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Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of the King: Jesus the Messiah, who fulfills the Scriptures, announces the kingdom of heaven, and sends His disciples to make disciples of all nations.

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28 Chapters

Matthew 1–28

Author

Matthew (Levi), the tax collector

Written

c. A.D. 50 – 85 (debated)

Written For

Likely a Jewish Christian audience

Summary
Title
Author
Date
Outline
Birth
Sermon
Parables
Jerusalem
Cross
Overview

Gospel of Matthew Summary

Matthew opens the New Testament by presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah, the son of David and the son of Abraham (1:1). The Gospel shows again and again that Jesus’ life fulfills the Old Testament, with about a dozen quotations introduced by a phrase such as “this was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet.” It also uses the phrase “the kingdom of heaven” more than any other Gospel.

The book is built around five long sections of Jesus’ teaching, each ending with a similar phrase, such as “when Jesus had finished saying these things” (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). They are the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5–7), the sending out of the Twelve (chapter 10), the parables of the kingdom (chapter 13), life in the community of disciples (chapter 18), and the teaching about Jerusalem and the end of the age (chapters 23–25). Matthew arranges narratives of birth, miracles, and growing opposition around these discourses.

The Gospel ends with the arrest, trial, death and burial of Jesus, and with His resurrection. On a mountain in Galilee, the risen Jesus tells the eleven that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him, and commissions them to go and make disciples of all nations, promising, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (28:18–20).

About the Name

Title

The traditional Greek title is Kata Maththaion, “According to Matthew.” The word “gospel” comes from the Old English godspel, “good news,” which translates the Greek word euangelion. The title is not part of the original text, but it appears in the earliest manuscripts.

Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and the first of the four Gospels. Its position at the beginning reflects its strong links to the Old Testament, which it connects with the story of Jesus.

Who Wrote It

Author Details

The Gospel does not name its author. From the early second century, church writers such as Papias and Irenaeus said it was written by Matthew, also called Levi, the tax collector whom Jesus called to follow Him (Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27) and who became one of the twelve apostles (10:3).

 

When It Was Written

Date of Writing

The date is debated. Those who follow the traditional view that the apostle Matthew wrote it, often with his Gospel written before the others, place it in the A.D. 50s or 60s, before the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 70. Most scholars who think Matthew used Mark place it later, between about A.D. 65 and 85.

The place of writing is not stated. Antioch in Syria, with its large Jewish and Gentile Christian community, is a common suggestion, and Palestine is another. Because of this uncertainty, the quick-facts bar gives a broad range.

Study Guide

Matthew Outline

28 chapters in seven parts. Tap any section to expand it, and tap a verse reference to read it at BibleGateway.

Read Matthew at BibleGateway
Part I

Birth and Preparation of the Messiah

1:1–4:11 · The coming of the King

Read this passage · 1:1–17

Read this passage · 1:18–25

Read this passage · 2:1–12

  1. The flight to Egypt and the massacre of the children at Bethlehem · 2:13–18
  2. The return to Nazareth · 2:19–23

Read this passage · 3:1–12

Read this passage · 3:13–17

Read this passage · 4:1–11

Part II

The Kingdom Proclaimed: The Sermon on the Mount

4:12–7:29 · Jesus begins His ministry

  1. Jesus moves to Capernaum and begins to preach · 4:12–17
  2. Jesus calls the first disciples · 4:18–22
  3. Jesus teaches, preaches and heals · 4:23–25
  1. The Beatitudes · 5:1–12
  2. Salt and light · 5:13–16
  3. Jesus and the law; love for enemies · 5:17–48
  4. Giving, prayer and fasting; the Lord’s Prayer · 6:1–18
  5. Treasure in heaven; do not worry; seek first the kingdom · 6:19–34
  6. Judging others; ask, seek and knock; the narrow gate · 7:1–14
  7. True and false disciples; the wise and foolish builders · 7:15–29
Part III

Miracles and Mission

8:1–10:42 · Authority in word and deed

  1. A man with leprosy · 8:1–4
  2. The centurion’s servant · 8:5–13
  3. Peter’s mother-in-law and many others · 8:14–17

Read this passage · 8:18–22

  1. Jesus calms the storm · 8:23–27
  2. Two demon-possessed men in the region of the Gadarenes · 8:28–34
  3. Jesus forgives and heals a paralyzed man · 9:1–8
  1. Jesus calls Matthew and eats with sinners · 9:9–13
  2. A question about fasting · 9:14–17
  1. Jairus’s daughter and the woman who touched His cloak · 9:18–26
  2. Two blind men and a man who could not speak · 9:27–34

