What does "Spoke to them about things pertaining to the Kingdom of God" refer to?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

The phrase "speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God" refers to the period of forty days between the Resurrection of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ and His glorious Ascension into heaven. As recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, Christ appeared to His disciples during this time, confirming the reality of His victory over death and preparing them for the birth of the Church.

From the Coptic Orthodox perspective, this period is central to our understanding of Church Tradition and the Holy Mysteries (Sacraments).

The Foundation of Holy Tradition

The Coptic Church teaches that during these forty days, our Lord did not merely give general ethical advice; rather, He instructed the Apostles on the specific "construction" of the Church. This includes:

1. The Liturgical Order: The Apostles received the essence of how to celebrate the Eucharist (the Liturgy). This is why, despite geographical distances, the early Church maintained a consistent understanding of the Real Presence of Christ in the Oblation.
2. The Mysteries (Sacraments): He spoke to them about the authority to bind and loose sins (Repentance and Confession), the necessity of Baptism for entry into the Kingdom, and the laying on of hands (Holy Orders).
3. The Interpretation of Scripture: As He did on the road to Emmaus, He "opened their understanding" to see how the entire Old Testament—the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms—pointed to Him.

The Theological Significance

In our theology, the Kingdom of God is not merely a future promise but a present reality experienced within the life of the Church. St. Cyril of Alexandria emphasizes that the Word of God, the Only-Begotten, became man to restore us to this Kingdom. By speaking of these things after His Resurrection, Christ was showing the Apostles that the Kingdom is synonymous with life in Him.

As noted in the writings of Philoxenus, the faithful are called not to "search out" the construction of the Kingdom through worldly curiosity or intellectual pride (as heretics often do), but to be "heirs and guests" who enjoy its spiritual delights through faith.

Liturgical Connection

This forty-day period is commemorated in the Coptic Church during the Holy Fifty Days (Pentecost). During this time:

• We do not prostrate (metania) or fast, because we are living in the joy of the Kingdom.
• The "Hymn of the Resurrection" is chanted, and the doors of the sanctuary remain open to signify that Christ has opened the gates of Paradise and the Kingdom to all believers.
• We recognize that the "laws of the Kingdom" mentioned by the Fathers are the commandments of Christ, which we are called to perform under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In summary, when Christ spoke of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, He was establishing the Church as the visible icon of that Kingdom on earth, governed by the Holy Tradition passed down through the Apostles to their successors, the bishops and priests of the Orthodox faith.