Why did Jesus begin preaching "Repent" in Matthew 4:17?
Jesus began preaching "Repent" because the King was present and ready to set up His kingdom. The call to repentance was tied to the King’s presence. Israel was still under the Old Testament format, and the nation would continue rejecting the message, after which God would reveal the mysteries.
Les explains in the transcript that Matthew 4:17 follows the Old Testament format: from that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent." The reason given is that the King was there, ready to set up His kingdom. The surrounding context adds that Israel was going to continue rejecting this message, and then God reveals the mysteries.
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
More Questions
What message did Jesus preach at the beginning of His ministry?
Jesus started His ministry with the same message John the Baptist preached: 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'