“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 15–22
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
Third Page — Chapters 15 through 22 . . .
Matthew, chapter 15, part 1
"That Which Defiles" and "Clean and Unclean"
Read Matthew 15:1–20 (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 15.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Blind, Leading the Blind (15:13–14)
15:8–9 “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”
Chapter 15, part 2
"The Faith of a Canaanite Woman" and "Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand"
Read Matthew 15:21–39 (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 15.
15:28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Chapter 16, part 1
"The Demand for a Sign" and "The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees"
Read Matthew 16:1–12 (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 16.
16:4 “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.
Chapter 16, part 2
"Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah" and "Jesus Predicts His Death"
Read Matthew 16:13–28 (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 16.
16:15–17 “But what about you?” he asked.“Who do you say I am?”
17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”
Chapter 17, part 1
"The Transfiguration"
Read Matthew 17:1–13 (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 17.
17:1–2 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
Chapter 17, part 2
"Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy," "Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time," and "The Temple Tax"
Read Matthew 17:14–27 (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 17.
17:22–23 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. 23They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.
Chapter 18, part 1
"The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven," "Causing to Stumble," and "The Parable of the Wandering Sheep"
Read Matthew 18:1–14 (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 18.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Lost (or Wandering) Sheep (18:10–14), including a two-minute animated video clip
18:8–9 “ If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”
Chapter 18, part 2
"Dealing With Sin in the Church"
Read Matthew 18:15–20 (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 18.
18:19–20 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Chapter 18, part 3
"The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant"
Read Matthew 18:21–35 (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 18.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Unforgiving (or Unmerciful) Servant (18:21–35), including a video
18:21–22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Chapter 19, part 1
"Divorce" and "The Little Children and Jesus"
Read Matthew 19:1–15 (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 19.
19:4–5 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?”
Chapter 19, part 2
"The Rich and the Kingdom of God"
Read Matthew 19:16–30 (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 19.
19:23–24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
Chapter 20, part 1
"The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard" and "Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time"
Read Matthew 20:1–19 (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 20.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (20:1–16), including a video narrated by Max McLean
20:15 “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?”
Chapter 20, part 2
"A Mother’s Request" and "Two Blind Men Receive Sight"
Read Matthew 20:20–34 (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 20.
20:29–30 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
Chapter 21, part 1
"Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King" and "Jesus at the Temple"
Read Matthew 21:1–17 (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 21.
21:9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” . . . “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” . . . “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Chapter 21, part 2
"Jesus Curses a Fig Tree" and "The Authority of Jesus Questioned"
Read Matthew 21:18–27 (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 21.
21:19–20 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
20When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?“ they asked.
Chapter 21, part 3
"The Parable of the Two Sons" and "The Parable of the Wicked Tenants"
Read Matthew 21:28–46 (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 21.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Two Sons (21:28–32), including a video
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (or Trustees) (21:33–46), including a five-minute video
21:43–44 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”
Chapter 22, part 1
"The Parable of the Wedding Banquet"
Read Matthew 22:1–14 (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 22.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Wedding Banquet (or Marriage Feast) (22:1–14), including a three-minute video
22:1–3 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.”
Chapter 22, part 2
"Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar" and "Marriage at the Resurrection"
Read Matthew 22:15–33 (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 22.
22:17–18 “Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” 18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?”
Chapter 22, part 3
"The Greatest Commandment" and "Whose Son Is the Messiah?"
Read Matthew 22:34–46 (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 22.
22:36–37 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
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 |
