Matthew

Introduction

The Gospel of Matthew is traditionally attributed to the apostle Matthew (also called Levi), a former tax collector who became one of Jesus' twelve disciples. Written primarily for a Jewish audience, this Gospel presents Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and the rightful King of Israel. Most scholars date its composition to the 60s-80s AD, likely after the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, though some argue for an earlier date. Matthew draws heavily on the Hebrew Scriptures, citing more Old Testament passages than any other Gospel, and frequently uses the formula "this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet" to connect Jesus' life to Israel's prophetic tradition.

Matthew's Gospel is the most structured and teaching-oriented of the four Gospels. It organizes Jesus' ministry around five major discourse sections — echoing the five books of Moses — interspersed with narrative material. The book opens with Jesus' genealogy and birth (establishing His royal and Abrahamic lineage), moves through His public ministry of teaching and miracles in Galilee, records growing opposition from the religious leaders, and culminates in the passion, death, and resurrection in Jerusalem. Matthew emphasizes the "kingdom of heaven" (a phrase unique to this Gospel), Jesus' authority as teacher and interpreter of the Law, and the calling of disciples to live as citizens of that kingdom.

Structure

The Birth and Early Years of the Messiah (Chapters 1-2)

Jesus' genealogy, virgin birth, the visit of the Magi, the flight to Egypt, and the settlement in Nazareth — all presented as fulfillments of Old Testament prophecy.

The Preparation for Ministry (Chapters 3-4)

John the Baptist's preaching, Jesus' baptism, His temptation in the wilderness, and the beginning of His public ministry in Galilee with the calling of the first disciples.

The Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5-7)

First Discourse. Jesus' foundational teaching on life in the kingdom of heaven: the Beatitudes, the fulfillment of the Law, prayer, fasting, trust in God, and the call to build one's life on His words.

Miracles and Authority (Chapters 8-9)

A collection of ten miracles demonstrating Jesus' authority over disease, nature, demons, and death, interspersed with teachings on discipleship.

The Mission Discourse (Chapter 10)

Second Discourse. Jesus commissions the twelve apostles, instructs them for their mission, and warns them of persecution and the cost of following Him.

Growing Opposition and Responses (Chapters 11-12)

Jesus responds to doubt from John the Baptist, pronounces woes on unrepentant cities, clashes with the Pharisees over Sabbath observance and the source of His authority, and redefines His true family.

The Parables of the Kingdom (Chapter 13)

Third Discourse. Seven parables about the kingdom of heaven — the Sower, the Wheat and Tares, the Mustard Seed, the Leaven, the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Dragnet — explaining the kingdom's hidden growth and ultimate separation.

Revelation of Identity and the Church (Chapters 14-18)

Miracles including the feeding of the five thousand and walking on water, Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Transfiguration, and Jesus' first predictions of His death and resurrection.

• Fourth Discourse (Chapter 18): Teaching on humility, forgiveness, church discipline, and care for the "little ones."

Journey to Jerusalem (Chapters 19-20)

Teachings on marriage, riches, laborers in the vineyard, and further predictions of the passion, as Jesus travels toward Jerusalem.

Conflict in Jerusalem (Chapters 21-23)

The triumphal entry, cleansing of the temple, confrontations with religious leaders through parables and debates, and the seven woes against the scribes and Pharisees.

The Olivet Discourse (Chapters 24-25)

Fifth Discourse. Jesus' teaching on the destruction of the temple, the signs of His coming, and the end of the age, illustrated by parables of watchfulness (the Ten Virgins, the Talents, the Sheep and the Goats).

The Passion and Resurrection (Chapters 26-28)

The Last Supper, Gethsemane, the arrest and trials, the crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and the Great Commission.

