The kingdom has come near to you

Bekken has shown that Paul has used Deuteronomy 30:14 in Romans 10:8. Compare Deu 30:14 and Rom 10:8: “But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it” with “But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach);”

But I have wondered if Luke also utilized this verse from Deuteronomy in presenting his concept of the kingdom of God is near.

The key Greek word is ἐγγὺς which appears in Deuteronomy 30:14 LXX and Luke translated as “near.” Normally one word would not an allusion make but this Greek word includes as one of its definitions “those who are near access to God.” This Greek word is used three times in two pericopes during the Lucan ministry in Jerusalem where the people accompanying Jesus believed the kingdom of God was close at hand.

I plan to discuss the occurrence of this Greek word in the parable of the pounds and the lesson of the fig tree.

Copyrighted 2007

Religion

Christianity

Gospel of Luke