New Testament

Matthew

AuthorThe apostle Matthew, the tax collector
Central themeJesus, the Messiah King
About the book

Matthew opens the New Testament by presenting Jesus as the King Israel had awaited for centuries. The opening genealogy links Jesus to Abraham and to David, showing that he is the legitimate heir of God’s promises.

A former tax collector, Matthew writes primarily for Jewish readers. He quotes the Old Testament more than any other gospel, proving from the Scriptures themselves that Jesus is the promised Messiah.

Early on, an ancient prophecy calls this child Immanuel, which means God with us. This name sets the tone for the whole book: a God who draws near and remains with his people.

The gospel organizes Jesus’ teachings into five great discourses, among them the Sermon on the Mount. Each block of teaching is followed by action, revealing a King who speaks with authority and confirms his word with power.

Jesus heals the sick, calms storms, and drives out demons. At the same time, he faces growing opposition from religious leaders, who fail to recognize in him the fulfillment of the very Scriptures they guard.

Even rejected by many, Jesus continues announcing that the kingdom of heaven has come. His parables explain what this kingdom is and how it grows in the midst of the world.

In the final chapters, Jesus enters Jerusalem, is betrayed, unjustly tried, and crucified. Matthew shows that none of this took God by surprise: everything fulfilled what the prophets had said centuries before.

The resurrection confirms that the King rejected by men was exalted by God. The book ends with the Great Commission, the invitation to carry this good news to all nations, with the promise that Immanuel, God with us, will be with his own until the end of the age.

Reading Matthew means getting to know closely the King who came to serve before he reigns. May this reading also reveal to you the authority and care of this King.

Book overview

Purpose

To prove, from the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, that Jesus is the Messiah and the King promised to Israel

Audience

First century Christians of Jewish origin

Date written

Probably between AD 50 and 70, before the fall of Jerusalem

Place of writing

Antioch of Syria, according to tradition

Geographic setting

Bethlehem, Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem, with a passage through Egypt during Jesus' infancy

Historical setting

Roman rule over Palestine, from the reign of Herod the Great to the governorship of Pontius Pilate

The only gospel to record the word "church" in Jesus' teachings, organized into five great discourses

Key verses

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means "God with us").

Matthew 1:23

You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:16

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20

Timeline
6/5 BC

Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1)

around 5/4 BC

Visit of the magi and the family's flight to Egypt due to Herod's threat (Matthew 2:1-15)

around 4 BC

Death of Herod the Great and the family's return to Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23)

around AD 27

John the Baptist begins his ministry and baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:1-17)

around AD 27

Jesus is tempted in the wilderness and begins his public ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:1-17)

around AD 27 to 30

Teaching, miracles, and the sending of the twelve apostles throughout Galilee and Judea (Matthew 5:1 to 20:34)

around AD 30

Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11)

around AD 30

Last Supper, arrest in Gethsemane, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 26:1 to 27:66)

around AD 30

Resurrection of Jesus and the Great Commission to the disciples (Matthew 28:1-20)

probably between AD 50 and 70

Matthew writes the gospel for Christian readers of Jewish origin

Book outline
1
1:1 to 2:23

The promised King arrives

The genealogy links Jesus to Abraham and to David, fulfilling the messianic promises made to Israel. Joseph receives confirmation in a dream, the magi come to worship the child, and the family flees to Egypt to escape Herod's persecution. The text shows that God fulfills his promises even amid danger and the humility of a simple birth.

2
3:1 to 4:11

Preparation of the King

John the Baptist preaches repentance and baptizes Jesus, who receives the Father's public approval. Then Jesus faces Satan's temptation in the wilderness and overcomes by quoting the Word of God. Before any miracle, he shows that obedience to the Scriptures sustains us in trial.

3
4:12 to 7:29

The Sermon on the Mount

Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee, calls the first disciples, and goes up the mountain to teach the Beatitudes and the principles of the kingdom of heaven. He explains that he came to fulfill the Law, not to abolish it. The sermon calls for a righteousness that flows from the heart, not merely from outward appearance.

4
8:1 to 10:42

Miracles and the sending of the twelve

Jesus heals the sick, calms the storm, and delivers those possessed by demons, showing authority over sickness, nature, and spirits. He then chooses twelve apostles and sends them to preach the kingdom, with instructions about persecution and reward. Jesus' power now also works through those he sends.

5
11:1 to 13:58

Opposition and parables of the kingdom

As religious opposition grows, Jesus responds to John the Baptist's questions and denounces the towns that did not repent. He teaches in parables about the kingdom of heaven, revealing truths to those who believe and hiding them from those who harden their hearts. Faith, not religious background, determines who receives God's revelation.

6
14:1 to 20:34

On the way to the cross

Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, and Jesus announces for the first time his death and resurrection. At the transfiguration, the Father confirms the Son's identity before three disciples. Jesus also teaches about forgiveness, humility, and life in community, preparing the disciples for what would happen in Jerusalem.

7
21:1 to 28:20

Passion, cross, and resurrection

Jesus enters Jerusalem as King, cleanses the temple, and confronts the religious leaders in a week of decisive clashes. He is betrayed, tried, and crucified, but rises on the third day and sends the disciples to make disciples among all nations. The cross that seemed like defeat proves to be victory, and the rejected King becomes Lord of all.

Major themes

Jesus, the Messiah King

Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah promised to Israel. His genealogy, birth, and ministry confirm that he is the King God promised to send. The reader is invited to recognize in him the fulfillment of all biblical hope.

The kingdom of heaven

This is Matthew's preferred expression for God's reign, present throughout the parables and the Sermon on the Mount. This kingdom has already begun with Jesus, but still awaits its final fullness. Living under it changes priorities, values, and the way we treat others.

Fulfillment of the Scriptures

Jesus declares that he came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, not to abolish them. Repeated formulas such as so that it might be fulfilled what was spoken mark the entire book. This shows that God's faithfulness to his promises spans the whole Old Testament up to Jesus.

The church and discipleship

Matthew is the only gospel that records the word church in Jesus' teaching, including instructions about forgiveness and life in community. Following Jesus involves responsibility for one another, not just individual faith. Discipleship requires denying oneself and following the Master to the end.

The cross as victory

Jesus' passion is narrated as the fulfillment of God's plan, not as a tragic accident. The resurrection confirms that death did not have the final word. This gives hope to those who face suffering because of their faith.

The mission to the nations

The book ends with the command to make disciples among all peoples, baptizing and teaching them. The promise of Jesus' constant presence accompanies this mission to this day. Every nation is included in the call of the kingdom.

Key people
J

Jesus

The promised Messiah King

J

Joseph

Jesus' adoptive father

M

Mary

Mother of Jesus, chosen by God

J

John the Baptist

Forerunner who announces the King

S

Simon Peter

Confesses Jesus as the Christ

J

Judas Iscariot

Disciple who betrays Jesus

H

Herod

King who persecutes the child Jesus

C

Caiaphas

High priest who tries Jesus

P

Pontius Pilate

Roman governor who crucifies Jesus

Key places

Bethlehem

Matthew 2:1-12

Egypt

Matthew 2:13-15

Nazareth

Matthew 2:19-23

Jordan River

Matthew 3:13-17

Wilderness

Matthew 4:1-11

Capernaum

Matthew 4:12-17

Jerusalem

Matthew 21:1-11

Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36-46

Golgotha

Matthew 27:33-50

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