The Gospel of Matthew

From Church of God Knowledge Encyclopedia
Revision as of 16:08, 25 November 2025 by Jaewoo (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Matthew
AbbreviationMt
Class.New Testament
Category4 Gospels
Chapters28 Chapters
Record Related
WriterMatthew
Date (Approx.)c. AD 60–70
LocationThere are various views such as Alexandria, Syria, and Pella in East Jordan.

Matthew is the first book of the New Testament, written by Matthew, one of the Twelve Apostles. It was originally composed in Hebrew[1] and is one of the Four Gospels—alongside Mark, Luke, and John. Among the Gospels, the book of Matthew is the most extensive, providing a detailed record of Jesus’ teachings, His ministry, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

Writer

The writer of this book is Matthew, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. His original name was Levi, and he worked as a tax collector.[2] In Israel at that time, tax collectors were regarded as traitors, for they collected taxes from their own people to hand over to the Roman Empire. Many also gained wealth dishonestly by demanding more than what was required, causing them to be despised by society.[3] Yet Jesus called Matthew while he was at the tax booth and made him His disciple.[4]

For details, refer to: Matthew

Background

The Gospel of Matthew is believed to have been written primarily for Jews or Jewish Christians. Unlike the Gospel of Mark, which begins with Jesus’ public ministry, Matthew opens with the genealogy of Jesus, tracing His lineage through Abraham and David to establish His rightful place in Jewish history. Throughout the book, Matthew emphasizes that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament, presenting Him as the long-awaited Messiah foretold by the prophets.

Characteristics of the Gospel of Matthew

  • The Gospel of Matthew reflects the writer’s professional background in several ways. Compared with the other three Gospels, Matthew contains a particularly large collection of Jesus’ teachings and lessons, yet the content is arranged with remarkable order and precision. While the events following Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem are presented chronologically, the earlier sections are organized thematically—centering on teachings, miracles, and parables. This structured approach reflects Matthew’s background as a tax collector, a profession that required careful recordkeeping. His occupation also influenced his frequent references to currencies such as the shekel,[5] talent, and denarius,[6] more often than in the other Gospels.
  • The Gospel of Matthew maintains a close connection to the Old Testament. Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is the Messiah who came in fulfillment of the prophecies of the prophets. He frequently quotes Scripture to demonstrate how Jesus’ actions and words fulfilled “what was spoken through the prophet.”[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]
  • Matthew also highlights that Jesus came as a spiritual King.[17][18][19] The genealogy at the beginning of the book demonstrates that Jesus is a descendant of Abraham, the father of faith, and David, the founder of the royal line of Judah. The central theme of Matthew’s Gospel is that Jesus, the King of the Jews and the King of kings, came into the world in accordance with the prophecies of the Old Testament. Although the Gospel of Matthew differs in certain details from Mark and Luke, it shares a common perspective and narrative framework with them. For this reason, it is classified as one of the “Synoptic Gospels.”

Content of the Gospel of Matthew

Chapters Class.
1–2 Birth of Jesus
3–4 Baptism and Temptation
4–18 Ministry in Galilee
19–20 Ministry in Judea
21–25 Entering Jerusalem
26–27 New Covenant Passover and the Crucifixion
28 Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension

Birth of Jesus (Chapters 1–2)

Jesus was born as a descendant of Abraham and David. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary, fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah recorded by the prophet Isaiah.[20] His birth in Bethlehem likewise fulfilled the words of the prophet Micah.[21] Wise men from the East, having discerned the birth of the Savior in the land of Judea, came to Jerusalem to worship Him. When King Herod heard the report that the “King of the Jews” had been born, he sought to kill the child. But Joseph, warned in a dream by an angel of the Lord, fled with Mary and the infant Jesus to Egypt. After Herod’s death, they returned to Israel and settled in the town of Nazareth.

Baptism and Temptation (Chapters 3–4)

The Baptism of Christ, William A. Spicer, Illustration from Our Day in the Light of Prophecy and Providence, 1921

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. At the moment of His baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, and a voice from heaven proclaimed, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Afterward, Jesus fasted for forty days in the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan. The devil tested Him with hunger, challenged Him to test God’s power, and offered Him all the kingdoms and glory of the world in exchange for worship. Yet, Jesus overcame every temptation by responding with the word of God. Following this, Jesus left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum, a town by the Sea of Galilee, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah. There, He began to preach the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. By the Sea of Galilee, Jesus called Peter and his brother Andrew, who were casting their nets, to follow Him. Soon after, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, also responded to His call and became His disciples.

Ministry in Galilee (Chapters 4–18)

Galilee became the central region of Jesus’ public ministry. Most of the twelve disciples were called there, and many of His teachings and miracles were performed throughout that region. Although Jesus also preached the gospel in His hometown of Nazareth, the people there rejected Him because they focused only on His physical background.[22]

  • Jesus taught lessons essential to the spiritual life of believers.[23] Chapters 5–7 of the Gospel of Matthew contain the “Sermon on the Mount,” delivered on a small hill in Galilee.
  • He performed many miracles of healing and provision.[24] Jesus healed the sick, restored the demon-possessed, and comforted the suffering. In Galilee, He performed remarkable miracles such as feeding five thousand people with five loaves and two fish[25] and feeding four thousand with seven loaves and a few fish.[26] He also revealed His divine power to His disciples by walking on the water.[27]
  • Jesus taught the gospel through parables to reveal the mysteries of salvation.[28] Through familiar stories drawn from daily life, He conveyed profound spiritual truths. While some understood the hidden meanings within His parables, many others could not grasp their significance, fulfilling the words of the prophets.

