Matthew 4:17

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

From that time onward Jesus began to preach, saying, “You people [must] repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives], for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Cross References

Matthew 3:2

“You must repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives], for the kingdom of heaven will soon be here.”

Acts 2:38

And Peter replied, “Every one of you must repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives] and be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ [i.e., by His authority] so that your sins will be forgiven [by God] and then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit [to live in your hearts].

Luke 5:32

I did not come to call those who are doing right to repent [i.e., to change their hearts and lives], but [only those who are] sinners.”

Luke 24:47

And [the need for] a change of heart and life in order to receive the forgiveness of sins [from God] will be preached in Jesus’ name [i.e., by His authority] to people of all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Acts 17:30

Now God made allowance for the times when people were still uninformed [about His complete will], but now [in the Gospel age] He requires all people everywhere to repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives].

Matthew 9:13

Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not [only] sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call righteous people [to be my followers] but sinners.”

Acts 26:20

but, [instead] declared to the people of Damascus first, [then] to the people of Jerusalem, and [finally to those] throughout all of the district of Judea, as well as to the Gentiles [everywhere] that they should repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives] and turn to God, doing deeds which demonstrate their repentance.

Luke 15:7

I tell you that, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinful person who repents [i.e., changes his heart and life], than over ninety-nine persons who do not need to repent.

Acts 3:19

Therefore, you people [must] repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives] and turn [back] again [to God] so that your sins will be blotted out and so that you may enjoy times of [spiritual] refreshment from the presence of the Lord [i.e., through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit].

Luke 15:10

In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels [i.e., in heaven (?)] over one sinful person who repents.”

Acts 20:21

[You know how] I testified to both Jews and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles], that they must repent [i.e., change their attitudes and behavior] toward God, and have faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 6:1

So, we should leave the basic principles of Christ’s teaching and go on to maturity. [We should] not lay again a foundation of repentance [i.e., turning away] from deeds of death [i.e., acts that lead to spiritual death or that spring from a spiritually dead person], and of faith in God;

Acts 11:18

So, when the apostles and the brothers from Judea heard these things, they stopped arguing [See verse 2] and gave honor to God, saying, “[This means] that God has permitted the Gentiles also [as well as the Jews] to repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives] so they, too, could have [the promise of never ending] life.”

Matthew 25:1

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be similar to ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the [bride and] groom. [Note: The picture here is that of a newly married couple returning from a festive reception to the groom’s home where they continued celebrating and were welcomed by a late evening wedding party]

Matthew 13:47

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is similar to a drag­net [for fishing] that was cast into the lake and gathered all kinds [of fish].

Matthew 10:7

And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’

Luke 9:2

And He sent them out to preach the [coming] kingdom of God and to heal sick people.

Matthew 11:12

And from the days of John the Immerser the kingdom of heaven is experiencing turmoil, for violent men are [trying to] take control of it [by bringing it into existence] forcibly [i.e., before its appointed time. See Acts 1:6- 7].

Matthew 13:24

[Then] Jesus told them another parable, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is similar to a person who sowed seed in his field,

Matthew 13:9

The person who has ears to hear with ought to listen [to this] carefully.”

Matthew 13:11

He replied, “You disciples are being given an understanding of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but the crowds of people are not.

Matthew 6:10

May your kingdom come [to earth]; may your will be done on earth just as it is [already being done] in heaven.

Luke 3:23

And Jesus was about thirty years old when He began to teach. (It was assumed that) He was the son of Joseph, who was the [legal] son of Heli [Note: A lineage through Jesus’ mother Mary follows:]