What Does Matthew 10:7 Mean in the King James?
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
As you go, heaven’s governance is already drawing near, and announcing that nearness is itself the message.
THE MEANING
This speaks into your movement now: heaven’s governance has drawn near and remains within reach. Its nearness goes with you into the places you enter.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It dissolves the belief that God’s reign can only be near in a distant spiritual place or future moment.
THE ROOT
βασιλεία
basileia
GROWS FROM
βασιλευ-
basileu-
to reign; kingly rule
“kingdom” in this verse is basileia. This word names kingly rule, so the phrase opens as heaven’s governance drawing near. Its sense includes the reign itself and the realm shaped by that reign.
ALSO GROWS
basileus: king
βασιλεύς
The king is the one who exercises the rule named by βασιλεία.
basileuō: to reign
βασιλεύω
This verb makes the active ruling within “kingdom” visible.
basilikos: royal; kingly
βασιλικός
It describes what belongs to the king’s rule and clarifies the character of heaven’s governance.
ἤγγικεν
ēngiken
GROWS FROM
ἐγγίζω
engizō
to draw near; approach
The verb is in the perfect tense: the approach has happened, and its result continues. “At hand” holds arrival and present nearness together, heaven’s governance is already within reach.
ALSO GROWS
engys: near
ἐγγύς
This adjective carries the closeness already present in the announcement.
engizei: draws near
ἐγγίζει
This present form shows the movement toward nearness that the verse presents as having taken place.
κηρύσσετε
kēryssete
GROWS FROM
κηρύσσω
kēryssō
to proclaim as a herald
“preach” in this verse is kēryssete. The verb belongs to the language of heralding: the message is publicly declared. The announcement gives voice to the reign’s nearness as you go.
ALSO GROWS
kēryx: herald
κῆρυξ
The herald is the public messenger at the heart of the verb’s image.
kērygma: proclamation
κήρυγμα
This noun names the announced message, here the nearness of heaven’s governance.
THE PATTERN
God’s active governance reaches people through a message that names its rule as present and near.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.THE THREAD
And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.Luke uses the same Greek verb for “is come nigh” as Matthew uses for “is at hand”: ἤγγικεν, “has drawn near.” Here that nearness is spoken to people where they are, alongside healing.
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