“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.
Click the list or the “bird” to enlarge and use Warren’s list of forty-four of Jesus’ parables (a PDF file with links).
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
“Matthew’s Gospel” Chapters 9–14
A Diverse Compilation of Bible-Study Resources
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In addition to this collection of chapter-specific Bible studies that include theological commentaries from a number of respected sources, you can watch a series of "Matthew's Gospel" videos on "The Beatitudes," "The Sermon on the Mount," "Matthew Videos by Chapter," and "Jesus' Forty-Plus Parables." Audio recitations of chapters are by Max McLean from The Listeners Bible: NIV Edition.
Chapters 1–8; 9–14; 15–22; 23–28
Second Page — Chapters 9 through 14 . . .
Matthew, chapter 9, part 1
"Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man" and "The Calling of Matthew"
Read Matthew 9:1–13 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Bible.org, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 9.
9:6b–7 So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7Then the man got up and went home.
Chapter 9, part 2
"Jesus Questioned About Fasting" and "Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman"
Read Matthew 9:14–26 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Bible.org, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 9.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of Questions Asked About Fasting (9:14–17).
9:15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”
Chapter 9, part 3
"Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute" and "The Workers Are Few"
Read Matthew 9:27–38 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 9.
9:37–38 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Chapter 10, part 1
"Jesus Sends Out the Twelve — Phase 1"
Read Matthew 10:1–15 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 10.
10:1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
Chapter 10, part 2
"Jesus Sends Out the Twelve — Phase 2"
Read Matthew 10:16–31 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 10.
10:16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Chapter 10, part 3
"Jesus Sends Out the Twelve — Phase 3," including "Bearing Your Cross" — See Warren's devotional slideshow titled "Carrying Your Cross"
Read Matthew 10:32–42 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 10.
10:32–33 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”
Chapter 11, part 1
"Jesus and John the Baptist"
Read Matthew 11:1–19 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Bible.org, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 11.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the People of This Generation (11:13–24).
11:11 “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Chapter 11, part 2
"Woe on Unrepentant Towns" and "The Father Revealed in the Son"
Read Matthew 11:20–30 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Bible.org, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 11.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the People of This Generation (11:13–24).
11:28–30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Chapter 12, part 1
"Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath"
Read Matthew 12:1–14 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 12.
12:7–8 “If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Chapter 12, part 2
"God's Chosen Servant"
Read Matthew 12:15–21 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 12.
12:17–18 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 18“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.”
Chapter 12, part 3
"Jesus and Beezelbul (the Prince of Demons)"
Read Matthew 12:22–37 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 12.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Strongman (12:29), including a video clip
12:30–31 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.”
Chapter 12, part 4
"The Sign of Jonah" and "Jesus' Mother and Brothers"
Read Matthew 12:38–50 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 12.
12:39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”
Chapter 13, part 1
"The Parable of the Sower"
Read Matthew 13:1–23 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 13.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Sower, Seed, and Soil (13:1–23), including a video from Jesus Film Project
13:3 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. . .”
Chapter 13, part 2
"The Parables of the Weeds, the Mustard Seed, and the Yeast"
Read Matthew 13:24–43 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 13.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Weeds (or Wheat and Tares) (13:24–43), including a video
• Warren's summaries of the Parable of the Mustard Seed (13:31–32) and the Leaven (13:33), including a video on each summary
13:24–25 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.”
Chapter 13, part 3
"The Parables of the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl, and the Net" and "A Prophet Without Honor"
Read Matthew 13:44–58 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 13.
• Warren's summaries of the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Value (13:44–46), including a video
• Warren's summaries of the Parable of the Fishing Net and the Household Treasures (13:47–52), including a video on each summary
13:45–46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Chapter 14, part 1
"John the Baptist Beheaded" and "Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand"
Read Matthew 14:1–21 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 14.
14:5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.
Chapter 14, part 2
"Jesus Walks on the Water"
Read Matthew 14:22–36 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 14.
14:25–27 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Additional "Matthew's Gospel" resources can be found on these pages. . .
Chapters 1–8; 9–14; 15–22; 23–28
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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 |
