Matthew, also called Levi, an apostle and former tax collector (according to tradition). Written: Probably between AD 50 and 70, before the destruction of the temple

Gospels · New Testament · 28 chapters

The book of Matthew

Jesus, the King promised to Israel

Author: Matthew, also called Levi, an apostle and former tax collector (according to tradition)
Written: Probably between AD 50 and 70, before the destruction of the temple
Time covered: From the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, under Herod the Great (about 6–4 BC), to his resurrection and the Great Commission (about AD 30–33)
Key word: Kingdom

Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King. His genealogy goes back to David and Abraham; his birth fulfills the prophets and draws magi from the East (1-2). After his baptism and temptation, he proclaims the kingdom of heaven (3-4). The Gospel alternates narrative with five great discourses: the Sermon on the Mount (5-7), the sending of the Twelve (10), the parables of the kingdom (13), life in the community (18) and the discourse on the end times (24-25). Rejected by Israel’s leaders, confessed by Peter as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (16:16), he enters Jerusalem, is crucified and rises again. At last he sends his disciples to all nations (28:19-20).

Main theme

Jesus is the Messiah, son of David and son of Abraham, who fulfills the Scriptures, teaches the righteousness of the kingdom of heaven with authority, and sends his disciples to make disciples of all nations.

Outline

Matthew 1-4 — The King presented
Genealogy, birth, the magi, the ministry of John the Baptist, baptism, temptation and the first disciples.
Matthew 5-10 — The King teaches and acts
The Sermon on the Mount, a series of miracles in Galilee, then the sending of the Twelve to the lost sheep of Israel.
Matthew 11-18 — The King opposed
Opposition grows; Jesus speaks in parables, feeds the crowds, receives Peter’s confession and announces his death.
Matthew 19-25 — The King in Jerusalem
The journey up to Jerusalem, the royal entry, the controversies in the temple, the woes against the Pharisees and the discourse on the end times.
Matthew 26-28 — The King crucified and risen
The last Passover, the arrest, the crucifixion, the resurrection and the Great Commission.

Key points

The genealogy, in three sets of fourteen generations, ties Jesus to David and Abraham and names, besides Mary, four women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and “her that had been the wife of Urias” (1:1-17).
One formula keeps returning: “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet”; Jesus fulfills the Scriptures (1:22; 2:15; 4:14; 21:4).
Five great discourses give the book its structure, each closed by a formula such as “When Jesus had finished these sayings…” (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1).
Matthew speaks of the “kingdom of heaven,” an expression no other New Testament book uses, and his is the only Gospel to use the word “church” (16:18; 18:17).
Jesus does not abolish the law: he fulfills it and reveals its deepest intention through his “But I say unto you” (5:17-48).
Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi marks a turning point: from then on, Jesus announces his cross (16:16-21).
Episodes unique to Matthew: the magi, the flight into Egypt, Peter walking on the water, the stater in the fish, Pilate washing his hands, the guard at the tomb (2; 14:29; 17:27; 27:24, 62-66).
The first to worship Jesus are Gentile magi from the East, and the book ends with the command to make disciples of all nations (2:1-11; 28:19).

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21 — The name Jesus sums up his mission: to save his people from their sins.

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Matthew 5:17 — The key to Jesus’ relationship to the Old Testament: he comes to fulfill, not to abolish.

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:16–18 — Peter’s confession and the first mention of the church built by the Christ.

Jesus in Matthew

Matthew presents Jesus as the promised Messiah-King: son of David by descent, born in Bethlehem, entering Jerusalem on a colt, crucified beneath the inscription “the King of the Jews” (2:6; 21:5; 27:37). He is also the new Moses who gives the law on the mountain and the Servant who gives his life as a ransom (5:1; 20:28). The book opens with “Emmanuel, God with us” and closes with his promise: “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (1:23; 28:20).

Did you know?

The phrase “kingdom of heaven” appears more than thirty times in Matthew and is found nowhere else in the New Testament.
Matthew is the only one of the four Gospels to use the word “church” (16:18; 18:17).
Mark and Luke call the tax collector Levi (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27); only this Gospel names him Matthew at the moment of his call (9:9).

Quiz on Matthew

What does the name “Emmanuel,” given to Jesus, mean?

What gifts do the magi offer the young child?

How is Matthew described in the list of the twelve apostles in his own Gospel?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.