The Gospel of Matthew
Matthew is the first of the four Gospels and the opening book of the New Testament. It tells the story of Jesus from his family line and birth to his death, resurrection and final command to make disciples of all nations, and it presents him as the Messiah promised in Israel’s Scriptures.
The book opens with a genealogy that runs from Abraham through David, and it keeps pausing to say that events happened to fulfill what the prophets had spoken. Readers often note five long blocks of teaching set between the stories, starting with the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus announces the kingdom of heaven, calls disciples, heals the sick and teaches in parables. Then the Gospel turns toward Jerusalem, where the last week of his life unfolds.
Early church tradition names Matthew, the tax collector who became one of the Twelve, as its author. The Gospel itself does not name its writer, and scholars still discuss its date and sources. The Your Bible App study follows Matthew in the order the book unfolds, in short, fun rounds that make it stick.
Key people
Jesus
The son of David and son of Abraham, whom Matthew presents as the promised Messiah and teacher of the kingdom of heaven.
Joseph
Mary’s husband, who follows the angel’s words given in dreams and protects the child.
Mary
The mother of Jesus, found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
John the Baptist
The preacher in the wilderness of Judea who calls people to repent and baptizes Jesus.
Simon Peter
The disciple who confesses Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and later denies him three times.
Pontius Pilate
The Roman governor who hands Jesus over to be crucified.
Themes
The promised Messiah
Matthew shows Jesus as the son of David and the king Israel had been waiting for.
Fulfilled Scripture
Again and again the Gospel links events in Jesus’ life to what the prophets had said.
The kingdom of heaven
Matthew’s usual phrase for God’s reign, announced by Jesus from the start of his ministry.
Following Jesus
The teaching blocks spell out what a disciple’s life looks like, from the Beatitudes to forgiveness.
All nations
The book ends with the risen Jesus sending his disciples to make disciples of all nations.
Key verses
This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
Matthew quiz: sample questions
Matthew's opening chapter quotes a prophecy about a child to be called Immanuel, and then tells the reader what that name means. What meaning does Matthew give?
- God with us
- The anointed one
- King of the Jews
- Son of David
- The Lord saves his people from their sins
Show the answer
Answer: God with us
Why: Matthew quotes the prophecy and then translates the name for his readers, telling them that Immanuel means God with us. The other titles do appear in Matthew, but none of them is offered as the meaning of that name.
“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).
Beside the Sea of Galilee, Jesus speaks to two brothers at their nets and adds a promise about what He will turn them into. According to Matthew 4:19, which of these is that promise?
- He will make them fishers of men
- He will make their offspring as countless as the stars
- He will make them into a great nation
- He will make them shepherds of the flock of God
- He will make them priests to serve at the altar
Show the answer
Answer: He will make them fishers of men
Why: At Matthew 4:19 Jesus tells the two brothers to come after Him and promises to make them fishers of men. The image is drawn straight from the trade they were working at the lakeside.
“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
At Caesarea Philippi, the Gospel of Matthew records a disciple answering the question Jesus puts to the Twelve about who he is, and confessing him as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Whom does Matthew name as speaking that answer?
- Paul the Apostle
- Judas Iscariot, betrayer of Jesus
- John the Baptist
- Simon Peter, the apostle
- Thomas called the Twin, the apostle
Show the answer
Answer: Simon Peter, the apostle
Why: In this scene Simon Peter answers for the disciples and confesses Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. The moment marks the turn in Matthew toward Jerusalem and the announcements of the passion.
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew records how Jerusalem reacted at the moment Jesus arrived there. Which of these does the Gospel report happening?
- The city wall collapsed and fell flat before them
- The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed its setting
- The whole town came out to meet Him and begged Him to leave their region
- The gates were shut and barred until the Sabbath had ended
- The whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
Show the answer
Answer: The whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
Why: Matthew 21:10 reports that when Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The other answers describe events from entirely different passages.
When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The men guarding Jesus were seized with fear by what they witnessed at the cross. Which of these does Matthew say they saw?
- The earthquake and all that had happened
- A bright light from heaven on the road to Damascus
- A star that went ahead of them until it stopped over the place
- A furious storm on the sea that swamped the boat
- Tongues like fire that rested on each of them
Show the answer
Answer: The earthquake and all that had happened
Why: Matthew reports that the guards saw the earthquake and all that had happened, and that this is what frightened them. The other options describe events from entirely different passages.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the Gospel of Matthew about?
It tells the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus, presenting him as the Messiah promised in the Hebrew Scriptures. It is known for the Sermon on the Mount and its closing call to make disciples of all nations.
Who wrote the Gospel of Matthew?
The Gospel does not name its author. Early Christian tradition credits Matthew, the tax collector who became one of the twelve apostles, and scholars continue to discuss its authorship and date.
Why does Matthew begin with a family tree?
The opening genealogy presents Jesus as the son of David and the son of Abraham. It ties him to God’s promises to Israel’s great king and to Israel’s founding father.
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