Jesus Christ, preaching and teaching of

A vital feature of Jesus Christ's ministry, focusing on his authoritative proclamation of the kingdom of God.

Jesus Christ's mission as preaching and teaching

Luke 4:43 parallel Mark 1:38 See also Matthew 11:5 parallel Luke 7:22; Mark 6:6; John 7:16; Acts 1:1

But Jesus told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well, because that is why I was sent.”

Jesus Christ was regarded as a teacher and prophet

John 1:38 “Rabbi” was an honorific title given to Jesus Christ unofficially by the people. See also Matthew 16:14 parallels Mark 8:28, Luke 9:19; Matthew 23:10, Matthew 26:25; Mark 9:5, Mark 10:51; John 13:13

Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?”

The sources of Jesus Christ's preaching and teaching

Jesus Christ's words were grounded in Scripture

Luke 24:27 See also Matthew 4:4 parallel Luke 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 21:16; Psalm 8:2; Matthew 22:29–32 parallels Mark 12:24–27, Luke 20:35–38

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.

Jesus Christ's words came from God

John 7:16 See also John 3:2, John 8:28, John 12:49–50

“My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me.

Jesus Christ spoke in the power of the Spirit

Acts 1:2 See also Luke 4:14–15; John 3:34, John 6:63

until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.

The content of Jesus Christ's preaching and teaching

The kingdom of God

Luke 9:11 See also Matthew 4:17, Matthew 4:23, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 13:24; Mark 1:15; John 3:3

But the crowds found out and followed Him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and He healed those who needed healing.

God as Father

John 14:8–14 See also Matthew 6:31–32 parallel Luke 12:30–31; Matthew 10:32–33, Matthew 18:10; Mark 11:25; John 5:17–23, John 8:18–19

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me — or at least believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.

Jesus Christ's own identity

John 4:25–26 See also Matthew 16:13–17 parallels Mark 8:27–30, Luke 9:18–21; Luke 4:20–21, Luke 24:44; John 10:11, John 14:6–7

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.” Jesus answered, “I who speak to you am He.”

Jesus Christ's mission

Mark 9:31 parallels Matthew 17:22–23, Luke 9:44 See also Matthew 20:17–19 parallels Mark 10:32–34, Luke 18:31–34; Luke 19:9–10, Luke 24:46; John 6:51, John 10:14–15

because He was teaching His disciples. He told them, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise.”

How people should live

Matthew 5:48 See also Matthew 5:20–22, Matthew 5:43–44, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 19:21–24 parallels Mark 10:21–25, Luke 18:22–25; Matthew 22:35–40 parallel Mark 12:28–31; Luke 6:35; John 13:34–35, John 15:12–13

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.[’’]

The future

Mark 14:62 parallel Luke 22:69 See also Matthew 10:15 parallel Luke 10:12; Matthew 12:36–37, Matthew 24:1–2 parallels Mark 13:1–2, Luke 21:5–6; Matthew 24:36–44, Matthew 25:31–33; Luke 17:26–35

“I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus Christ criticised false teachings

Matthew 15:6–9 parallel Mark 7:6–7 See also Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 7:15–16, Matthew 16:12, Matthew 23:2–4; Mark 12:38–39 parallel Luke 20:45–46

he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

The results of Jesus Christ's preaching and teaching

Jesus Christ invited a response

Matthew 11:28–30 See also Matthew 13:23 parallels Mark 4:20, Luke 8:15; Matthew 22:8–10; Luke 14:21–24; John 5:24

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Jesus Christ looked for an obedient response

Luke 11:28 See also Matthew 7:24–27, Matthew 11:15, Matthew 13:23 parallels Mark 4:20, Luke 8:15; Matthew 28:20; Mark 4:9; John 14:23–24

But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

People responded to Jesus Christ's preaching and teaching

John 12:42 See also Matthew 8:19–22 parallel Luke 9:57–60; Matthew 13:10–15 parallel Mark 4:10–12; John 4:39, John 6:68–69

Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue.

Characteristics of Jesus Christ's preaching and teaching

It had authority

Matthew 7:28–29 See also Matthew 21:23 parallels Mark 11:28, Luke 20:2; Matthew 22:22 parallels Mark 12:17, Luke 20:26; Mark 1:22 parallel Luke 4:32; Mark 1:27; John 7:15

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Jesus Christ lived out what he preached and taught

John 10:38 The “miracles” (literally “works”) conveyed the same message as Jesus Christ's words. See also Matthew 11:29, Matthew 16:24 parallels Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23; John 13:15, John 13:34

But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.”

Jesus Christ's preaching and teaching methods

His use of lessons drawn from people's experience

Matthew 9:16–17 parallels Mark 2:21–22, Luke 5:36–37; Matthew 12:11–12, Matthew 18:12 parallel Luke 15:4; Luke 9:62, Luke 13:15–16

His use of parables

Matthew 13:34 See also Matthew 13:3 parallels Mark 4:2, Luke 8:4

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable.

His use of everyday objects

Matthew 6:26–29 parallel Luke 12:23–27; Matthew 22:19–21 parallels Mark 12:15–17, Luke 20:24–25

His use of questions

Matthew 6:25–28, Matthew 21:24–25 parallels Mark 11:29, Luke 20:3–4; Luke 10:36–37