1. Matthew 4:17 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

How did Jesus start his public ministry?

Matthew 4:17 (ESV)

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

In short

Jesus started his public ministry with preaching. The Greek word kérussein literally refers to the proclamation of a herald—in this case, a public call to repentance.

He preached. The Greek word translated preachkérussein—literally means the proclamation of a herald.1 The preaching here is public in nature, and the content of the message centers around the call to repentance.2