The authority to heal was first granted (verse 1), which was followed by the command to go (verse 6); now the disciples are informed that their mission is to preach. For comments on preach, see 3.1. Note how Good News Translation has reordered the two commands preach and go.

The kingdom of heaven is at hand is exactly the same as the message of John the Baptist (3.2) and Jesus (4.17). Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, 1st edition translates “God is now accomplishing his work and establishing his rule,” and INCL has “God has already begun to reign as King.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .