Overview
Like all Gospels, the Book of Matthew focuses on the birth, life, and death of Jesus. However, Matthew has a few key passages that aren't present in the other Gospels:
- Many parables and a few miracles
- Sermon on the Mount
- Visit of the Magi
- Temptation of Jesus
Overall, the Book of Matthew presents the works and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, which show that Jesus is the promised Christ, the Son of God, who came to usher in God’s kingdom and save sinners from death and hell.
Author
The disciple Matthew, also known as Levi, wrote this Gospel account. A former tax collector, he was hand-selected by Jesus to be one of the twelve apostles.
Purpose
Matthew focuses on convincing a Jewish audience that Jesus was, indeed, the Son of God who was the Messiah for whom they had been waiting. In the Book of Matthew, you'll often see phrases such as "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has spoken by the prophet" (1:22) followed by a prophecy Jesus directly fulfilled. This connection to the Old Testament, especially the genealogy that traces Jesus' lineage back to Abraham, would have resonated directly with a religious Jewish audience.
Application
As you read this Gospel account, keep the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus at the forefront of your mind—and rejoice that the Holy Spirit worked faith in you! We do not have to resign ourselves to a future hope of a Messiah: He has come, He died for you, and He will come again to make all things new! Alleluia!
Key Verses
Matthew 1:21
She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
Matthew 5:11–12
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 9:12–13
But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 28:18–20
And Jesus came and said to them, “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.”
Dig into Matthew's Gospel with these free downloadable study questions.
