The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament. It presents Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah and King of Israel, with a strong emphasis on fulfilled prophecy and the Kingdom of Heaven.
¶ Authorship and Date
The Gospel of Matthew was written by Matthew (also called Levi), one of the twelve apostles and a former tax collector. Early church tradition strongly supports Matthean authorship. Most scholars believe it was written between A.D. 50 and 70, likely in the 60s.
¶ Purpose and Theme
Matthew wrote primarily to a Jewish audience to demonstrate that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah who fulfills Old Testament prophecy. His central theme is that Jesus is the King and that the Kingdom of Heaven has come in the person of Christ.
The book is carefully structured to show Jesus as:
- The fulfillment of prophecy
- The rightful heir to David’s throne
- The authoritative Teacher and King
- Strong emphasis on fulfilled prophecy (more than any other Gospel).
- Focus on Jesus as King and the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Contains five major teaching discourses (including the Sermon on the Mount).
- Highlights Jesus’ authority over disease, nature, demons, sin, and death.
- Records more of Jesus’ parables and teachings than Mark or Luke in some sections.
- Ends with the Great Commission.
Matthew is carefully organized around five major blocks of teaching:
- Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5–7) — The constitution of the Kingdom.
- Mission Discourse (Chapter 10) — Instructions for the disciples.
- Parables of the Kingdom (Chapter 13) — Mysteries of the Kingdom.
- Community Life (Chapter 18) — Relationships within the Kingdom.
- Olivet Discourse (Chapters 24–25) — Prophecy about the future.
These are interspersed with narrative sections showing Jesus’ authority and ministry.
- Jesus as the Messiah and Son of David
- The Kingdom of Heaven (mentioned over 30 times)
- Fulfilled prophecy (“that it might be fulfilled”)
- Righteousness and the law
- Discipleship and following Jesus
- Judgment and the end times
- The Great Commission
- Genealogy of Jesus (Chapter 1) — Traces His legal right to David’s throne.
- Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5–7) — One of the most important ethical teachings in the Bible.
- Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
- Parables (especially in chapter 13)
- Peter’s Confession (Matthew 16:13-20)
- Olivet Discourse (Chapters 24–25) — Jesus’ teaching on the end times.
- Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)
- Matthew 1:21 — And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
- Matthew 5:17 — Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
- Matthew 16:16 — Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
- Matthew 28:18-20 — And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
- Kingdom of God
- Messiah
- Prophecy
- The Sermon on the Mount
- The Great Commission
- The Olivet Discourse
- Gospel
The Gospel of Matthew is especially valuable because it:
- Clearly presents Jesus as the promised King and Messiah.
- Contains the most extensive record of Jesus’ teaching, especially the Sermon on the Mount.
- Helps believers understand prophecy and how Jesus fulfilled it.
- Gives practical instruction on discipleship and kingdom living.
- Ends with the Great Commission, which remains the Church’s mission today.
Matthew’s Gospel is an excellent place to begin studying the life and teachings of Jesus, especially for understanding His identity as the King who came to establish His Kingdom.