Biblical theme · Major biblical concepts
The Kingdom of God in the Bible
God as king in the Old Testament, Jesus announcing the kingdom, his parables of the kingdom, who enters it, and the kingdom still to come.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Jesus began his preaching by announcing, “The Kingdom of God is at hand!” The Old Testament had long spoken of God as king, and Daniel of a kingdom that will never be destroyed. Mark 1:14–15Psalm 145:11–13Daniel 2:44
In the Gospels the kingdom is present in Jesus’ ministry and still to come: his followers pray, “Your Kingdom come.” Matthew usually says “the Kingdom of Heaven” where Mark and Luke say “the Kingdom of God”. Luke 17:20–21Matthew 6:10
Central passages
- Psalm 145:10–13
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures throughout all generations.
- Daniel 2:44
The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.
- Daniel 7:13–14
One like a son of man is given an everlasting dominion, a title Jesus uses of himself.
- Mark 1:14–15
The time is fulfilled; the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe.
- Luke 4:42–43
“I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other cities also. For this reason I have been sent.”
- Matthew 12:28
If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
- Luke 17:20–21
The kingdom is not coming with observation; “the Kingdom of God is within you” (or “among you”).
- Mark 4:26–32
Seed that grows by itself, and the mustard seed that becomes a great plant.
- Matthew 13:44–46
The kingdom is like treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great price.
- Matthew 5:3–10
The kingdom belongs to the poor in spirit and to those persecuted for righteousness.
- Mark 10:13–16
Whoever does not receive the kingdom like a little child will not enter it.
- John 3:3–5
Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
- Matthew 6:10
“Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
- Revelation 11:15
The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.
Across Scripture
Each passage is labelled with why it belongs: central teaching, narrative example, supporting passage, comparison, contrast or interpretive connection.
God is king
The psalms and Daniel speak of God’s everlasting reign.
- Psalm 145:10–13 Central teaching
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures throughout all generations.
- Psalm 93:1–2 Supporting passage
The LORD reigns; your throne is established from long ago.
- Daniel 2:44 Central teaching
The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.
- Daniel 7:13–14 Central teaching
One like a son of man is given an everlasting dominion, a title Jesus uses of himself.
Jesus announces the kingdom
The kingdom is the centre of Jesus’ preaching and is shown in his actions.
- Mark 1:14–15 Central teaching
The time is fulfilled; the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe.
- Luke 4:42–43 Central teaching
“I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other cities also. For this reason I have been sent.”
- Matthew 12:28 Central teaching
If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
- Luke 17:20–21 Central teaching
The kingdom is not coming with observation; “the Kingdom of God is within you” (or “among you”).
Parables of the kingdom
Jesus describes the kingdom with pictures of growth and of treasure.
- Mark 4:26–32 Central teaching
Seed that grows by itself, and the mustard seed that becomes a great plant.
- Matthew 13:44–46 Central teaching
The kingdom is like treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great price.
- Matthew 20:1–16 Supporting passage
The kingdom is like a landowner who pays the last as the first.
Who enters
Jesus speaks of the poor in spirit, children and the born again as entering the kingdom.
- Matthew 5:3–10 Central teaching
The kingdom belongs to the poor in spirit and to those persecuted for righteousness.
- Mark 10:13–16 Central teaching
Whoever does not receive the kingdom like a little child will not enter it.
- John 3:3–5 Central teaching
Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
- Matthew 7:21 Supporting passage
Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter, but whoever does the Father’s will.
Your kingdom come
The kingdom is prayed for and expected in its fullness.
- Matthew 6:10 Central teaching
“Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
- Revelation 11:15 Central teaching
The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 15:24–28 Supporting passage
At the end Christ hands over the kingdom to God the Father.
Stories that show this theme
- The Birth of Jesus
Gabriel says Jesus’ kingdom will have no end. Luke 1:33
People associated with this theme
Distinctions and questions of interpretation
- Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven
- Matthew mostly says “Kingdom of Heaven” where Mark and Luke say “Kingdom of God” for the same sayings, as in the parable of the mustard seed. Matthew 13:31Mark 4:30–31
- Now and not yet
- Some sayings speak of the kingdom as already present, others as still to come. Christians weigh these differently, but both are in the Gospels. Matthew 12:28Matthew 6:10
- Kingdom and political power
- Before Pilate Jesus says, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36
Related themes
- Repentance
Jesus’ announcement of the kingdom calls for repentance. Mark 1:15
Questions for reflection
Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
- What does Jesus say about the kingdom in Mark 1:15, and what response does he ask for?
- What do the parables in Mark 4:26-32 suggest about how the kingdom grows?
- What kind of people does Jesus say the kingdom belongs to in Matthew 5:3-10?
- What would it mean in your life to pray “your Kingdom come”?
Study guides
- The Sermon on the Mount
The sermon begins and ends with the kingdom. Matthew 5:3Matthew 7:21
- The Parables of Jesus
Many parables describe the kingdom. Mark 4:26–32
- Understanding the Lord’s Prayer
Your kingdom come. Matthew 6:10
Reading plans
- The Parables of Jesus
Many parables describe the kingdom. Mark 4:26–32