Matthew 3:2

The Passion Translation

“Heaven’s kingdom is about to appear—so you’d better keep turning away from evil and turn back to God!”

Cross References

Ezekiel 33:11

“Say to them, ‘As surely as I, Lord Yahweh, exist—I take no delight in the death of the wicked, but I delight in seeing them turn from their ways so they can live. So, repent and turn from your evil ways. People of Israel, why would you want to die? Turn and come back to me!’

Daniel 2:44

“In the days of those kings of iron and clay, the God of heaven will set up an eternal kingdom that will never be destroyed nor ruled by other people. It will shatter and bring all other kingdoms to an end, and it will stand forever!

Matthew 10:7

And as you go, preach this message: ‘Heaven’s kingdom realm is accessible, close enough to touch.’

Matthew 11:20

Then Jesus began to openly denounce the cities where he had done most of his mighty miracles, because the people failed to turn away from sin and return to God.

Matthew 12:41

The people of Nineveh will also rise up on the day of judgment to condemn this generation. For they all repented when they heard the preaching of Jonah. And there is one greater than Jonah here preaching to you today!

Matthew 13:11

He explained, “You’ve been given the intimate experience of insight into the hidden mysteries of the realm of heaven’s kingdom, but they have not.

Matthew 13:24

Then Jesus taught them another parable: “Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to a farmer who planted good seed in his field.

Matthew 13:31

Then Jesus taught them another parable: “Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to the tiny mustard seed that a man takes and plants in his field.

Matthew 13:33

Then he taught them another parable: “Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to yeast that a woman takes and blends into three measures of flour and then waits until all the dough rises.”

Matthew 13:47

“Again, heaven’s kingdom realm is like a fisherman who casts his large net into the lake, catching an assortment of fish.

Matthew 13:52

He responded, “Every scholar of the Scriptures, who is instructed in the ways of heaven’s kingdom realm, is like a wealthy home owner with his house filled with treasures both new and old.”

Matthew 18:23

The lessons of forgiveness in heaven’s kingdom realm can be illustrated like this: “There once was a king who had servants who had borrowed money from the royal treasury. He decided to settle accounts with each of them.

Matthew 20:1

“This will help you understand the way heaven’s kingdom operates: “There once was a wealthy landowner who went out at daybreak to hire all the laborers he could find to work in his vineyard.

Matthew 22:2

He illustrated the reality of heaven’s kingdom realm by saying, “There once was a king who arranged an extravagant wedding feast for his son.

Matthew 23:13

“Great sorrow awaits you religious scholars and you Pharisees—such frauds and pretenders! You do all you can to keep people from experiencing the reality of heaven’s kingdom realm. Not only do you refuse to enter in, you also forbid anyone else from entering in!

Matthew 25:1

“When my coming draws near, heaven’s kingdom realm can be compared to ten maidens who took their oil lamps and went outside to meet the bridegroom and his bride.

Matthew 25:14

“Again, heaven’s kingdom is like a wealthy man who went on a long journey and summoned all his trusted servants and assigned his financial management over to them.

Matthew 4:17

From that time on Jesus began to proclaim his message with these words: “Keep turning away from your sins and come back to God, for heaven’s kingdom realm is now accessible.”

Matthew 4:23

Jesus ministered from place to place throughout all of the province of Galilee. He taught in the synagogues, preaching the wonderful news of the kingdom and healing every kind of sickness and disease among the people.

Matthew 5:10

“How enriched you are when persecuted for doing what is right! For then you experience the realm of heaven’s kingdom.

Matthew 5:3

“What happiness comes to you when you feel your spiritual poverty! For yours is the realm of heaven’s kingdom.

Matthew 6:10

Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:33

“So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.

Mark 1:15

His message was this: “At last the fulfillment of the age has come! It is time for God’s kingdom to be experienced in its fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the hope-filled gospel!”

Mark 1:4

John the Baptizer was the messenger who appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the complete cancellation of sins.

Mark 6:12

So they went out and preached publicly that everyone should repent.

Luke 1:16

And he will persuade many in Israel to convert and turn back to the Lord their God.

Luke 11:20

But if I am casting out demons by God’s mighty power, God’s kingdom is now released upon you—but you still reject it!

Luke 13:3

No, they weren’t! So listen to me, unless you all repent, you will perish as they did.

Luke 13:5

No, they weren’t, and unless you repent, you too will all eternally perish, just as they did.”

Luke 15:10

That’s the way God responds every time one lost sinner repents and turns to him. He says to all his angels, ‘Let’s have a joyous celebration, for the one who was lost, I have found!’ ”

Luke 15:7

Jesus continued, “In the same way, there will be a glorious celebration in heaven over the rescue of one lost sinner who repents, comes back home, and returns to the fold—more so than for all the righteous people who never strayed away.”

Luke 16:30

“ ‘What if they’re not listening?’ the rich man added. ‘If someone from the dead were to go and warn them, they would surely repent.’

Luke 21:31

In the same way, when you see these prophetic signs occurring, you realize the earth is yielding to the fullness of God’s kingdom.

Luke 24:47

Now you must go into all the nations and preach repentance and forgiveness of sins so that they will turn to me. Start right here in Jerusalem,

Luke 6:20

Looking intently at his followers, Jesus began his sermon. “How enriched you become when you are a beggar, for you will experience the reality of God’s kingdom.

Luke 9:2

Then he commissioned them to proclaim God’s kingdom and to heal the sick to demonstrate that the kingdom had arrived. As he sent them out, he gave them these instructions:

Acts 11:18

When they heard this, their objections were put to rest and they all glorified God, saying, “Look what God has done! He’s giving the gift of repentance that leads to life to people who aren’t even Jews.”

Acts 17:30

“In the past God tolerated our ignorance of these things, but now the time of deception has passed away. He commands us all to repent and turn to God.

Acts 2:38

Peter replied, “Repent and return to God, and each one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One, to have your sins removed. Then you may take hold of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 20:21

I urged both Jews and non-Jews to turn from sin to God and to have faith in our Lord Jesus.

Acts 26:20

For it was in Damascus that I first declared the truth. And then I went to Jerusalem and throughout our nation, and even to other nations, telling people everywhere that they must repent and turn to God and demonstrate it with a changed life.

Acts 3:19

And now you must repent and turn back to God so that your sins will be removed, and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence.

2 Corinthians 7:10

God designed us to feel remorse over sin in order to produce repentance that leads to victory. This leaves us with no regrets. But the sorrow of the world works death.

Colossians 1:13

He has rescued us completely from the tyrannical rule of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom realm of his beloved Son.

2 Timothy 2:25

Then with meekness you’ll be able to carefully enlighten those who argue with you so they can see God’s gracious gift of repentance and be brought to the truth.

Hebrews 6:1

Now is the time for us to progress beyond the basic message of Christ and advance into perfection. The foundation has already been laid for us to build upon: turning away from our dead works to embrace faith in God,

2 Peter 3:9

This means that, contrary to man’s perspective, the Lord is not late with his promise to return, as some measure lateness. But rather, his “delay” simply reveals his loving patience toward you, because he does not want any to perish but all to come to repentance.

Revelation 2:21

I have waited for her to repent from her vile immorality, but she willingly refuses to do so.

Revelation 2:5

Think about how far you have fallen! Repent and do the works of love you did at first. I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place of influence if you do not repent.