MATTHEW BOOK OVERVIEW
NEW TESTAMENT GOSPEL: MATTHEW‘S ACCOUNT OF JESUS
The Gospel of Matthew is most commonly attributed to Matthew, a Jewish tax collector and disciple of Jesus. Matthew’s detailed narrative of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ focuses on Jesus’ role as the long-awaited Savior, foretold by the Jewish prophets. Because Matthew’s intended audience was the Jewish people who were familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures, this account contains the most Old Testament quotations of the four gospels. Matthew emphasizes that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Law and Prophets, providing evidence that Jesus was the Son of God.
Matthew’s gospel message begins by connecting Jesus to prominent leaders within the Old Testament, including Abraham and David. Similarly, Matthew shows Jesus as the new Moses came to teach and bring a new covenant. Matthew presents Jesus as both the promised King from the line of David and the Son of God dwelling among His people.
MAIN IDEAS: JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD + THE PROMISED SAVIOR
Jesus is greater than Moses, Elijah, David, and anyone else who has come before. (Matthew 1:1, 17:1-5)
God sent Jesus, His beloved son, to die as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. (Matthew 1:21, 3:7)
Using His divine authority for good, Jesus fed crowds and healed many. (Matthew 14:13-21)
After the resurrection, Jesus commissioned His followers to make more disciples. (Matthew 28:16-20)
EXAMPLE OF GOD’S CHARACTER: PROMISE MAKER + KEEPER
Because of God’s promise to send a righteous ruler from the line of Abraham and David, the Jewish people expectantly anticipated the arrival of a Savior. Matthew’s gospel account aims to prove that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promises found throughout the Old Testament - He was the promised Messiah! Matthew makes many references to the Old Testament Law and Prophets in an effort to show how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises.
Matthew explains how Jesus fit the narrative of the Old Testament prophecies, including the virgin conception, the location of Jesus’ birth and ministry, the rejection of Jesus, and His arrest, death, and resurrection. Jesus confirmed Matthew’s claims by stating that he came to fulfill Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). The birth, life, and death of Jesus were all foretold long ago. Because Matthew was familiar with the Scriptures, he could recall the prophecies and make a compelling case for Jesus as the promised Jewish Messiah. God had known the plan to send Jesus all along!
JESUS IN MATTHEW: RULER OF THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM
The Gospel of Matthew has a unique focus on God’s kingdom. Matthew uses the phrase “the kingdom of heaven” more than any other gospel and emphasizes the kingship of Jesus. Because the Jewish people desired a strong military leader to free them from Roman oppression, Jesus was not what they expected. Instead of coming as a strong and powerful leader, He arrived as a humble servant.
Despite His humble nature, Jesus was the ultimate king. Jesus stated that he had been given all authority both in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). His power was far beyond what anyone could imagine or comprehend. His purpose was not to save the Jewish people from Rome, but to save humanity from sin. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus displayed the greatest act of humility: leaving His heavenly throne to suffer and die for humanity.
