Matthew 10:7

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 10:7 (KJV)

Context

Jesus speaks these words as He sends out His twelve disciples on their first mission. He has already called them, given them authority over unclean spirits and every disease, and now He instructs them to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The message they are to carry is not a new invention; it is the same proclamation Jesus Himself made at the beginning of His ministry, as Matthew 4:17 records. The disciples are to continue what their Master began.

Meaning

The phrase “as ye go” indicates that the proclamation was to be woven into the disciples’ journey. They were not to wait for people to come to them, nor were they to settle in one place. Their movement from town to town was itself part of the mission, and the message was to be delivered verbally, as the word “saying” makes clear.

The command “preach” means to publicly proclaim or announce a message. The disciples were not merely to live exemplary lives; they were to speak. Their task was to declare the good news of the kingdom, and this required words.

The heart of their message was “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The Greek verb translated “is at hand” (ēngiken) carries the sense of “has come near” or “has arrived.” This was not a distant hope but a present reality breaking into the world through Jesus’ ministry. The kingdom of heaven refers to the rule and reign of God, and because the King Himself had come, that reign was now within reach. The message was a call to repentance and faith.

Biblical connections

This verse echoes the message of John the Baptist and of Jesus Himself. Matthew 4:17 and Mark 1:15 record the same proclamation, and Luke 10:9 shows Jesus later giving similar instructions to the seventy. The disciples were not preaching a different gospel; they were carrying forward the very message that had already been announced.

Application

This verse still speaks to believers today. Like the disciples, we are called to share the message of the kingdom of heaven. Evangelism is not an optional activity for a few gifted individuals; it is the task of every follower of Christ. We are to go, not merely to wait for others to come to us.

The phrase “at hand” also carries urgency. The kingdom is near, and the time to respond is now. This should make us diligent and zealous in sharing the Gospel, because we do not know how much time remains.

The message of the kingdom calls for a response. Just as the disciples called people to repentance and faith in Jesus, we too should urge others to turn from their sins and place their trust in Christ for salvation. This is not a message to be softened or delayed.

Finally, we are to have a kingdom mindset in all aspects of life. As citizens of the kingdom of heaven, our actions, words, and attitudes should reflect the values and principles of that kingdom. The proclamation of the kingdom is not only a message we speak but also a life we live, as we go about our daily journeys.

Reflection

Consider how the disciples’ mission shapes your own calling. You do not need a pulpit to preach the kingdom; you need only to go, to speak, and to live in the light of the King who has come near.