The Book of Matthew

• The Gospel of Matthew portrays Jesus Christ as the long-awaited Messiah and King who fulfills the promises of the Old Testament. Written primarily for a Jewish audience, it emphasizes that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy and the true interpreter of God’s law. Beginning with Jesus’ genealogy and miraculous birth, Matthew traces His life through His teachings, miracles, and compassion for the poor and outcast. The heart of the Gospel lies in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches about righteousness, mercy, and the values of God’s kingdom. Despite growing opposition from religious leaders, Jesus continues to reveal His divine authority and predicts His death and resurrection. The Gospel climaxes with His crucifixion and triumphant resurrection, confirming His identity as the Son of God. It concludes with the Great Commission, where the risen Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations, promising to be with them always.

• It was written by “Matthew the son of Alphaeus” (Mark 2:14) between 58-68 A.D. Matthew is referred to as “Levi” in the Gospels of Mark and Luke. He was a tax collector for the Roman government. 

Keys to the Text

• Key Phrase: Jesus is King 
• Key Verses:
  • Matthew 16:15-19 “He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
  • Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
• Key Chapter: Matthew 12
  • In Matthew 12, Jesus faces growing opposition from the Pharisees as He challenges their rigid interpretations of the Law. He defends His disciples for plucking grain on the Sabbath and heals a man’s withered hand, showing that mercy outweighs ritual. The Pharisees accuse Him of using Satan’s power to cast out demons, but Jesus refutes them, warning that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. He teaches that a tree is known by its fruit and that words reveal the heart. When asked for a sign, Jesus points to the “sign of Jonah,” foreshadowing His resurrection. The chapter ends with Jesus redefining true family—not by blood, but by those who do the will of God.

The Christ of Matthew

• Matthew presents Jesus as Israel’s promised Messianic King (1;23, 2:2, 6; 3:17; 4:15-17; 21:5, 9; 22:44, 45; 26:64; 27:11, 27-37)

Survey of Matthew

1. The Presentation of the King (1:1-4:11)
2. The Proclamation of the King (4:12-7:29)
3. The Power of the King (8:1-11:1)
4. The Progressive Rejection of the King (11:2-16:12)
5. The Preparation of the King’s Disciples (16:13-20:28)
6. The Presentation of the King (20:29-27:66)
7. The Proof of the King (28)