Matthew 4:17 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

From that time Jesus began to preach — He had preached before, both to Jews and Samaritans, John 4:41, John 4:45. But from this time begin his solemn stated preaching. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand — Although it is the peculiar business of Christ to establish the kingdom of heaven in the hearts of men, yet it is observable, he begins his preaching in the same words with John the Baptist: because the repentance which John taught still was, and ever will be, the necessary preparation for that inward kingdom. But that phrase is not only used with regard to individuals in whom it is to be established, but also with regard to the Christian Church, the whole body of believers. In the former sense it is opposed to repentance; in the latter the Mosaic dispensation.