3:2a

Repent: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Repent refers in a general way to changing one’s mind. In this context, it refers to changing one’s mind about sin and God. It means to stop sinning and begin to obey God.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Turn from your sins and turn to God (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
Turn back to God! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Change your hearts and lives (New Century Version)
-or-
Leave/Abandon the ways of sin and follow the ways of God

3:2b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason why people should repent. They should repent because the kingdom of heaven is near.

In some languages, it will be more natural to change the order of 3:2a and 3:2b. For example:

2bThe kingdom of heaven is near, 2a⌊so⌋ repent!

the kingdom of heaven: When you translate the phrase the kingdom of heaven, there are two issues to consider:

Issue 1: The meaning of heaven

In the phrase the kingdom of heaven, the word heaven is a figure of speech called metonymy. In this figure of speech, heaven refers to God, but it refers to him indirectly by naming the place where he lives and rules. The Jews considered God’s name to be so holy that they hesitated to say it. So instead of pronouncing God’s name directly, they often used the name of the place where he lives and rules. Because Matthew was writing primarily to Jews, he often used the word heaven to refer to God.

Therefore, the kingdom of heaven means the same thing as “the kingdom of God.” The phrase the kingdom of heaven only occurs in the book of Matthew. The expression “the kingdom of God” is found in all other books, and it even occurs five times in Matthew.

Some ways to translate heaven in this context are:

• Make some information explicit. For example:

⌊the one/Lord who lives in⌋ heaven

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

God

Issue 2: The meaning of the kingdom of heaven

Both the kingdom of heaven and “the kingdom of God” refer to God’s activity of ruling over his people. God’s rule is not simply giving orders or commands to people. It also includes his protection, care, and blessing for them. God leads, protects, and cares for his people. They obey, trust, and submit to him as their king. The phrase the kingdom of heaven does not refer to a land or country that God rules over.

Here are some other ways to translate the kingdom of heaven:

• As a noun. For example:

the kingdom/rule of ⌊the one who lives in⌋ heaven
-or-
the kingdom of God
-or-
God’s kingship
-or-
God’s rule over people

• As a verbal expression. For example:

God rules his people
-or-
God cares for his people as king

See kingdom of heaven in the Glossary for more information.

is near: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as is near is more literally “has approached.” This clause probably means that God’s kingdom had already started. God was ready to rule and save his people through Jesus’ teaching and miracles. It was time to repent.

John was preaching that the kingdom of heaven is near in a time sense, not in a physical sense.

So the entire clause “the kingdom of heaven is near” means:

the kingdom of heaven is being established
-or-
now is the time for ⌊the one who lives in⌋ heaven to rule over you (plur.)
-or-
the time for God to rule over people has come

-or-

God’s kingship/chieftaincy has begun

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