basileia

What it means

Kingship or reign: God's rule, not mainly a territory. Matthew usually says "kingdom of heaven" where Mark and Luke say "kingdom of God," likely a reverent Jewish way of referring to God without naming him. It's the theme of Jesus' preaching from his first words (4:17).

Range of meaning

• Royal powerThe right and power to rule.
• A realmThe people or territory a king rules.
• God's coming ruleThe age when God's will is done on earth as in heaven.

In Matthew

• Chapter 3

  "The kingdom of heaven is near" (3:2).

• Chapter 4

  "The kingdom of heaven is near" (4:17), and all the kingdoms of the world on offer (4:8).

• Chapter 5

  The kingdom belongs to the poor in spirit and the persecuted (5:3, 5:10).

• Chapter 6

  "Your kingdom come" and "seek first his kingdom" (6:10, 6:33).

• Chapter 7

  Not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom (7:21).

• Chapter 10

  Their message: "The kingdom of heaven is near" (10:7).

• Chapter 11

  The least in the kingdom is greater than John (11:11-12).

• Chapter 13

  Seven comparisons begin "The kingdom of heaven is like" (13:24-52).