Matthew 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Note: Definition of “repent

Similar Old Testament Verses

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:6-7

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.”

Ezekiel 18: 30-32

You have neither listened nor inclined your ears to hear, although the LORD persistently sent to you all his servants the prophets, saying, ‘Turn now, every one of you, from his evil way and evil deeds, and dwell upon the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers from of old and forever.

Jeremiah 25:4-5

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

Joel 2:12-13

Therefore say to them, Thus declares the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD.

Zechariah 1:3-4

From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’

Malachi 3:7

Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, “‘Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 3:12-13

The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145:18

The LORD will reign forever and ever.

Exodus 15:18

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”

1 Chronicles 16:31

The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 103:19

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

Daniel 4:34

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Comments

3 responses to “Matthew 4:17”

  1. Skip Avatar
    Skip

    Jesus is often defined in the secular world as exhibiting love that has tolerance for anything. He defines himself well in his first public appearance as a rabbi declaring all to repent. This is very different than what most people realize. We are called to repent.

  2. Philip Gibson Avatar
    Philip Gibson

    One wonders if the scriptures are as much a description of human nature as they are about God. These common threads suggest neither changes throughout time.

  3. Bruce Powers Avatar
    Bruce Powers

    I believe repentance is more than just asking for forgiveness. You have to really mean it, and it has to come from the heart. And there has to be an effort to try and not repeat the sin you are asking for forgiveness on.

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