Read this passage · 9:35–38

  1. The Twelve are chosen and given authority · 10:1–4
  2. Instructions for the mission · 10:5–15
  3. Warnings of persecution; do not be afraid · 10:16–33
  4. Not peace but a sword; the cost and rewards of discipleship · 10:34–42
Part IV

Growing Opposition and the Parables of the Kingdom

11:1–13:58 · Responses to Jesus

  1. John’s question and Jesus’ answer · 11:1–6
  2. Jesus speaks about John · 11:7–19

Read this passage · 11:20–24

Read this passage · 11:25–30

  1. Picking grain on the Sabbath · 12:1–8
  2. The man with the shriveled hand · 12:9–14
  3. God’s chosen servant · 12:15–21
  1. The accusation and the strong man · 12:22–30
  2. Blasphemy against the Spirit; a tree and its fruit · 12:31–37

Read this passage · 12:38–45

Read this passage · 12:46–50

  1. The parable of the sower and its explanation · 13:1–23
  2. The weeds, the mustard seed and the yeast · 13:24–35
  3. The weeds explained; the hidden treasure, the pearl and the net · 13:36–52

Read this passage · 13:53–58

Part V

Teaching the Disciples

14:1–18:35 · Peter’s confession and life in the community

Read this passage · 14:1–12

  1. Feeding the five thousand · 14:13–21
  2. Jesus walks on the water; Peter · 14:22–33
  3. Healings at Gennesaret · 14:34–36

Read this passage · 15:1–20

  1. The faith of the Canaanite woman · 15:21–28
  2. Healing and feeding the four thousand · 15:29–39

Read this passage · 16:1–12

  1. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” · 16:13–20
  2. Jesus predicts His death; take up your cross · 16:21–28

Read this passage · 17:1–13

  1. Jesus heals a boy with a demon · 17:14–21
  2. Second prediction of His death; the temple tax · 17:22–27
  1. Who is the greatest; causing others to stumble · 18:1–9
  2. The parable of the lost sheep · 18:10–14
  3. Dealing with a brother who sins · 18:15–20
  4. Forgiveness and the unmerciful servant · 18:21–35
Part VI

The Journey to Jerusalem and Final Teaching

19:1–25:46 · Conflict and warnings

  1. Teaching on marriage and divorce · 19:1–12
  2. Jesus blesses the little children · 19:13–15
  3. The rich young man; rewards for following Jesus · 19:16–30

Read this passage · 20:1–16

  1. Third prediction of His death · 20:17–19
  2. The request of James and John; the Son of Man came to serve · 20:20–28
  3. Two blind men receive their sight · 20:29–34
  1. Jesus enters Jerusalem · 21:1–11
  2. Jesus clears the temple · 21:12–17
  1. The fig tree withers · 21:18–22
  2. The authority of Jesus questioned · 21:23–27
  1. The two sons · 21:28–32
  2. The wicked tenants · 21:33–46
  3. The wedding banquet · 22:1–14
  1. Paying taxes to Caesar · 22:15–22
  2. Marriage and the resurrection · 22:23–33
  3. The greatest commandment · 22:34–40
  4. Whose son is the Messiah? · 22:41–46
  1. Warning against hypocrisy and pride · 23:1–12
  2. The seven woes · 23:13–36
  3. The lament over Jerusalem · 23:37–39
  1. The destruction of the temple and the signs of the age · 24:1–14
  2. The great distress and the coming of the Son of Man · 24:15–31
  3. Keep watch: the unknown day and the faithful servant · 24:32–51
  4. The parable of the ten virgins · 25:1–13
  5. The parable of the talents · 25:14–30
  6. The sheep and the goats · 25:31–46
Part VII

Death and Resurrection

26:1–28:20 · The cross and the Great Commission

  1. The plot to kill Jesus · 26:1–5
  2. Jesus is anointed at Bethany · 26:6–13
  3. Judas agrees to betray Jesus · 26:14–16
  1. The Passover meal and the betrayer · 26:17–25
  2. The Lord’s Supper · 26:26–30
  1. Peter’s denial predicted · 26:31–35
  2. Jesus prays in Gethsemane · 26:36–46
  3. Jesus is arrested · 26:47–56
  1. Before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin · 26:57–68
  2. Peter denies Jesus · 26:69–75
  1. The death of Judas · 27:1–10
  2. Jesus before Pilate; Barabbas · 27:11–26
  1. The soldiers mock Jesus · 27:27–31
  2. The crucifixion · 27:32–44
  3. The death of Jesus and the signs that followed · 27:45–56

Read this passage · 27:57–66

  1. The empty tomb and the risen Jesus · 28:1–10
  2. The guards’ report · 28:11–15

Read this passage · 28:16–20

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