The Good News – Euangelion
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For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel (euangelion) will save it.
-Mark 8:35
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What does the phrase “Good News” or in greek “Euangelion” really mean?
In 1st century BC Hellenistic life, the verb εὐαγγελίζομαι (euangelizomai) also known as “to evangelize” carried connotations beyond its later, very popularized, Christian theological use. It broadly meant “to announce good news” or “to proclaim a message of joy.” Its implications depended on the context, but several key associations from the times emerge that are lost on non-monarchy citizens today:
- Imperial and Political Announcements – The term euangelizomai was often used in relation to official proclamations, particularly those concerning rulers. In Hellenistic and Roman contexts, εὐαγγέλια (euangelia, “good news”) could refer to official decrees or joyous news about a king, military victory, or an emperor’s birth or accession. For example, inscriptions from the era use the term in connection with the birth of Augustus Caesar, whose reign was heralded as bringing peace and salvation to the empire.
- Religious and Cultic Announcements – In Greek religious life, εὐαγγελίζομαι could refer to declarations about divine blessings, oracular pronouncements, and news related to the activities of gods. It was sometimes associated with messages from deities or divine interventions, especially in relation to festivals and cultic practices.
- Military Victories and Conquests – The term was also used for announcements of military victories, where heralds would proclaim εὐαγγέλια to the populace, celebrating triumphs that brought peace and security. For example the good news that a runner, sometimes identified as Pheidippides, who brought a message of victory to Athens after the Battle of Marathon (490 BCE) and then colapsed in death was bringing the euangelia.
- Everyday Communication of Good News – More generally, the verb was used in personal or civic contexts to denote any significant good news, such as success in business, family matters (like marriage or birth), or city-wide celebrations.
By the time early Christian texts adopted the term, particularly in the New Testament, it already carried these connotations of royal proclamation, divine message, and transformative victory—elements that fit well with the idea of proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah and the kingdom of God as “good news.”
In modern terms, the equivalent of εὐαγγελίζομαι in its 1st-century BC Hellenistic context would be something like “an official proclamation,” “a presidential announcement,” or “breaking news from the government.”
For example:
- If referring to an imperial decree about a ruler’s birth or victory: “A presidential executive order” or “a major White House announcement.”
- If related to military victory: “A Pentagon press release on a successful mission.”
- If tied to religious or divine pronouncements: “A papal encyclical” or “an official proclamation from a megachurch leader.”
- If about general good news: “Breaking news of a major scientific breakthrough or national achievement.”
In all cases, the word in the ancient world carried a sense of officially sanctioned, highly significant good news that was meant to shape public perception and morale—just as modern government statements, press conferences, and major media announcements do today.
Table of Contents
What was the purpose of the Good News?
The “Good News” of the Gospel wasn’t just happy info. These announcements had a purpose which was to drive action among the people, particularly in anticipation of the return of a victorious king or general:
A Military victory euangelia – This would be sent to prompt the population to prepare celebrations, tributes, or logistical support for the returning army and their King. It would aslo drive them to remove baricades and unlock city gates, allow citizens to go back to the fields and work in place of military patrols, and refugees who might have been locked up would be released. This would enable citizens to unhide food stores and reopen marketplaces. Normal trade would recommence as well as normal holiday schedules.
A Royal visit euangelia – This would be sent to prompt the population to clean, decorate, and prepare processional routes for the returning or new king. This might require them to pledge renewed allegiance to the ruler, sometimes through oaths, coinage inscriptions, or statues. At the least it would require supplies and food for the honor of the arriving Ruler.
A Biblical visit euangelia -Jesus was very clear with multiple quotes, parables and allusions that he was warning those that would listen that a new Kingdom was coming to rule over all nations, a royal proclamation of a new kingdom. He called his followers to prepare for his coming reign and to tell others the Good News that his Kingdom was coming in full power and force and to expectantly wait as if they were no longer citizens of the nations they were in but were instead advance citizens of his kingdom who were to obey the temporary authorities for the time being unless they conflicted with his orders. To work and align themselves in repentance and faith to the coming Kingdom of Heaven.
In Summary
There are many examples of this throughout historical documents but for example some would be:
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It was resolved by the Council and People: Themistocles, son of Neocles of Phrearroi, proposed: To deliver the City in trust to Athena… and that the Athenians themselves and the foreigners who dwell in Athens shall deposit their children and wives in Troizen… and old people and goods in Salamis.
-The Decree of Themistocles (480 BC) actions in anticipation of conflict before the Battle of Salamis
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During Demetrius Poliorcetes’ siege, the Rhodians took extensive defensive measures to protect their city. The prolonged siege and the eventual lifting of it led to significant “Good News” actions, including the construction of the Colossus of Rhodes to celebrate their resilience. The Helepolis, which had been abandoned, had its metal plating melted down and—along with the money from selling the remains of the siege engines and equipment left behind by Demetrius—was used to erect a statue of their sun god, Helios, now known as the Colossus of Rhodes, to commemorate their heroic resistance.
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But that which is by far the most worthy of our admiration, is the colossal statue of the Sun, which stood formerly at Rhodes, and was the work of Chares the Lindian, a pupil of the above-named Lysippus; no less than seventy cubits in height. This statue fifty-six years after it was erected, was thrown down by an earthquake; but even as it lies, it excites our wonder and admiration. Few men can clasp the thumb in their arms, and its fingers are larger than most statues. Where the limbs are broken asunder, vast caverns are seen yawning in the interior. Within it, too, are to be seen large masses of rock, by the weight of which the artist steadied it while erecting it.
–Pliny the Elder “Natural History”
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The Good News, which Christians are to euangelizomai to the world is that the Kingdoms of Man have a new ruler who is coming, a ruler that has won the deed to the entire earth from the enemy Ha-Satan (הַשָּׂטָן) as well as the keys to death and Sheol, the grave.
This King is returning and when he arives and you are found breaking the decrees of his kingdom or paying homage to his defeated foe, it will not be a time of forgiveness so exorcise those drives and idols now from your homes so he can come and find you worthy to celebrate with. To help with this process he sent his advance herold to help each city to prepare for that coming date. A date we used to know and have forgotten over time as the old norms were left behind.
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And this gospel (euangelion) of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
-Matthew 24:14
How beautiful is it to hear the prophets proclaim the Messiah, God in the flesh who proclaims the end of the war, the one Daniel said would bring the good news of victory proclaiming freedom from death and destruction. The one who will comfort all who mourn and reveal to them all the Ages of time.
-11Q13 Dead Sea Scrolls
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Read "Messiah ben David"
For more information see “Messiah ben David”.
Read "Weeping & Gnashing of Teeth"
For more information see “Weaping & Gnashing of Teeth”.
Read "Ages of Time"
For more information see “Ages of Time”.