The gospel
of the kingdom literally means the good news
of the kingdom: the proclamation of the coming of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 4:17). It is good news because, while it does charge its hearers with their sin, it also gives the way out of judgement with the news of salvation, and proclaims the benefits of salvation for the citizens of the kingdom (see the Beatitudes).
The word gospel
which the evangelist uses for the first time in Matthew 4:23, literally means good news
or good tiding.
It is referred to as the gospel of the kingdom
because the contents of the message itself is the proclamation of the coming of the kingdom of heaven (see Matthew 4:17).1
Jesus proclaims that the kingdom of God has come, and that it has arrived with the commencement of his public ministry. Yet he does not preach in such a way that sinners are completely shattered by judgment after they have been forced to accept God’s royal authority. Rather, this kingdom brings with it the comforting message of the gospel, which is one of salvation. Jesus preaches that God is glorified when sinners, who joyfully acknowledge him as king, are saved by the work of Christ. The gospel is integral to the kingdom, its contents is the kingdom, for the citizenship of this kingdom, as will become evident with the Beatitudes, also entails enjoying all the benefits of salvation.2
23 Jésus parcourait toute la Galilée, enseignant dans les synagogues, prêchant la bonne nouvelle du royaume, et guérissant toute maladie et toute infirmité parmi le peuple.