Luke 9:2
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπέστειλεν
he sent
G649
ἀπέστειλεν
he sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
2 of 12
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
κηρύσσειν
to preach
G2784
κηρύσσειν
to preach
Strong's:
G2784
Word #:
4 of 12
to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
G932
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
8 of 12
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Luke 10:9And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.Matthew 3:2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.Mark 6:12And they went out, and preached that men should repent.Matthew 13:19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.Matthew 24:14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.Luke 9:11And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.Mark 16:15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.Luke 10:11Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.Luke 16:16The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.Luke 10:1After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Historical Context
Luke 9:1-6 records Jesus sending out the Twelve on a limited mission during his Galilean ministry (AD 28-29). This training mission prepared the apostles for their post-resurrection role. Unlike the later sending of the seventy-two (Luke 10), this was restricted to Israel ('Go not into the way of the Gentiles,' Matthew 10:5), fulfilling prophecy that Messiah would come 'to the lost sheep of the house of Israel' first (Matthew 15:24).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the pairing of preaching and healing challenge a purely 'spiritual' gospel that ignores physical suffering?
- What does it mean to herald the Kingdom (not just invite people to church) in your cultural context?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God (κηρύσσειν τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ)—The verb kēryssō means to herald as a royal messenger, not merely to teach. The apostles were commissioned as ambassadors of the coming Kingdom, announcing God's sovereign rule breaking into history through Christ. This was the same message John the Baptist proclaimed (Luke 3:3) and Jesus himself preached (Luke 4:43).
And to heal the sick (ἰᾶσθαι)—The pairing of proclamation and healing demonstrates the Kingdom's comprehensive nature: salvation addresses both spiritual and physical dimensions. The miracles authenticated the message and provided tangible evidence that God's rule brings restoration to fallen creation. This dual commission anticipates the Great Commission's authority 'in heaven and on earth' (Matthew 28:18).