…Matthew 4:23 Include Christ’s Death, Burial, and Resurrection?
This question exposes one of the biggest assumptions in modern Christianity.
Many believers automatically assume that every time the word “gospel” appears in the Bible, it must refer to the same message:
“Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again.”
But when we slow down and let Scripture speak for itself…
that assumption falls apart.
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom…” — Matthew 4:23 KJV
Notice carefully:
This was early in Christ’s earthly ministry.
The cross had not happened yet.
The resurrection had not happened yet.
And most importantly—
the disciples did not understand Christ’s coming death.
▪️The Twelve Did NOT Understand the Cross Yet
Jesus plainly told His disciples what was coming:
“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem… and the third day he shall rise again.” — Luke 18:31-33 KJV
That sounds clear to us.
But notice the next verse:
“And they understood none of these things…” — Luke 18:34 KJV
Read that again.
They understood none of these things.
If the gospel of the kingdom already included the death, burial, and resurrection—
why did they not understand it?
Because that was not the message they were preaching.
They were proclaiming that Israel’s promised kingdom was near.
“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” — Matthew 4:17 KJV
That was good news to Israel because prophecy was being fulfilled.
Their Messiah had arrived.
Their kingdom was being offered.
▪️Peter Rejected the Idea of Christ’s Death
When Jesus spoke about His death in Matthew 16:
“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples… that he must… be killed…” — Matthew 16:21 KJV
Peter responded:
“Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” — Matthew 16:22 KJV
Think about that.
Peter rebuked the very thing people claim he was already preaching.
That alone should make us reconsider traditional assumptions.
▪️Paul Revealed the Gospel That Saves Today
Later, the risen Christ revealed new information to Paul.
Not prophecy.
Mystery.
“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery…” — Ephesians 3:3 KJV
Paul clearly defines the gospel that saves today:
“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day…” — 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV
This is the gospel of the grace of God.
“to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” — Acts 20:24 KJV
This is our message today.
Not “the kingdom is at hand.”
Not preparing Israel for an earthly throne.
But proclaiming reconciliation through the finished work of Christ.
▪️Why This Matters
When believers fail to rightly divide—
they blend everything together.
• Kingdom gospel with grace gospel
• Israel with the Body of Christ
• Prophecy with mystery
• Earthly hope with heavenly hope
And confusion follows.
But the Bible becomes clear when you recognize progressive revelation.
Peter preached what was:
“spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” — Acts 3:21 KJV
Paul preached what was:
“kept secret since the world began” — Romans 16:25 KJV
That distinction matters.
▪️What Must You Believe Today?
Today, salvation is found in Christ’s finished work.
Trust that:
• Christ died for your sins
• He was buried
• He rose again the third day
Nothing added.
No rituals.
No religious performance.
No law-keeping.
Just faith in Christ alone.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith…” — Ephesians 2:8 KJV
▪️Final Thought
The gospel of the kingdom in Matthew 4:23 was real good news—
but it was not identical in content to Paul’s gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1–4.
One announced Israel’s kingdom.
The other reveals Christ’s finished work as the basis of salvation today.
Right division doesn’t diminish Scripture.
It allows every passage to mean exactly what God intended.
And when you see that…
the Bible begins to fit together beautifully.
