“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
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
‹ ‹ ‹ Return to our Bible-studies Home page.
Click the list or the “bird” to enlarge and use Warren’s list of forty-four of Jesus’ parables (a PDF file with links).
Introduction to Matthew’s Gospel:
Author
Matthew, one of the twelve apostles, is believed by the majority of Bible scholars today to have written this gospel. He, whose name means "gift of the Lord," was a tax collector who, when personally called by Jesus, left his tax collector's booth to follow Jesus (Matthew 9:9–13). He's called by his other name, Levi, in Mark's and Luke's gospels.
Date and Place of Writing
Because of this gospel's Jewish slant, many believe that it was written in Palestine while others think that it had been written in Syrian Antioch. Based on its Jewish characteristics, it was possibly written in the early church period, perhaps the beginning of AD 50, when the gospel was preached only to Jews (see Acts 11:19). However, others date it later, after Mark's gospel had been in circulation for some time.
Recipients
Clearly, seeing that Matthew wrote this gospel in Greek, his readers were obviously Greek-speaking people, including Jews. Although much of what Matthew expresses is aimed at the understandings of Jewish readers, he didn't allow his gospel to be restricted to the Jewish culture. In fact, it often highlighted non-Jewish events, practices, and mores, giving it a more comprehensive, all-encompassing presentation.
Purpose
Without doubt, Matthew made a stern effort to prove to his Jewish readers that Jesus was their Messiah. All three synoptic gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) cite relevant Old Testament Scriptures, however, Matthew also includes a variety of excerpts meant to conclusively reinforce the basic theme of this narrative, that Christ Jesus is the fulfillment of the OT prophecies about the coming Messiah. In addition, because Matthew was writing to Jews, it was important for him to begin his gospel by identifying Jesus' Davidic lineage, referring to him as "the son of David."
Outline
| Matthew, | Chapter by chapter (NIV) |
| 1 | • Genealogy and record of virgin birth of Jesus |
| 2 | • Visit of wise men; flight to Egypt; return to Nazareth |
| 3 | • John the Baptist, forerunner of King, announces kingdom and baptizes Jesus, the King |
| 4 | • Testing of the King in wilderness; begins public ministry at Capernaum; calls disciples |
| 5, 6, 7 | • Sermon on the Mount (1) relationship of subjects of kingdom to self (5:1–16), (2) relationship of subjects of kingdom to Law (5:17–48), (3) relationship of subjects of kingdom to God (6), and (4) relationship of children of King to each other (7) |
| 8 | • Six miracles of King demonstrate His dynamic to enforce ethics of Sermon on the Mount |
| 9 | • Performs six more miracles; calls Matthew; contends with Pharisees |
| 10 | • Jesus commissions twelve to preach gospel of the kingdom to nation Israel |
| 11 | • Quizzed by disciples of John; rejects unrepentant cities; issues new invitation to individuals |
| 12 | • Conflict and final break of Jesus with religious rulers |
| 13 | • Mystery parables of kingdom of heaven |
| 14 | • John the Baptist beheaded; Jesus feeds 5,000; sends disciples into storm at sea; walks on water to them |
| 15 | • Jesus denounces scribes and Pharisees; heals daughter of Syrophoenician woman and multitudes; feeds 4,000 |
| 16 | • Conflict with Pharisees and Sadducees; confession from disciples, Peter spokesman; Jesus first confronts them with church, His death and resurrection |
| 17 | • Transfiguration; demon-possessed boy; tax money provided by miracle |
| 18 | • Little child; lost sheep; conduct in coming church; forgiveness parable |
| 19 | • God’s standard for marriage and divorce; little children blessed; rich young ruler; apostles’ position in coming kingdom |
| 20 | • Parable of laborers in vineyard; Jesus makes 4th and 5th announcements of His approaching death; mother requests places of honor for James and John; Jesus restores sight to two men |
| 21 | • King offers Himself publicly and finally to nation; cleanses temple; curses fig tree; condemns religious rulers with parables of two sons and householder |
| 22 | • Parable of marriage feast for king’s son; Jesus answers and silences Herodians, Sadducees, Pharisees |
| 23 | • Jesus warns against and pronounces woes upon scribes and Pharisees; weeps over Jerusalem |
| 24, 25 | • Olivet Discourse: Jesus answers questions about sign of end of age and sign of His coming; parable of ten virgins; parable of eight talents; judgment of sheep and goat nations |
| 26 | • Jesus plotted against; anointed by Mary of Bethany; sold by Judas; observes last Passover and first Lord’s Supper; agonizes in Gethsemane; arrested and tried by religious rulers; disowned by Peter |
| 27 | • Trial, death, and burial of the King |
| 28 | • Resurrection of the King; His great commission |
Helpful Resources
See Warren Camp's collection of helpful resources for the study of Matthew's gospel; includes several theologian and scholar commentaries, movies, videos, and more. . . Click here.
