Why did John the Baptist proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2)?

Response

For various reasons, it is crucial that John the Baptist preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” «and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. », (Matthew 3:2, ESV).

Malachi 3:1 prophesied that a messenger would come to prepare the way for Israel’s Messiah. The arrival of the Messiah would signify the coming of the King, followed by the Day of the Lord, and ultimately, the beginning of the Messianic Kingdom. John fulfilled that role as the messenger, tasked with readying the people to receive their Messiah. His call for repentance indicated the necessity for a change of heart. Jesus also preached this same message, as seen in Matthew 4:17, highlighting that the people believed their righteousness and lineage from Abraham and Moses, along with their obedience to Mosaic laws, would grant them access to God’s kingdom. However, in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), Jesus clarified that true entry into His kingdom required a shift in mindset. Mere self-righteousness, heritage, and deeds were insufficient; genuine internal righteousness was essential. The people not only needed a king but also a savior, a need many failed to recognize.

To emphasize this need, both John and Jesus declared that the people must “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near,” or “has come near” (CSB). While God’s eternal kingdom currently resides in heaven, passages like 2 Samuel 7 and Revelation 19–20 foretell the future physical manifestation of God’s kingdom on earth. As this will be a heavenly kingdom, the repentance call was crucial to prepare the hearts and minds of the people for the imminent arrival of this divine kingdom.Upon changing location to earth, John and Jesus (as recorded in Matthew) typically refer to it as “the kingdom of heaven” (or, literally, “the kingdom of the heavens”).

The kingdom was described as “at hand” or “near” in Jesus’ day because the King had arrived. However, the people were not prepared for the kingdom as they had not yet recognized their need for the righteousness that the King would bring. Due to this lack of understanding and the arrival of the King, the message of John and Jesus was crucial—the people genuinely needed to repent (alter their thinking about how they could enter the kingdom). While many individuals did change their perspective on how to attain righteousness, the leaders and the nation as a whole did not (Matthew 12—13), and they rejected Jesus as their King. Consequently, Jesus postponed the kingdom and sacrificed Himself to atone for sins so that those who have faith in Him can be part of His kingdom eternally.

In Revelation 19—20, Jesus returns to earth as the King, reigning over Israel for one thousand years. Following this period, He assumes His role as Judge, and once judgment is complete, His kingdom endures in a new earth for eternity. Based on the future insights provided by the Bible, we understand the importance of “repenting, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We must change our perspective on how we attain righteousness and depend on God’s grace and Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross, rather than relying on our own deeds and endeavors. For those who have put their faith in Him, we have already been transferred to His kingdom “who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” (Colossians 1:13), but since His kingdom has not yet arrived—because the King is not yet present—we should focus our minds on heavenly matters where He resides, rather than on the transient things of earth.

Explore the Bible passage in Colossians 3:1-4.