Book Study: Matthew

Book Overview

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and inaugurating the Kingdom of Heaven. Written primarily for a Jewish audience, it begins with Jesus’ genealogy and birth, followed by His baptism, temptation, and public ministry. Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ teachings giving them in five distinct sections. His teaching, miracles, parables, and confrontations with religious leaders build toward His crucifixion and resurrection, revealing Jesus as both suffering servant and victorious King. The book ends with the Great Commission, calling disciples to spread His message to all nations.

Brief Chapter Summaries

Matthew 1

Matthew begins by tracing Jesus’ genealogy from Abraham to David and then to Joseph. He explains the miraculous conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit and Joseph’s obedience to God’s command to take Mary as his wife. The chapter establishes Jesus as the promised Messiah.

Matthew 2

Wise men from the east follow a star to worship Jesus, but King Herod plots to kill Him. Joseph is warned in a dream and flees with his family to Egypt. After Herod’s death, they return and settle in Nazareth, fulfilling multiple prophecies.

Matthew 3

John the Baptist appears in the wilderness preaching repentance and preparing the way for the Messiah. Jesus comes to be baptized, and as He rises from the water, the Spirit descends on Him and the Father declares Him His beloved Son.

Matthew 4

Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness but resists every temptation with Scripture. He begins His public ministry in Galilee, proclaiming the kingdom of heaven. Jesus calls His first disciples and demonstrates His authority through teaching and healing.

Matthew 5

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount by teaching the Beatitudes and describing the character of kingdom citizens. He calls His followers to be salt and light and deepens the meaning of the Law by addressing anger, lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love for enemies.

Matthew 6

Jesus teaches about practicing righteousness in secret, emphasizing giving, prayer, and fasting. He provides the Lord’s Prayer as a model. He warns against storing earthly treasures and urges His followers to trust God rather than worry about material needs.

Matthew 7

Jesus warns against hypocritical judgment, encourages persistent prayer, and teaches the Golden Rule. He contrasts true and false disciples, true and false prophets, and wise versus foolish builders, emphasizing obedience to His words as the foundation of a faithful life.

Matthew 8

Jesus demonstrates His authority through a series of miracles, including healing a leper, calming a storm, and casting out demons. His power over disease, nature, and the spiritual realm reveals His divine identity and compassion.

Matthew 9

Jesus continues healing and forgiving sins, calling Matthew to follow Him and teaching about mercy. He raises a girl from the dead, heals the sick, and has compassion on the crowds, describing them as sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 10

Jesus commissions the twelve apostles, giving them authority to heal and preach. He warns them of persecution but assures them of God’s care. He calls them to boldness, loyalty, and sacrificial commitment as they carry out their mission.

Matthew 11

Jesus affirms John the Baptist’s role and rebukes unrepentant cities. He invites the weary and burdened to come to Him for rest, revealing His gentle and humble heart.

Matthew 12

Jesus confronts the Pharisees over Sabbath controversies and exposes their hardness of heart. He teaches about true obedience, spiritual fruit, and the danger of rejecting God’s work. He identifies His true family as those who do God’s will.

Matthew 13

Jesus teaches parables about the kingdom of heaven, including the sower, weeds, mustard seed, and hidden treasure. He explains that the kingdom grows quietly yet powerfully and that final judgment will separate the righteous from the wicked.

Matthew 14

John the Baptist is executed by Herod. Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish, demonstrating divine provision. Later, He walks on water and rescues Peter, revealing His authority and inspiring worship.

Matthew 15

Jesus challenges the Pharisees’ traditions and teaches that true defilement comes from the heart. He responds to a Gentile woman’s persistent faith and heals many, culminating in feeding four thousand people.

Matthew 16

Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, and Jesus reveals that He will build His church. Jesus predicts His suffering and death and calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him.

Matthew 17

Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John, revealing His divine glory. He heals a demon possessed boy and teaches about faith, humility, and His coming death and resurrection.

Matthew 18

Jesus teaches about humility, warning against causing others to stumble. He emphasizes pursuing the wandering believer, resolving conflict within the church, and practicing radical forgiveness.

Matthew 19

Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce, blesses children, and challenges a rich young ruler about the cost of discipleship. He explains that entering the kingdom requires wholehearted surrender.

Matthew 20

Jesus teaches the parable of the workers in the vineyard, highlighting God’s generosity. He predicts His death again and instructs His disciples that true greatness comes through servanthood.

Matthew 21

Jesus enters Jerusalem as the humble King, cleanses the temple, and confronts religious leaders. Through parables and miracles, He exposes their unbelief and asserts His authority.

Matthew 22

Jesus teaches through parables and answers challenges from religious leaders. He summarizes the Law with the commands to love God and neighbor and reveals His identity through Scripture.

Matthew 23

Jesus pronounces woes on the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and spiritual blindness. He laments over Jerusalem’s rejection of God’s messengers and foretells its coming judgment.

Matthew 24

Jesus teaches about the end times, warning of deception, persecution, and tribulation. He describes His future return and urges His followers to remain watchful and faithful.

Matthew 25

Jesus teaches parables about readiness and judgment, including the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and goats. He emphasizes faithful stewardship and compassionate action.

Matthew 26

Jesus is anointed at Bethany, celebrates the Last Supper, and prays in Gethsemane. He is betrayed by Judas, arrested, and tried before the Sanhedrin while Peter denies Him.

Matthew 27

Jesus is condemned by Pilate, mocked, and crucified. He dies, the temple veil is torn, and He is buried in a guarded tomb. Even the centurion recognizes Him as the Son of God.

Matthew 28

Jesus rises from the dead and appears to His disciples. He commissions them to make disciples of all nations, promising His presence until the end of the age.

Key Verses

Matthew 1:23

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Matthew 3:17

“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 4:19

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 5:14–16

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.”

Matthew 7:7

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

Matthew 7:21

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 9:13

“I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Matthew 11:5

“The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”

Matthew 11:28–30

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”

Matthew 16:24

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Matthew 18:20

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Matthew 19:26

“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 22:37–39

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Matthew 24:35

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

Matthew 26:41

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 27:54

“Truly this was the Son of God.”

Matthew 28:18–20

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

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