Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and serves as the great bridge between the Old and New Testaments. Written by Matthew (also called Levi), a tax collector whom Jesus called to be a disciple, this Gospel's primary purpose is to prove to a Jewish audience that Jesus is the promised Messiah and King who fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament.

I. The King’s Arrival and Authority (Chapters 1–7)

Matthew begins by immediately linking Jesus to the Old Testament promises.

• Lineage and Birth: The Gospel starts with the genealogy, establishing Jesus’s legal right to the throne as the Son of Abraham and the Son of David (Matthew 1:1). The birth narrative includes the visit of the Magi and the flight to Egypt, often noting how Jesus’s life fulfills specific prophecies (Matthew 2:15).

• Preparation for Ministry: After Jesus's baptism, He is tempted in the wilderness, where He quotes the Old Testament to defeat Satan. His ministry begins with the call of the first disciples and massive healing miracles.

• The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew organizes Jesus’s teaching into five large blocks of material. The first and most famous is the Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5–7). This sermon reveals the revolutionary ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven, moving beyond the letter of the Law to the intent of the heart (e.g., love your enemies, the Beatitudes). Jesus declares: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17)

II. The King’s Power and Opposition (Chapters 8–18)

This section focuses on the power of the King, displayed through miracles and teaching, and the growing opposition He faces.

• Demonstration of Authority: Jesus performs a sequence of ten miracles that demonstrate His authority over disease, nature, demons, and death.

• The Kingdom Parables: Jesus uses parables (like the Sower, the Mustard Seed, and the Yeast) to explain the hidden nature of the Kingdom of Heaven—that it grows quietly among men despite opposition.

• The Church: Matthew is the only Gospel to use the word “church” (ekklēsia), establishing Jesus’s intention to found a new community of believers. Following Peter’s confession, Jesus states: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

III. The King’s Rejection, Sacrifice, and Commission (Chapters 19–28)

The final section details the events leading up to the climax of the King’s mission.

• The Confrontation in Jerusalem: Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly (the Triumphal Entry) and then confronts the religious authorities who refuse to recognize His authority.

• The Passion and Resurrection: Matthew’s account of the crucifixion and resurrection is powerful. He notably includes the detail of the guards being posted at the tomb and the Jewish leaders' attempt to cover up the resurrection with a false story of the disciples stealing the body.

• The Great Commission: The book concludes with the resurrected Jesus giving His disciples the ultimate mandate for the Church—a mandate for global expansion:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)

Applying the Truth Today

Matthew’s Gospel assures us that Jesus is truly the long-awaited King who holds all authority. It challenges us to live by the radical ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven defined in the Sermon on the Mount—an internal righteousness that exceeds mere external compliance. Our primary calling is the Great Commission: to live under the authority of the King and to bring others into His discipleship, resting assured that the King is "with you always."

Reflection Questions for Your Journey:

1. Fulfilling the Law. How does Jesus's teaching that He came to fulfill the Law change your view of the Old Testament? How does it challenge you to look beyond surface-level obedience to the condition of your heart?

2. Kingdom Ethics. What is the most challenging demand Jesus makes in the Sermon on the Mount (e.g., radical forgiveness, loving enemies)? How can the authority of the King empower you to live up to that standard?

3. The Great Commission. How are you personally engaging in the task of making disciples? What is one specific way you can intentionally teach another person what Christ has commanded?

Your Reading Guide

To grasp the heart of Kingdom ethics, read the foundational Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3–12. Next, read the establishment of the Church in Matthew 16:13–18. Finally, focus on the ultimate mandate and promise in Matthew 28:18–20 (The Great Commission).