“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.
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 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
“Matthew’s Gospel” Chapters 23–28
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
Fourth Page — Chapters 23 through 28 . . .
Matthew, chapter 23
"A Warning Against Hypocrisy" and "Seven Woes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees"
Read Matthew 23:1–39 (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 23.
23:13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”
Chapter 24, part 1
"The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times"
Read Matthew 24:1–35 (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 24.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Budding Fig Tree (24:32–35), including a three-minute video
24:4–5 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.”
Chapter 24, part 2
"The Day and Hour Unknown"
Read Matthew 24:36–51 (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 24.
24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Chapter 25, part 1
"The Parable of the Ten Virgins"
Read Matthew 25:1–13 (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 25.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Ten (Wise and Foolish) Virgins (25:1–13), including a five-minute video
25:1–2 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise.”
Chapter 25, part 2
"The Parable of the Talents (or Bags of Gold)"
Read Matthew 25:14–30 (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 25.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Talents (or Bags of Gold) (25:14–30), including an animated four-minute video
25:21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
Chapter 25, part 3
"The Sheep and the Goats"
Read Matthew 25:31–46 (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 25.
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (25:31–46), including an animated three-minute video
25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Chapter 26, part 1
"The Plot Against Jesus," "Jesus Anointed at Bethany," and "Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus"
Read Matthew 26:1–16 (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 26.
26:3–4 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.
Chapter 26, part 2
"The Last Supper" and "Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial"
Read Matthew 26:17–35 (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 26.
26:20–21 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
Chapter 26, part 3
"Gethsemane"
Read Matthew 26:36–46 (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 26.
26:36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
Chapter 26, part 4
"Jesus Arrested" and "Jesus Before the Sanhedrin"
Read Matthew 26:47–68 (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 26.
26:55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.”
Chapter 26, part 5
"Peter Disowns Jesus"
Read Matthew 26:69–75 (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 26.
26:75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Chapter 27, part 1
"Judas Hangs Himself"
Read Matthew 27:1–10 (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 27.
27:5–8 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
Chapter 27, part 2
"Jesus Before Pilate"
Read Matthew 27:11–26 (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 27.
27:11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
Chapter 27, part 3
"The Soldiers Mock Jesus" and "The Crucifixion of Jesus"
Read Matthew 27:27–44 (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 27.
27:33–35 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Chapter 27, part 4
"The Death of Jesus"
Read Matthew 27:45–56 (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 27.
27:50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
Chapter 27, part 5
"The Burial of Jesus" and "The Guard at the Tomb"
Read Matthew 27:57–66 (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 27.
27:57–58 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Chapter 28, part 1
"Jesus Has Risen" and "The Guards’ Report"
Read Matthew 28:1–15 (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 28.
28:5–6 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.”
Chapter 28, part 2
"The Great Commission"
Read Matthew 28:16–20 (choose a version); listen to this chapter; choose and read a commentary (BibleGateway.com, Bible.org (Part 1), Bible.org (Part 2), Bible.org (Part 3), Enduring Word, Hilda Bright, C. H. Spurgeon, and numerous others); watch a short AudioBible movie of Chapter 28.
28:18–20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
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 |
