What Is the Kingdom of God in Matthew 6:33? Understanding Jesus’ Command to Seek First His Kingdom

When the Lord Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

He was not speaking about a geographical territory, a political state, or an earthly empire. He was speaking about the reign of God—His sovereign rule, authority, and rightful kingship over all things, and especially over the human heart.

To understand what the “kingdom of God” means in this verse, we must look at the context. In Matthew 6, the Lord Jesus was addressing human anxieties—what we will eat, what we will drink, what we will wear. He pointed to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, showing that the Father provides for His creation. Then He gave a command: instead of being consumed by earthly concerns, seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness.

The word “kingdom” in the New Testament refers primarily to rule or dominion rather than territory. It speaks of the active reign of God. Thus, the kingdom of God is the rule of God wherever His authority is acknowledged and obeyed.

This kingdom is both present and future.

It is present in the sense that God already reigns. When a person returns to God, submits to His authority, and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as Messiah and Savior, he enters into the sphere of God’s rule. The kingdom begins in the heart that bows before the King.

The Lord Jesus declared at the beginning of His ministry:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)

The phrase “at hand” means it has drawn near. Why? Because the King Himself had come. In Christ, the authority and saving power of God broke into human history.

Yet the kingdom is also future. There will come a day when the reign of God will be visibly established in fullness. The Lord Jesus will return, judgment will take place, and God’s righteous rule will be manifested over all creation.

So what does it mean to “seek first” the kingdom of God?

It means to prioritize God’s rule above everything else. It means that before pursuing wealth, security, reputation, or personal ambitions, we must pursue submission to God, obedience to His will, and alignment with His righteousness. It means that our greatest concern should not be earthly survival but spiritual standing before the King.

Notice that Jesus did not say seek first blessings, prosperity, or comfort. He said seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The kingdom cannot be separated from righteousness because God’s reign is holy and just. To seek His kingdom is to desire that His will be done in our lives, in our homes, in our work, and in our decisions.

This command also carries a promise:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

The “things” refer to basic necessities. The Lord assures us that when God’s reign becomes our priority, He takes responsibility for our needs. This is not a promise of luxury, but of faithful provision.

Ultimately, seeking the kingdom begins with a decision. It begins when a person recognizes that he has lived independently from God—exercising his free will in rejection of Him—and chooses instead to return to God, surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to His authority. The kingdom of God is not inherited by nationality or tradition; it is entered by a changed heart that bows before the King.

In summary, the kingdom mentioned in Matthew 6:33 is the sovereign reign of God—present now in the hearts of those who submit to Him, and future in its full and visible manifestation when Christ reigns openly. To seek it first is to make God’s rule, God’s will, and God’s righteousness the highest priority of life.

And the question for every reader is this: Who truly reigns in your life?