Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus: How a Jewish Perspective Can Transform Your Understanding

by Lois Tverberg

the Greek word for gospel, euanggelion (literally, “good news”), in the New Testament also comes from terminology that was used in regards to kings and their dominions. When a new king was crowned, the euanggelion was the announcement that the monarch had taken the throne, that a new kingdom had taken power. Why is this called “good news”? Because an announcement of euanggelion was good news to the empire and its cheering citizens, even though enemies and dissidents would find it quite terrible. How happy you are as the hearer is not the point. The news is good for the king and his kingdom. Strictly speaking, the gospel, the euanggelion, is simply that God had appointed Jesus as his chosen King.

Hebraically, the “fear of the Lord” is being aware of the awesome, holy presence of God.