Chapters

Brief Introduction to Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills Old Testament prophecies and expectations. Written primarily for Jewish readers, this carefully structured account shows how Jesus establishes God’s kingdom through His teaching, miracles, and ultimately His death and resurrection. Matthew uniquely emphasizes Jesus’ role as the new Moses, giving authoritative teaching that fulfills and transcends the Law.

Historical Context & Setting

Written likely in the 70s or 80s AD, Matthew addresses a community struggling with the relationship between Judaism and the emerging Christian faith. The destruction of the Jerusalem temple had created a crisis for Jewish identity, and Matthew shows how Jesus’ teaching and ministry provide the true fulfillment of Jewish hopes while extending God’s kingdom to all nations.

Core Messages:

Jesus as Messiah-King

Matthew organizes his material around five major teaching sections, reminiscent of the five books of Moses. Throughout, he demonstrates how Jesus:

• Fulfills Old Testament prophecies
• Gives authoritative interpretation of the Law
• Establishes the kingdom of heaven
• Forms a new community of disciples
• Commissions His followers to make disciples of all nations

Kingdom Teaching

The kingdom of heaven stands as a central theme, with Jesus’ teaching showing both its present reality and future fulfillment. Matthew collects Jesus’ parables and teachings about the kingdom, demonstrating how it operates differently from worldly kingdoms while fulfilling God’s promises to Israel.

Gospel Connection

The gospel message in Matthew emphasizes how Jesus brings God’s saving reign. From His birth as “God with us” to His final commission, Jesus establishes a kingdom that transforms both individual lives and entire communities. Matthew shows how this kingdom, while fulfilling Jewish hopes, extends to all nations.

Practical Application

Matthew’s Gospel provides crucial guidance for discipleship:

The account helps believers understand how Jesus’ teaching shapes both personal life and community practice. His emphasis on discipleship and kingdom living remains foundational for Christian formation. Modern believers learn about:

• Understanding Scripture’s fulfillment in Christ
• Living as kingdom citizens
• Practicing genuine righteousness
• Building Christian community
• Engaging in disciple-making
• Balancing justice and mercy

Did You Know?

• Matthew contains more Old Testament quotations than any other Gospel
• The phrase “kingdom of heaven” appears 32 times
• Five major teaching sections mirror the Pentateuch
• The genealogy organizes Israel’s history into three sets of fourteen
• Jesus is portrayed as greater than Moses
• The Sermon on the Mount presents Jesus’ definitive teaching
• Only Matthew records the visit of the Magi
• The Great Commission concludes the Gospel
• Teaching about the church appears more than in other Gospels
• Unique emphasis on dreams and angelic guidance

Conclusion

Matthew’s Gospel remains essential for understanding Jesus’ role as Messiah and the nature of His kingdom. Its comprehensive presentation of Jesus’ teaching continues to guide believers in authentic discipleship. The account shows how Jesus fulfills God’s promises while establishing a kingdom that encompasses all nations.