The word “kerygma” is a transliteration of a Greek noun used in the Bible. It occurs eight times in the New Testament and means “proclamation, what is heralded aloud” (Harnisch & Reumann, 2003, p. 113). In the Bible, it is translated as “preaching” and refers to the act of preaching or the content of what is being preached (Harnisch & Reumann, 2003; Robb & Clements, 1991). The word “kerygma” is related to the ancient Greek institution of heralds who made announcements on behalf of the city’s government and appeared in diplomatic missions, athletic games, and other important events. This term is also interrelated with gospels, which literally mean “good news” (Powell, 2018, p. 95). As such, it often means the proclamation of good news, such as the establishment of new world order, freedom to the oppressed, and the promise of salvation (Robb & Clements, 1991). The kerygma should be proclaimed to all people because God’s promises refer to anyone without exceptions (Robb & Clements, 1991). Thus, this term means the act or the content of preaching.
The Synoptic Gospels include three gospels: Mark, Matthew, and Luke. “Synoptic” means “seeing together,” and these three gospels acquired such a name because they are related to each other and can be read in parallel (Powell, 2018, p. 108). The word “kerygma” appears two times in the Synoptic Gospels: one time in Matthew and one time in Luke. The passages in which this term is used are identical in both gospels: “The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here” (King James Bible, 1611, Matthew 12:41, Luke 11:32). In this verse, “kerygma” probably means the content of preaching rather than the act of preaching. In Matthew, this passage is followed by a verse in which “the preaching of Jonas” can be paralleled with “the wisdom of Solomon” (King James Bible, 1611, Matthew 12:42). Based on that, one can conclude that “kerygma” in this passage refers to the message of Jonah’s preaching.
References
Harnisch, W., & Reumann, J. (2003). Kerygma. In E. Fahlbusch et al. (Eds.), The encyclopedia of Christianity (Vol. 3, pp. 113-116). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.
King James Bible. (1611).
Powell, M. A. (2018). Introducing the New Testament: A historical, literary, and theological survey (2nd ed.). Baker Academic.
Robb, T. B., & Clements, W. M. (1991). Growing up: Pastoral nurture for the later years. Psychology Press.