Chapter Summaries

1. 1The genealogy of Jesus Christ traces His lineage from Abraham through David to Joseph, and the birth of Jesus is recounted — conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and named Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.
2. 2Magi from the east come to worship the newborn King, Herod plots to kill Him, and Joseph flees with Mary and Jesus to Egypt, returning after Herod's death to settle in Nazareth.
3. 3John the Baptist preaches repentance in the wilderness of Judea, baptizes those who confess their sins, and baptizes Jesus, at which the heavens open and the Spirit descends like a dove.
4. 4Jesus is tempted by the devil in the wilderness for forty days, then begins His public ministry in Galilee, preaching "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," and calls His first disciples.
5. 5Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes, teaches that He came to fulfill the Law, and raises the standard of righteousness beyond outward conformity to the heart's intent.
6. 6Jesus teaches on giving, prayer (including the Lord's Prayer), fasting, and storing up treasure in heaven rather than on earth, culminating in the call to seek first the kingdom of God.
7. 7Jesus warns against judging others, encourages persistent prayer, describes the narrow gate, warns of false prophets, and concludes the Sermon with the parable of the wise and foolish builders.
8. 8Jesus heals a leper, the centurion's servant, Peter's mother-in-law, and many others; He calms a storm on the Sea of Galilee and casts out demons from two men in the region of the Gadarenes.
9. 9Jesus heals a paralytic and forgives his sins, calls Matthew the tax collector, raises a ruler's daughter from the dead, heals a woman with a bleeding disorder, gives sight to two blind men, and sends out workers for the harvest.
10. 10Jesus commissions the twelve apostles, gives them authority over unclean spirits and diseases, and warns them of persecution, telling them not to fear those who kill the body but to confess Him before others.
11. 11John the Baptist, in prison, sends messengers to ask if Jesus is the Coming One; Jesus praises John, denounces the unrepentant cities, and invites the weary and burdened to find rest in Him.
12. 12Jesus defends His disciples for plucking grain on the Sabbath, heals a man with a withered hand, is accused of casting out demons by Beelzebul, warns of the unforgivable sin, and declares that those who do God's will are His family.
13. 13Jesus teaches seven parables about the kingdom of heaven — the Sower, the Wheat and Tares, the Mustard Seed, the Leaven, the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl, and the Dragnet — and is rejected in His hometown of Nazareth.
14. 14Herod beheads John the Baptist; Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish, walks on the water, and heals the sick in Gennesaret.
15. 15Jesus confronts the Pharisees over their tradition that nullifies God's commandments, teaches that defilement comes from the heart, heals the Canaanite woman's daughter, and feeds four thousand.
16. 16The Pharisees and Sadducees demand a sign; Jesus warns against their leaven; Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God; and Jesus predicts His death and resurrection for the first time.
17. 17Jesus is transfigured on a high mountain before Peter, James, and John; He heals a demon-possessed boy the disciples could not cure, predicts His death again, and teaches about the temple tax.
18. 18Jesus teaches on humility and greatness in the kingdom, warns against causing others to stumble, tells the parable of the lost sheep, gives instructions on church discipline, and teaches unlimited forgiveness through the parable of the unforgiving servant.
19. 19Jesus teaches on marriage and divorce, blesses the little children, challenges the rich young man to sell his possessions and follow Him, and promises the twelve that they will sit on thrones judging the tribes of Israel.
20. 20Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard, predicts His death a third time, corrects James and John's mother who seeks positions of honor for her sons, and heals two blind men near Jericho.
21. 21Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey to the crowd's shouts of "Hosanna," cleanses the temple, curses a fig tree, and challenges the religious leaders with the parables of the two sons and the wicked tenants.
22. 22Jesus tells the parable of the wedding feast, answers questions about paying taxes to Caesar, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment, and silences the Pharisees by asking whose son the Christ is.
23. 23Jesus pronounces seven woes against the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy, warns that upon them will fall all the righteous blood shed on earth, and laments over Jerusalem's refusal to be gathered under His care.
24. 24Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple, describes the signs of the end of the age and His coming in glory, and warns His disciples to be watchful because no one knows the day or the hour.
25. 25Jesus tells the parables of the Ten Virgins and the Talents to urge readiness, and describes the final judgment in which the Son of Man separates the sheep from the goats based on how they treated "the least of these."
26. 26Jesus is anointed at Bethany, shares the Last Supper with His disciples, agonizes in prayer at Gethsemane, is betrayed by Judas, arrested, and tried before the Sanhedrin, while Peter denies Him three times.
27. 27Judas hangs himself in remorse; Jesus is tried before Pilate, who hands Him over to be crucified; Jesus is mocked, crucified between two criminals, and buried in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb.
28. 28On the first day of the week, the women find the tomb empty, an angel announces that Jesus has risen, Jesus appears to the women and then to the eleven disciples in Galilee, and He commissions them to make disciples of all nations.