The Kingdom of God and Healing-Exorcism (Mt 4:17–5:12)

This work is an exegetical demonstration of the Kingdom of God in the Miracles of Jesus in Matthew’s gospel, with Mt 4:17-5:12 as entry point. This Topic is often neglected by Matthean scholars in the studies of Jesus’ understanding of the Kingdom. The Synchronic and Diachronic analysis of the work reveals that Miracles must be understood within the context of the Kingdom and not the other way round. Matthew’s Jesus abhors the use of Miracles as signs and manifestation of the Kingdom. Attention is drawn to the hermeneutical danger of Miracles being signs and proofs of the Kingdom as evidenced in the faith-reading-location of the work (Nigeria) where Miracles have become Ends in themselves.