The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.”

Matthew 13:10–11

For details, refer to: Teachings of Jesus Christ, Miracles of Jesus, and Parables by Jesus

Ministry in Judea (Chapters 19–20)

When Jesus left Galilee and came to the region of Judea, across the Jordan River, large crowds followed Him. In this area as well, Jesus continued to teach and share parables, revealing deeper truths of the kingdom of heaven, and He performed miracles.

Entering Jerusalem (Chapters 21–25)

Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a young donkey, fulfilling the prophecy that the King of Zion would come “gentle and riding on a donkey.” [29]

Once in the city, He drove out those who were buying and selling in the temple, cleansing it of corruption and rebuking the hypocrisy of the Sadducees and the Pharisees. During His final days in Jerusalem, Jesus also prophesied the destruction of the city and spoke of His second coming. To reveal the truth about those who would be saved, He taught through several parables, including the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, the Parable of the Talents, and the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.

Passover of the New Covenant and Passion (Chapters 26–27)

The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci, 1495–1498

Two days before the Passover, Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, went to the chief priests and agreed to betray Him for thirty silver coins. From that moment, he sought an opportunity to hand Jesus over. Meanwhile, as Jesus was at the house of Simon the leper in Bethany, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it on His head. Jesus praised her, saying that she had done a beautiful thing for Him and had anointed His body in preparation for His burial.

On the evening of the Passover, Jesus and His disciples gathered in a large upper room that had been prepared for the feast. There, Jesus shared bread and wine with His disciples as the symbols of His body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins.


While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Matthew 26:26–28


After the Passover ceremony, Jesus, knowing that His death was near, went to the Garden of Gethsemane and prayed earnestly, submitting Himself to the will of God. Then Judas arrived with a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders. Acknowledging that these events were to fulfill the words of the prophets, Jesus willingly surrendered Himself to be arrested.

He was questioned throughout the night by the Jewish leaders, then brought before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Although Pilate sought to release Him, he ultimately sentenced Jesus to death under pressure from the crowd. The Roman soldiers scourged Him, dressed Him in a scarlet robe, placed a crown of thorns on His head, and mocked Him—spitting on Him and striking Him with a staff. Then they led Him away to be crucified.

Above the cross was the written charge: “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” At about the ninth hour (around 3 p.m.), Jesus gave up His spirit. At that moment, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (After Jesus’ resurrection, the bodies of many holy people who had died came out of their tombs, went into the holy city, and appeared to many people.) Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man and a follower of Jesus, received permission from Pilate to take Jesus’ body. He wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in his own new tomb.

Jesus’ Resurrection (Chapter 28)

On the third day after His crucifixion, early on Sunday morning, several women went to visit Jesus’ tomb. Suddenly, an angel clothed in white appeared before them and proclaimed that Jesus had risen from the dead. The women hurried to share the news with the disciples. Meanwhile, the guards stationed at the tomb reported what had happened to the chief priests. In response, the chief priests and elders gave the soldiers a large sum of money, instructing them to spread the false story that Jesus’ disciples had stolen His body while they were asleep.

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and commissioned them to preach the gospel to all nations.


“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19–20


See also

References

  1. ↑ Semitic Origins of the Book of Matthew, Jeff A. Benner, Ancient Hebrew Research Center
  2. ↑ "Luke 5:27–28".
  3. ↑ Why Exactly Were Tax Collectors so Hated?, Joel Ryan, Bible Study Tools, October 11, 2023
  4. ↑ "Matthew 9:9".
  5. ↑ "Matthew 17:24, 27".
  6. ↑ "Matthew 18:24, 28".
  7. ↑ "Matthew 1:22".
  8. ↑ "Matthew 2:5".
  9. ↑ "Matthew 2:15".
  10. ↑ "Matthew 2:17".
  11. ↑ "Matthew 2:23".
  12. ↑ "Matthew 3:3".
  13. ↑ "Matthew 4:14".
  14. ↑ "Matthew 12:17".
  15. ↑ "Matthew 13:35".
  16. ↑ "Matthew 21:4".
  17. ↑ "Matthew 2:2".
  18. ↑ "Matthew 21:5".
  19. ↑ "Matthew 27:11".
  20. ↑ "Isaiah 7:14".
  21. ↑ "Micah 5:2".
  22. ↑ "Matthew 13:53–58".
  23. ↑ "Matthew 5:1–7:29".
  24. ↑ "Matthew 8:1–9:34".
  25. ↑ "Matthew 14:13–21".
  26. ↑ "Matthew 15:32–39".
  27. ↑ "Matthew 14:22–33".
  28. ↑ "Matthew 13:1–52".
  29. ↑ "Zechariah 9:9".
Retrieved from "https://churchofgod.wiki/en/en/index.php?title=The_Gospel_of_Matthew&oldid=7632"