Matthew
The Gospel of the King: Jesus as Messiah, fulfilling the Scriptures from the manger to the Great Commission
Matthew at a glance
The Gospel of the King: Jesus as Messiah, fulfilling the Scriptures from the manger to the Great Commission
Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and the first of the four Gospels. Church tradition attributes it to Matthew, also called Levi, the tax collector whom Jesus called from the receipt of custom to be one of the twelve apostles. Written with a Jewish audience especially in view, it opens with a genealogy tracing Jesus from Abraham through David, and again and again it pauses to note 'that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet.' Matthew is the bridge from the Old Testament to the New, presenting Jesus as Israel's long-promised King.
The book moves from the virgin birth and the visit of the wise men, through Jesus' baptism by John and temptation in the wilderness, into a ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing throughout Galilee. Matthew gathers Jesus' teaching into five great discourses, most famously the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer, along with the kingdom parables of chapter 13 and the Olivet discourse on the end of the age. The story climaxes in Jerusalem: the triumphal entry, the last supper, Gethsemane, the cross, the empty tomb, and the risen Lord's Great Commission.
Matthew matters because it insists that Jesus is 'Emmanuel... God with us,' the fulfillment of everything the law and the prophets pointed toward. Its closing charge - go, teach all nations, baptizing them - defines the church's mission, sealed with the promise 'lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.'
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 King James Version
Explore Matthew
How Matthew unfolds
8 sections- 1Birth and early years of the King (ch. 1-2)The genealogy from Abraham and David, the virgin birth of Emmanuel, the wise men and the star, Herod's slaughter of the infants, and the flight to Egypt.
- 2Preparation and the start of ministry (ch. 3-4)John the Baptist prepares the way, Jesus is baptized in Jordan and tempted forty days in the wilderness, then begins preaching 'Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' and calls his first disciples.
- 3The Sermon on the Mount (ch. 5-7)The Beatitudes, salt and light, the deeper righteousness of the kingdom, the Lord's Prayer, treasure in heaven, the golden rule, and the wise man who built his house upon a rock.
- 4Miracles and mission (ch. 8-10)A leper cleansed, the centurion's servant healed, the storm stilled, Matthew called from the tax booth, and the twelve apostles named and sent out to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
- 5Growing opposition and kingdom parables (ch. 11-13)John's question from prison, sabbath controversies with the Pharisees, and the parables of the sower, the wheat and tares, the mustard seed, the hidden treasure, and the pearl of great price.
- 6From Galilee toward the cross (ch. 14-20)The feeding of the five thousand, walking on the sea, Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi, the transfiguration, teaching on forgiveness and the church, and repeated predictions of the passion.
- 7Jerusalem: confrontation and the Olivet discourse (ch. 21-25)The triumphal entry, the cleansing of the temple, disputes with the religious leaders, the seven woes, and the teaching on the end of the age with the parables of the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and goats.
- 8Death, resurrection, and the Great Commission (ch. 26-28)The last supper, Gethsemane, Judas's betrayal, Peter's denial, the trial and crucifixion, the earthquake and the empty tomb, and the risen Jesus commissioning his disciples to teach all nations.
People to know
6 figures- Jesus ChristThe son of David, the son of Abraham - Israel's Messiah and King, Emmanuel, crucified and risen.
- Matthew (Levi)The tax collector called by Jesus to follow him; the apostle traditionally credited with this Gospel.
- John the BaptistThe voice crying in the wilderness who prepares the way and baptizes Jesus in the Jordan.
- PeterLeading apostle who confesses 'Thou art the Christ,' walks on water, and denies Jesus three times before the cock crows.
- Judas IscariotThe disciple who betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
- PilateThe Roman governor who washes his hands and delivers Jesus to be crucified.
Words worth carrying with you
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 · KJV
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 · KJV
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Matthew 28:19 · KJV
Think you know Matthew?
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Bible Quiz: Matthew - The King Has Come | 30 Questions
Bible Quiz: Matthew - Kingdom of Heaven | 30 Questions
Hard Matthew Bible Quiz - Can You Score 30/30?