9:2a
And He sent them out: In this context the word sent means “told to go.” The disciples did not actually leave until 9:6. Jesus told the twelve apostles to go to where the people were. He told them to help the people by preaching about the kingdom of God and healing the sick.
to proclaim the kingdom of God: The phrase to proclaim the kingdom of God means “to speak to the people about the kingdom of God.” The phrase the kingdom of God refers to God’s rule. It does not refer here to a land or country that he rules over. Instead, it refers to God ruling people through the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It refers to the relationship that he has with his people. He leads, protects, and cares for them. They trust and obey him as their king.
Some ways to translate the kingdom of God in this context are:
• As a noun. For example:
to preach about God’s rule/reign
-or-
to announce God’s kingship
-or-
to tell ⌊people⌋ about God’s chieftaincy
-or-
to proclaim God’s government
• As a verbal expression:
to preach about God ruling ⌊people⌋
-or-
to proclaim that God ⌊cares for his people as their⌋ king
-or-
to tell ⌊people⌋ about the way God rules
This phrase first occurred in Luke in 4:43a. See kingdom of God in the Glossary.
to proclaim: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as proclaim means to tell people publicly something important. Some other ways to translate proclaim in this context are:
announce
-or-
proclaim
-or-
tell ⌊people⌋
9:2b
heal the sick: There is a textual issue here:
(1) Most Greek manuscripts have “heal the sick.” For example:
heal the sick (New Century Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, King James Version, Revised English Bible, NET Bible, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Century Version)
(2) One important Greek manuscript only has “heal.” For example:
heal (Revised Standard Version)
(New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible)
It is recommended that you follow option (1).
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