In Matthew 11:11-12 a reference to the kingdom of heaven is made. Several other NT passages refer to the kingdom of God. Is there a distinction between the two? -- Joshua Christensen (Las Cruces New Mexico)

Since Matthew is writing for the most Jewish background audience of the four gospel writers, he prefers to use the phrase Kingdom of Heaven--unlike Mark and Luke. Jews often avoided saying the actual word God, out of reverence. So there is really no difference at all between the two phrases. In either case, the king who rules the kingdom is Lord.

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