ἤγγικεν, ēngiken): From engizō, meaning "to draw near," "to come near," or "to have arrived and be present." This is a crucial phrase. It implies more than mere proximity in time; it suggests presence and accessibility. The long-awaited reign of God is not just imminent, but has already begun to invade the present world through Jesus' ministry, signs, and teaching. It is not merely "about to come," but "has arrived and is here to be entered into."

• Words-group Analysis:

  • And as ye go, preach: Emphasizes active, ongoing evangelistic work. The very act of journeying for ministry is entwined with the proclamation. Their lifestyle and mission are inseparable.
  • preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand: This forms the complete message. It's a declaration of divine immediacy and significance. The emphasis is on the content of the message itself – a clear, succinct summary of Jesus' transformative mission. It's the central truth around which all their subsequent actions (healing, casting out demons) revolve.

Matthew 10 7 Bonus section

The immediate message of "the kingdom of heaven is at hand" by Jesus and His disciples, while clearly indicating a present reality, also maintained an inherent tension with the future, complete consummation of the kingdom. The full, undisputed reign of God has yet to be fully established at the return of Christ, but its power and presence are already experienced in those who submit to God's rule. This duality of "already" (presently accessible) and "not yet" (fully realized) is central to New Testament theology. Furthermore, this initial commissioning of the twelve was deliberately restricted in its scope (Mt 10:5-6) – specifically to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" and before Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. This pre-Resurrection mission provided critical training for the disciples and demonstrated God's faithfulness to His covenant people, paving the way for the broader, global commission given after His resurrection (Mt 28:18-20). The urgency implied by "at hand" underscored the need for immediate response from Israel to their long-awaited Messiah.

Matthew 10 7 Commentary

Matthew 10:7 provides the fundamental mandate and message for the disciples' first mission. Their role as heralds was to publicly announce a radical spiritual truth: God's sovereign rule, which had been anticipated through centuries of prophecy, was not merely approaching, but had genuinely drawn near and was manifesting in the present through Jesus the Messiah. This proclamation, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand," echoed John the Baptist's and Jesus' own initial sermons, signifying a decisive shift in redemptive history. It was a call to repentance and readiness, as the very presence of God's active reign among humanity meant a reordering of priorities and a divine intervention into the human condition. The disciples were empowered to deliver this message, reinforcing it with signs and wonders, demonstrating the tangible reality of God's dominion in a fallen world. This brief instruction encapsulated the urgency and transformative power of the gospel that they were privileged to bear.