“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).
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” — Part 1 of 2
(Open Part 2: Matthew 17–26)
The complete movie, starring . . .
Richard Kiley as Matthew, Bruce Marchiano as Jesus
The Visual Bible: Matthew is a 1993 film portraying the life of Jesus, as found in Matthew's gospel. His complete gospel is presented word for word, based on the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible. Directed by South African filmmaker Regardt van den Bergh, this movie stars veteran actor Richard Kiley in the role of Matthew (who also narrates the movie), Bruce Marchiano as Jesus, and Gerrit Schoonhoven as Peter. Marchiano portrays Jesus as a joyous, earthy, personal man with a sense of humor.
In addition to this movie, you can watch a series of special “Matthew’s Gospel” videos on “The Beatitudes,” “Sermon on the Mount, ” Matthew Videos by Chapter,” and “Jesus’ Forty-Plus Parables.”
"The Genealogy and Birth of Jesus" and "The Visit of the Magi"
Video clip #1, focusing on Matthew 1:1 through 2:11; click to open.
1:1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah, . . .
1:16 . . . and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
"The Escape to Egypt" and "John the Baptizer Prepares the Way"
Video clip #2, focusing on Matthew 2:12 through 4:3
3:3b . . . This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
3:16–17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
"The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness" and "The Beatitudes"
Video clip #3, focusing on Matthew 4:4 through 5:18
• See Warren's summary of the Parable of a Lamp on a Stand (5:14–16), including a video from Jesus Film Project
4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
"Murder," "Adultery," "An Eye for an Eye," and "Prayer"
Video clip #4, focusing on Matthew 5:19 through 6:23
6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, . . .’”
6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”
"Do Not Worry," "Ask, Seek, Knock," and "The Narrow and Wide Gates"
Video clip #5, focusing on Matthew 6:23 through 8:3
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Narrow Door (or Gate) (7:13–14), including a two-minute video
• Also read his summary of the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (7:24–27), including an animated video clip
7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
7:26 “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.”
"The Faith of the Centurion, " and "Jesus Calms the Storm"
Video clip #6, focusing on Matthew 8:4 through 9:5
8:26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid? Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”
"Jesus Heals a Paralytic," "The Calling of Matthew," "The Workers Are Few"
Video clip #7, focusing on Matthew 9:6 through 9:38
• See Warren's summary of the Parable of Questions Asked About Fasting (9:14–17).
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.
9:37–38 So he said to the paralyzed man, “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.”
"Jesus Sends Out the Twelve," including "Bearing Your Cross" — See Warren's devotional slideshow titled "Carrying Your Cross."
Video clip #8, focusing on Matthew 10:1 through 11:12
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the People of This Generation (11:13–24).
10:16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
10:42 “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
"Jesus and John the Baptist" and "Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath"
Video clip #9, focusing on Matthew 11:12 through 12:22
• See 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.”
12:8 “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
"Jesus and Beezelbul (the Prince of Demons)" and "The Parable of the Sower"
Video clip #10, focusing on Matthew 12:22 through 13:15
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Strongman (12:29), including a video clip
• Also see Warren's summary of the Parable of the Sower, Seed, and Soil (13:1–23), including a video from Jesus Film Project.
12:33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.”
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. . .”
"Parables: The Weeds, Mustard Seed, Yeast, Hidden Treasure, Pearl, and Net"
Video clip #11, focusing on Matthew 13:15 through 14:13
• Warren's parable summaries: Parable of the Weeds (or Wheat and Tares) (13:24–43), including a video
• The Parable of the Mustard Seed (13:31–32) and the Leaven (13:33), including a video on each summary
• The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Value (13:44–46), including a video
• 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.”
"John the Baptist Beheaded," "Jesus Feeds Five Thousand, Walks on Water"
Video clip #12, focusing on Matthew 14:13 through 14:36
14:20–21 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
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.”
"The Faith of a Canaanite Woman" and "Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand"
Video clip #13, focusing on Matthew 15:1 through 15:37
• Warren's summary of the Parable of the Blind, Leading the Blind (15:13–14)
15:15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”
15:28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
"Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah" and "The Transfiguration"
Video clip #14, focusing on Matthew 15:37 through 17:12
16:9 “Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?”
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.”
(Open Part 2: Matthew 17–26)
To watch the full “Gospel of Matthew” movie (3 hours)
click here.
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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 |
