The Kingdom, Part 4

In the first three parts of this series, I made three major points:

1. The kingdom of God is where God reigns, whether in heaven or on the earth
2. Jesus' ministry is kingdom-focused, and to understand Jesus we need to understand the kingdom.
3. The kingdom of God looks like the lifestyle and teachings of Jesus.

And the ultimate question is: is God the king of your life? As Christians, our goal should not be to merely believe, but to follow. Are you merely a believer, or are you also a follower?

I'm going to hit the pause button on this series, but before I do, I wanted to offer a resource: every verse where the word "kingdom" appears in the New Testament. 

One of my favorite ways to study a word (or concept) in scripture is to look up every time it appears; if you read all of the examples of a word, you get a better understanding of what that word truly means.

(Every verse listed here is from the NIV, and I've put in bold whichever word was translated from the original Greek βασιλεία. Occasionally translators use different English words to refer to the same Greek word. I also realize that a thorough, scholarly word study involves more than referring to a concordance, but for most of us, this is an incredibly helpful place to start.)

βασιλεία ("Kingdom") Word Study

and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." (Matthew 3:2)

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. (Matthew 4:8)

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." (Matthew 4:17)

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:23)

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)

Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19)

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20)

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)

I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 8:11)

But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 8:12)

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. (Matthew 9:35)

As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' (Matthew 10:7)

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:11)

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. (Matthew 11:12)

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. (Matthew 12:25)

If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? (Matthew 12:26)

But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Matthew 12:28)

He replied, "Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. (Matthew 13:11)

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. (Matthew 13:19)

Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. (Matthew 13:24)

He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. (Matthew 13:31)

He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough." (Matthew 13:33)

The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, (Matthew 13:38)

The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. (Matthew 13:41)

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear. (Matthew 13:43)

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. (Matthew 13:44)

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. (Matthew 13:45)

"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. (Matthew 13:47)

He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old." (Matthew 13:52)

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19)

"Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." (Matthew 16:28)

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (Matthew 18:1)

And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)

Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4)

"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. (Matthew 18:23)

For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others--and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it." (Matthew 19:12)

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:23)

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24)

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. (Matthew 20:1)

"What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom." (Matthew 20:21)

"Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. (Matthew 21:31)

"Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. (Matthew 21:43)

"The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. (Matthew 22:2)

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. (Matthew 23:13)

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. (Matthew 24:7)

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. (Matthew 25:1)

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. (Matthew 25:34)

I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:29)

"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15)

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. (Mark 3:24)

He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables (Mark 4:11)

He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. (Mark 4:26)

Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? (Mark 4:30)

And he promised her with an oath, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom." (Mark 6:23)

And he said to them, "Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power." (Mark 9:1)

And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, (Mark 9:47)

When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (Mark 10:14)

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15)

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:23)

The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! (Mark 10:24)

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:25)

"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (Mark 11:10)

When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. (Mark 12:34)

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. (Mark 13:8)

"Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." (Mark 14:25)

Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. (Mark 15:43)

and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:33)

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. (Luke 4:5)

But he said, "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." (Luke 4:43)

Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20)

I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." (Luke 7:28)

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, (Luke 8:1)

He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, " 'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.' (Luke 8:10)

and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:2)

but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. (Luke 9:11)

"Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:27)

Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:60)

Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' (Luke 10:9)

'Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.' (Luke 10:11)

He said to them, "When you pray, say: " 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. (Luke 11:2)

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. (Luke 11:17)

If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. (Luke 11:18)

But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Luke 11:20)

But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. (Luke 12:31)

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? (Luke 13:18)

Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? (Luke 13:20)

"There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. (Luke 13:28)

People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. (Luke 13:29)

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." (Luke 14:15)

"The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. (Luke 16:16)

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, (Luke 17:20)

nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst." (Luke 17:21)

But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (Luke 18:16)

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Luke 18:17)

Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! (Luke 18:24)

Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:25)

"Truly I tell you," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God (Luke 18:29)

While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. (Luke 19:11)

He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. (Luke 19:12)

"He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. (Luke 19:15)

Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. (Luke 21:10)

Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. (Luke 21:31)

For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." (Luke 22:16)

For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." (Luke 22:18)

And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, (Luke 22:29)

so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:30)

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." (Luke 23:42)

who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. (Luke 23:51)

Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." (John 3:3)

Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5)

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place." (John 18:36)

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)

Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6)

But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)

strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. (Acts 14:22)

Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. (Acts 19:8)

"Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. (Acts 20:25)

They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. (Acts 28:23)

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ--with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:31)

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (Romans 14:17)

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men (1 Corinthians 6:9)

nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10)

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. (1 Corinthians 15:24)

I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (1 Corinthians 15:50)

and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21)

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a person is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:5)

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, (Colossians 1:13)

Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. (Colossians 4:11)

encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:12)

All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. (2 Thessalonians 1:5)

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: (2 Timothy 4:1)

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:18)

But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. (Hebrews 1:8)

who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, (Hebrews 11:33)

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, (Hebrews 12:28)

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? (James 2:5)

and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:11)

and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:6)

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. (Revelation 1:9)

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." (Revelation 5:10)

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever." (Revelation 11:15)

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. (Revelation 12:10)

The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony (Revelation 16:10)

"The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. (Revelation 17:12)

For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God's words are fulfilled. (Revelation 17:17)

The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth." (Revelation 17:18)