He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”

Then the devil led him up to a high place and showed him in a flash all the kingdoms of the world.

But Jesus said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, for that is what I was sent to do.”

Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God belongs to you.

I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is.”

Jesus’ Ministry and the Help of Women

Some time afterward he went on through towns and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him,

He said, “You have been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that although they see they may not see, and although they hear they may not understand.

and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

But when the crowds found out, they followed him. He welcomed them, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and cured those who needed healing.

But I tell you most certainly, there are some standing here who will not experience death before they see the kingdom of God.”

But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Heal the sick in that town and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come upon you!’

‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this: The kingdom of God has come.’

So he said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, may your name be honored; may your kingdom come.

But Jesus, realizing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed, and a divided household falls.

So if Satan too is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? I ask you this because you claim that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.

But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already overtaken you.

Instead, pursue his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.

On the Kingdom of God

Thus Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what should I compare it?

Again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God?

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves thrown out.

Then people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and take their places at the banquet table in the kingdom of God.

The Parable of the Great Banquet

When one of those at the meal with Jesus heard this, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will feast in the kingdom of God!”

“The law and the prophets were in force until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is urged to enter it.

The Coming of the Kingdom

Now at one point the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was coming, so he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed,

nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

But Jesus called for the children, saying, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

When Jesus noticed this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!

In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Then Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, there is no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of God’s kingdom

The Parable of the Ten Minas

While the people were listening to these things, Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.

Therefore he said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.

When he returned after receiving the kingdom, he summoned these slaves to whom he had given the money. He wanted to know how much they had earned by trading.

Persecution of Disciples

Then he said to them, “Nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

So also you, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.

For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

Thus I grant to you a kingdom, just as my Father granted to me,

that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.”

(He had not consented to their plan and action.) He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God.