Preaching and teaching of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ’s mission as preaching and teaching

Luke 4:43 ESV

but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

See also Mt 11:5; Mk 6:6; Jn 7:16; Ac 1:1

Jesus Christ was regarded as a teacher and prophet

Jn 1:38 “Rabbi” was an honorific title given to Jesus Christ unofficially by the people.

See also Mt 16:14; Mt 23:10; Mt 26:25; Mk 9:5; Mk 10:51; Jn 13:13

The sources of Jesus Christ’s preaching and teaching

Jesus Christ’s words were grounded in Scripture

Luke 24:27 ESV

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

See also Mt 4:4; Dt 8:3; Mt 21:16; Ps 8:2; Mt 22:29–32

Jesus Christ’s words came from God

John 7:16 ESV

So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.

See also Jn 3:2; Jn 8:28; Jn 12:49–50

Jesus Christ spoke in the power of the Spirit

Acts 1:2 ESV

until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

See also Lk 4:14–15; Jn 3:34; Jn 6:63

The content of Jesus Christ’s preaching and teaching

The kingdom of God

Luke 9:11 ESV

When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.

See also Mt 4:17; Mt 4:23; Mt 6:33; Mt 13:24; Mk 1:15; Jn 3:3

God as Father

John 14:8–14 ESV

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever 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 that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

See also Mt 6:31–32; Mt 10:32–33; Mt 18:10; Mk 11:25; Jn 5:17–23; Jn 8:18–19

Jesus Christ’s own identity

John 4:25–26 ESV

The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

See also Mt 16:13–17; Lk 4:20–21; Lk 24:44; Jn 10:11; Jn 14:6–7

Jesus Christ’s mission

Mark 9:31 ESV

for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”

See also Mt 20:17–19; Lk 19:9–10; Lk 24:46; Jn 6:51; Jn 10:14–15

How people should live

Matthew 5:48 ESV

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

See also Mt 5:20–22; Mt 5:43–44; Mt 7:12; Mt 19:21–24; Mt 22:35–40; Lk 6:35; Jn 13:34–35; Jn 15:12–13

The future

Mark 14:62 ESV

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

See also Mt 10:15; Mt 12:36–37; Mt 24:1–2; Mt 24:36–44; Mt 25:31–33; Lk 17:26–35

Jesus Christ criticised false teachings

Matthew 15:6–9 ESV

he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

See also Is 29:13; Mt 7:15–16; Mt 16:12; Mt 23:2–4; Mk 12:38–39

The results of Jesus Christ’s preaching and teaching

Jesus Christ invited a response

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

See also Mt 13:23; Mt 22:8–10; Lk 14:21–24; Jn 5:24

Jesus Christ looked for an obedient response

Luke 11:28 ESV

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

See also Mt 7:24–27; Mt 11:15; Mt 13:23; Mt 28:20; Mk 4:9; Jn 14:23–24

People responded to Jesus Christ’s preaching and teaching

John 12:42 ESV

Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;

See also Mt 8:19–22; Mt 13:10–15; Jn 4:39; Jn 6:68–69

Characteristics of Jesus Christ’s preaching and teaching

It had authority

Matthew 7:28–29 ESV

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

See also Mt 21:23; Mt 22:22; Mk 1:22; Mk 1:27; Jn 7:15

Jesus Christ lived out what he preached and taught

Jn 10:38 The “miracles” (literally “works”) conveyed the same message as Jesus Christ’s words.

See also Mt 11:29; Mt 16:24; Jn 13:15; Jn 13:34

Jesus Christ’s preaching and teaching methods

His use of lessons drawn from people’s experience

Mt 9:16–17; Mt 12:11–12; Mt 18:12; Lk 9:62; Lk 13:15–16

His use of parables

Matthew 13:34 ESV

All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.

See also Mt 13:3

His use of everyday objects

Mt 6:26–29; Mt 22:19–21

His use of questions

Mt 6:25–28; Mt 21:24–25; Lk 10:36–37