What Is The Word Of The Kingdom?

In my studies of the bible, I often run into different texts with challenging and sometimes hard-to-understand meanings. Today was no exception as I read Matthew 13:19 and quickly began to question, what is the word of the kingdom?

The word of the kingdom is simply another phrase for the word of God and can be used interchangeably to describe God’s written text and verbal communication with man or any other living being. The term, “the word” is also used in the same sense and is also considered synonymous with the word of God.

In order to fully understand the term the word of the kingdom, we must take a closer look at the parable in which we find this phrase, keep reading as we take a deeper dive…

How To Understand The Word Of The Kingdom

In Matthew 13:19 where we find this phrase, Jesus is explaining to His disciples the meaning of the parable of the sower. We know from the 4th verse that the word of the kingdom is the seed. Whenever a person hears the word of God that seed is planted in their heart. Jesus is likening it to planting a seed in the ground and just like a seed in the ground in order for the seed to produce it must take root. Not everyone who hears the word of God or the word of the kingdom will receive it in the same way. Everyone has a different heart and can be at different places in their journey to know God.

Likewise just like a seed planted in the ground the seed in our heart must be cultivated and nurtured. The seed In your heart will have many obstacles and distractions to overcome. The word of the kingdom must be nurtured through regular prayer and bible reading, these are food for your newly planted seed. Prayer and bible reading will be like water and sunlight to your seed causing it to take strong root, sprout and grow.

The Parable Of The Sower

Mattew	Chapter 13:3-9, 18-23	The Word Of The Kingdom
Mark	Chapter 4:1-9, 14-20	The Word
Luke	Chapter 8:4-15	The Word Of God

The Word Of What Kingdom?

So you might be wondering what kingdom is Jesus talking about? I want to talk about that a bit as we continue with our studies here. In St. John 18:33 we find Jesus before Pontius Pilate, governor of Judaea, being questioned about why the Jews arrested Him in the first place. Here Pilate asks Jesus, “are you the King of the Jews”? Jesus responds and says, “My Kingdom is not of this world. Not many people understand that there’s a spiritual world running parallel to the earthly world we live in.

Actually, a lot of what happens in this earthly world is greatly influenced by what happens in the spiritual world. In that spiritual world, the kingdom of God reigns. So going back to the term, word of the kingdom, this can also be referred to as the word of knowledge because the spreading of the word of the kingdom is simply the spreading of knowledge, the knowledge of God and His way. Jesus came not only to save us from our sins and failures but also to begin establishing His kingdom through the spreading of His word and law.

That’s why in the 24th verse of this same chapter Jesus describes a man that sowed good seed in his field and while men slept his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. When God created this earth and place Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, He sowed good seed in the earth, it was a perfect creation. The devil came and deceived the woman which brought corruption and sin into the earth. Thankfully, Jesus came to re-establish the kingdom of God in the earth, this will restore the earth and its inhabitance back to the condition it once had at creation.

I do also want to say that the kingdom of God will ultimately be on earth when Christ returns to reign according to Revelation, 19th chapter.

What Is The Message Of The Kingdom?

In order to appreciate the message of the kingdom, we will have to take a look at where humanity is and how we got here. At any given moment there’s someone, somewhere wondering why bad things are allowed to happen if there’s a God. Unfortunately, that will be happening until the end of the world. It all began with Adam and Eve and their disobedience. God actually warned them about the effects of rebellion and disobedience but just like many of us they didn’t listen.

I also don’t think they had any idea how far-reaching the results of their sin would go and how much damage would be done. The good news is the message of the kingdom, which brings forgiveness and restoration which came through Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Adam and Eve’s disobedience caused an eternal separation from God. Romans 6:23 says ” The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life”. This doesn’t only speak of physical death but spiritual death as well.

The word of the Kingdom is the good news that we no longer have to be separated from God but can rather be restored to Him through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. When Jesus returns to reign there will be no more evil. There will be no more sickness and suffering. The word of the kingdom of God is that there will be no more war, murder, and hatred. The reign of King Jesus will usher in an unbelievable peace that the world has never known.

In closing the best part of all of this is there’s still time for anyone who desires to be saved to do so. Jesus said that I come that you might have life and that more abundantly. That promise is for everyone who will believe in His name and work.

Amen, Well friends I pray these words were edifying to you and I want to invite you to download our free guide, “5 Ways To Fight Worry, Anxiousness, And Anxiety
With God’s Word”, I’m sure it will bless your soul. I want to thank you so much for studying with us and being here, we love you and we are praying with you that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is extended to you. Until next time we pray that your faith fails not.

The Complete MacArthur New Testament Commentary, 33 Volumes By John MacArthur / Moody Publishers Intellectually stimulating and personally relevant, this commentary series is ideal for pastors, teachers, and laypeople alike. With practical illustrations and clear verse-by-verse exposition, John MacArthur avoids becoming overly technical, even while tackling problematic topics such as the role of women, spiritual gifts, and the rapture. Using a dispensationalist approach, his purpose is to provide life applications.