Matthew . . .
“Gospel of the Messiah”

Although Mark likely has the distinction of writing the first of the four gospels, the gospel according to Matthew comes first in our New Testament. Because Matthew's is the most Jewish of all four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), it's appropriate to find it as the first book of the New Testament; it's also the gospel most closely linked to the Old Testament's text, cultures, and practices; and it highlights the prophecies made regarding the coming of the Messiah.

Matthew’s central theme is promise and fulfillment: God’s promises in the Hebrew Scriptures to bring salvation to his people, Israel, and to the whole world are being fulfilled with the coming of Jesus the Messiah.

Matthew uses many titles for Jesus in his Gospel, including Messiah, King, Lord, Son of God, Son of Man, Son of David, Immanuel, etc. All of these have their roots in the Old Testament and point in one way or another to the theme of fulfillment and the coming of the kingdom of heaven.

The Bible gives us four accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry. Each covers many of the same experiences from different perspectives. Some recount moments the others don't. Each was written in a specific context for a specific purpose, affecting how we understand its allusions, references, and framing.

If you haven’t studied Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John closely, you may have trouble recalling what sets each of these books apart.

  †  Eight noteworthy facts about Matthew’s gospel to remember (compliments of Jesus Film Project)


1.  Matthew was primarily written for a Jewish audience.

2.  Five women are included in Matthew’s genealogy.

3.  The symbol for the Gospel of Matthew is a winged man.

4.  The book contains more than 130 Old Testament quotes and allusions.

5.  Matthew repeatedly used two phrases no other gospel includes.

6.  The book of Matthew is one of the three synoptic gospels.

7.  Matthew introduces Jesus as “Messiah.”

8.  Matthew is the only gospel that mentions the magi at Jesus’ birth.




Thanks to Bible Project, we can see and appreciate the mysterious promised deliverer whom Matthew revealed. He, the Messiah, would one day come to confront evil and rescue humanity.

 An animated video from Bible Project


Opening page of Warren Camp's 'Matthew's Gospel Movies' website

The “Matthew’s Gospel Movies”

— Chapters 1 through 6 —
Videos Compliments of AllAudio Bible

AllAudio Bible brings the original Jesus narrative to the screen using the gospel text as its script, word for word. Filmed nine years ago, this series deals with all the facets of Jesus Christ’s life, including the nativity, Herod, the baptism of John the Baptist, up to Jesus' death and resurrection.

Chapters 1–6;  7–12;  13–18;  19–24;  25–28



First Page — Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 . . .


Matthew, chapter 1 (only 4 minutes)

Matthew 1:1 †  A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the Son of David, the son of Abraham: 2Abraham was the father of Isaac, . . .




Matthew, chapter 2 (3 minutes)

Matthew 2:1 †  After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem . . .




Matthew, chapter 3 (2 minutes)

Matthew 3:1 †  In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven . . ."




Matthew, chapter 4 (3 minutes)

Matthew 4:1 †  Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days, and forty nights, . . .




Matthew, chapter 5 (6 minutes)

Matthew 5:1 †  Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, . . .




Matthew, chapter 6 (5 minutes)

Matthew 6:1 †  "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have . . ."




All of the "Matthew Movies" can be found on these pages. . .

Chapters 1–6;  7–12;  13–18;  19–24;  25–28




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See the entire list of all 44 of Jesus' parables, including links to passages.

List of all 44 parables of Jesus

Click the list or the “bird” to enlarge and use Warren’s list of forty-four of Jesus’ parables (a PDF file with links).

The Calling of Matthew

9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

— Matthew 9:9–13
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.

— Acts 11:19