Contrary to the prevailing view that βασιλεία is a verbal noun signifying God’s rule, this study demonstrates how the term’s pragmatic range in Matthew’s Gospel covers both five distinct types of use and their integration into a coherent concept. The study, which is the first to examine all occurrences of βασιλεία in the First Gospel from the perspective of semantic monosemy, extends and enhances our appreciation of the Matthean Zentralbegriff, and engenders a more accurate apprehension of the nature and aims of the Matthean narrative and the theological views it conveys.

Matthew describes the beginning of Jesus's ministry with the summary words, "μετανοεῖτε (repent/turn), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (3:2; 4:17). Why does Matthew use this command, μετανοεῖτε, at the beginning of his ministry, and how does it relate to the rest of the Gospel? What do μετανοέω and μετάνοια mean? Scholars have stated that μετανοέω in 4:17 has critical value for understanding Matthew because the verse functions as a summary statement (or key phrase) of Jesus's public ministry and teaching. This book argues the thematic significance of μετάνοια (turning/repentance) in the Gospel of Matthew. The lexical idea of μετανοέω and μετάνοια involves a turning of mind (or heart, will, thinking) and behavior, and so in turn of one's whole being and life. This opening commandment of turning (μετανοέω), especially the concept, the essence, and the contents is fully revealed throughout the body of Matthew in various ways. Discipleship, the language of righteousness, doing the will of God, changing one's heart and mind, the Great Commission, and Matthean soteriological theme convey the essence of μετάνοια and the contents of the fruit worthy of μετάνοια(3:2, 8; 4:17). The five major teaching blocks (5-7; 10; 13; 18; 23-25) teach the theme and the content of μετάνοια.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.

"It is a special pleasure to introduce R T (Dick) France's commentary to the pastoral and scholarly community, who should find it a truly exceptional - and helpful - volume." So says Gordon Fee in his preface to this work. France's masterful commentary on Matthew focuses on exegesis of Matthew's text as it stands rather than on the prehistory of the material or details of Synoptic comparison. It is concerned throughout with what Matthew himself meant to convey about Jesus and how he set about doing so within the cultural and historical context of first-century Palestine. Amid the wide array of Matthew commentaries available today, France's world-class stature, his clear focus on Matthew and Jesus, his careful methodology, and his user-friendly style promise to make this volume an enduring standard for years to come.

This commentary was researched and written using Semitic Bible Study Methods, Aramaic (the language Yeshua spoke), and the culture of Yeshua’s day. These methods were initially developed by the Sage Hillel over 2000 years ago augmented and the author. Semitic Bible study methods are based on asking questions about the Scripture, examining the language and culture of that day. This is a strange idea for church people because the Church teaches that only the Church can interpret Scripture. This is not true. God wants us to ask questions because Scripture’s meaning is as deep as God, and God is infinite.

A Mingo adaptation of the Asher Wright Seneca Gospels of Matthew and Mark with the Authorized Version, glosses, and hymns on each verse.

John was born in Haarlem, The Netherlands in 1930. He suffered starvation during Nazi occupation of Holland during World War II. His father was imprisoned by the Nazi's for six weeks for supplying the ten Boom family with ration cards, though they never found this out. John felt the call to ministry, went to Bible School in Brussels, Belgium, and met and married his wife there. They both felt a strong call to the mission field then Dutch New Guinea (later Irian Jaya - Indonesia) and left for the mission field (with The Christian & Missionary Alliance) (we went out under the US mission) shortly after their marriage. They would spend the next thirty-eight years on the mission field there before retiring to Toccoa, GA in 1995. The Lord blessed them with four children and 17 grandchildren! During his time on the mission field, John started, taught, and ran a Bible School in Irian Jaya.