Biblical Worldview

128 NT Kingdom References

As I study the Gospels in the New Testament I notice that Jesus’ focus was on the Kingdom of God. I have not heard many teachings on the Kingdom, but plenty on salvation. Salvation (giving your allegiance to the Lordship of Jesus Christ) is how we gain access to the Kingdom. But what is this Kingdom like?

Jesus Speaks on How to Enter the Kingdom

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matt  4:17
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”Jn 3:3
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.Jn 3:5
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”Mk 1:15

Jesus Speaks of the Difficulty of Entering the Kingdom

For I tell you unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.Matt  5:20
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.Matt  21:43
And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”Mk  10:23
And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!Mk  10:24
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.”Mk  10:25
Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!Lk 18:24
For 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.”Lk 18:25

The Kingdom of God is Like:

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,Matt  13:24
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.Matt  13:31
He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”Matt  13:33
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.Matt  13:44
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,Matt  13:45
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.Matt  13:47
And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”Matt  13:52
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.Matt  18:23
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.Matt  20:1
“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son,Matt  22:2
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet Matt  25:1
 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.Mk  4:26
And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?Mk  4:30
He said, therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?Lk 13:18
And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?Lk 13:20
But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.Lk 18:16
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”Lk 18:17

Jesus Teaches on the Kingdom

And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom Matt  4:23
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom Matt  9:35
And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,Mk  9:47
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.Lk 6:20
Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. Lk 8:1
And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.Lk  11:2
Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.Lk  12:31

More Kingdom Statements of Jesus

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.Matt  6:33 
And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’Matt  10:7
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.Matt  11:11
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.Matt  11:12
But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.Matt  12:28
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, Matt  16:19
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.Matt  23:13
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.Mk  3:24
And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Mk  12:34
Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”Mk  14:25
“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”Lk 4:43
But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”Lk 9:27
And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”Lk 9:60
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”Lk 9:62
Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’Lk 10:11
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.Lk  12:32
And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.Lk 13:29
“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.Lk 16:16
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed,Lk 17:20
So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.Lk 21:31
For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”Lk 22:16
For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”Lk 22:18
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. Jn 18:36

128 New Testament Kingdom References from the ESV Bible

1 Cor 4:20For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
1 Cor 6:9Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1 Cor 6:10Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Cor 15:24Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
1 Cor 15:50I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
1 Thes 2:12We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
2 Pe 1:11For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Thes 1:5This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—
2 Tim 4:1I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
2 Tim 4:18The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Acts 1:3He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Acts 8:12But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,
Acts 14:22Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
Acts 19:8And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
Acts 20:25And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.
Acts 28:23When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
Acts 28:31Proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ
Col 1:13He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
Col 4:11These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
Eph 5:5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Gal 5:21I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Heb 1:8But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
Heb 11:33Who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 12:28Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
James 2:5Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
Jn 3:3Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Jn 3:5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Jn 18:36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
Lk 1:33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Lk 4:43“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”
Lk 6:20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Lk 7:28Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Lk 8:1Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,
Lk 8:10he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’
Lk 9:2and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
Lk 9:11and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.
Lk 9:27But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
Lk 9:60And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Lk 9:62Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Lk 11:18And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.
Lk 11:2And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.
Lk 12:31Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
Lk 12:32“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Lk 10:9Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
Lk 10:11Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’
Lk 13:18He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?
Lk 13:20And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?
Lk 13:28In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.
Lk 13:29And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.
Lk 14:15When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!”
Lk 16:16“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.
Lk 17:20Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed,
Lk 17:21nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
Lk 18:16But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
Lk 18:17Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Lk 18:24Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!
Lk 18:25For 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.”
Lk 18:29And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
Lk 19:11As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.
Lk 21:31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
Lk 22:16For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
Lk 22:18For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
Lk 23:51who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God.
Matt 3:2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matt 4:17From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matt 4:23And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Matt 5:3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:19Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 6:10Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Matt 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matt 7:21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matt 8:11I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,
Matt 8:12While the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matt 9:35And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
Matt 10:7And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Matt 11:11Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Matt 11:12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.
Matt 12:25Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
Matt 12:26And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
Matt 12:28But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Matt 13:11And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
Matt 13:19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
Matt 13:24He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,
Matt 13:31He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.
Matt 13:33He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”
Matt 13:44“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Matt 13:45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,
Matt 13:47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.
Matt 13:52And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
Matt 16:19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Matt 18:1At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Matt 18:3and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 18:23“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.
Matt 18:4Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of  heaven.
Matt 19:12And there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”
Matt 19:14But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Matt 19:23And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 19:24Again I tell you, 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.”
Matt 20:1“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
Matt 21:31Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.
Matt 21:43Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.
Matt 22:2“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son,
Matt 23:13“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.
Matt 25:1“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet
Mk 1:15And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Mk 3:24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Mk 4:11And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,
Mk 4:26And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.
Mk 4:30And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?
Mk 9:1And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
Mk 9:47And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,
Mk 10:14But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
Mk 10:15Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Mk 10:23And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
Mk 10:24And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!
Mk 10:25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
Mk 11:10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”
Mk 12:34And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
Mk 14:25Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Mk 15:43Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
Rev 1:6And made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Rev 1:9I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
Rev 5:10and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Rev 11:15Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
Rev 12:10And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
Rom 14:17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
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