Book of Matthew Summary: The Gospel of the Kingdom

Book of Matthew Summary: The Gospel of the Kingdom

The Gospels are not four different stories but four different portraits of the same Christ. Like four angles of the same scene, they sometimes overlap, sometimes differ in emphasis, and sometimes include unique material. These differences are not contradictions — they are complementary perspectives that, together, give us the fullest picture of Jesus.

Matthew’s Gospel is distinct in its focus on Jesus as the Messiah who fulfills the Old Testament. Writing to a Jewish audience, Matthew shows again and again that what Jesus said and did was “to fulfill what was spoken by the prophets.” He emphasizes Jesus as King, Teacher, and the embodiment of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Etymology of the Title

• Greek: εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) — “good news.”

• Named after Matthew (Greek Ματθαῖος, Matthaios), also called Levi, the tax collector turned disciple (Matt. 9:9).

• The title “According to Matthew” (Κατὰ Ματθαῖον) is rooted in early church tradition.

Author and Date

Early church writers unanimously connected this Gospel to the apostle Matthew. Papias (c. A.D. 110) stated that “Matthew compiled the sayings of the Lord in the Hebrew dialect, and everyone translated them as he was able.” Irenaeus (c. 180) likewise affirms Matthew as the first to write a Gospel for the Jewish believers. The most common dating is A.D. 60–70, though some place it later. The setting reflects a Jewish-Christian community wrestling with how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.

Distinguishing Features Compared to the Other Gospels

• Written especially for a Jewish audience.

• Contains over 60 direct Old Testament quotations — more than any other Gospel.

• Frequently uses the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” (unique to Matthew).

• Structured around five major teaching blocks (paralleling the five books of Moses).

• Emphasizes Jesus as the New Moses giving the new covenant law.

• Preserves unique material such as the Magi, Peter walking on water, and the sheep and goats judgment.

Movements of the Gospel

1. Genealogy and Birth (Ch. 1–2)

Matthew begins with a genealogy tracing Jesus’ lineage through Abraham and David, emphasizing His identity as the heir of God’s promises. The genealogy differs from Luke’s (Luke 3:23–38), which traces back to Adam, showing Matthew’s interest in presenting Jesus as Israel’s Messiah.

Matthew alone recounts the Magi visiting the Christ child, Herod’s rage and massacre of the infants, and the holy family’s flight into Egypt — unique episodes that highlight both Gentile recognition of the Messiah and opposition from worldly powers.

Key Verse: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (‘God is with us’).” (Matt. 1:23, NLT)

• Parallel: Luke 3:23–38 (genealogy); Luke 1–2 (birth narratives, though with different details).

• Unique to Matthew: Magi, Herod’s massacre, flight into Egypt.

2. Baptism and Temptation (Ch. 3–4)

John the Baptist preaches repentance and prepares the way for the Messiah. Jesus’ baptism is recorded in all four Gospels, but Matthew uniquely includes John’s hesitation, underscoring Jesus’ humility and His fulfillment of righteousness. At His baptism, the Spirit descends and the Father affirms His Sonship.

The temptation narrative follows, with Jesus facing three trials in the wilderness. He resists each by quoting Deuteronomy, showing He is the true Israel who triumphs where Israel failed.

Key Verse: “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” (Matt. 3:17, NLT)

• Parallel: Mark 1:1–13; Luke 3:1–22 (baptism), Luke 4:1–13 (temptation); John 1:19–34.

• Unique to Matthew: John’s reluctance to baptize Jesus (3:14–15).

3. Sermon on the Mount (Ch. 5–7)

Matthew presents Jesus as the New Moses, ascending a mountain to deliver the heart of God’s law. The Sermon on the Mount includes the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Golden Rule. Luke has a shorter version (the Sermon on the Plain, Luke 6), but Matthew’s is fuller, showing Jesus’ authority as teacher and lawgiver.

Key Verse: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matt. 6:33, NLT)

• Parallel: Luke 6:17–49 (shorter version).

• Unique to Matthew: Full structure of the Sermon in three chapters.

4. Miracles and Mission (Ch. 8–10)

Jesus demonstrates His authority by healing the sick, calming storms, casting out demons, and raising the dead. These acts reveal His power over creation, disease, and spiritual darkness. Matthew then records the sending out of the Twelve with instructions for their mission.

Key Verse: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Matt. 9:37–38, NLT)

• Parallel: Mark 1–6; Luke 7–9.

• Unique to Matthew: More extended missionary discourse in chapter 10.

5. Parables of the Kingdom (Ch. 13)

Matthew gathers many of Jesus’ parables into a single teaching block. Some appear in Mark and Luke (the sower, the mustard seed), but Matthew adds unique ones: the weeds among the wheat, the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, and the net. These emphasize the hidden yet growing reality of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Key Verse: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field.” (Matt. 13:44, NLT)

• Parallel: Mark 4:1–34; Luke 8:4–18.

• Unique to Matthew: Weeds, treasure, pearl, net.

6. Peter’s Confession and the Transfiguration (Ch. 16–17)

At Caesarea Philippi, Peter declares: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responds by affirming Peter’s confession and promising to build His church. Soon after, Jesus is transfigured in glory, with Moses and Elijah appearing beside Him.

Key Verse: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:16, NLT)

• Parallel: Mark 8:27–9:13; Luke 9:18–36.

• Unique to Matthew: Jesus’ blessing of Peter and mention of the “church” (16:17–19).

7. Teaching on Forgiveness and the Church (Ch. 18)

Matthew records extended teaching on humility, reconciliation, and forgiveness. Jesus outlines steps for church discipline and emphasizes limitless forgiveness through the parable of the unforgiving servant.

• Parallel: Mark 9:33–50; Luke 17:1–4.

• Unique to Matthew: Church discipline process (18:15–20) and the unforgiving servant parable.

8. Final Week: Entry, Teaching, Judgment (Ch. 21–25)

Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. He cleanses the temple, debates with religious leaders, and delivers parables of judgment. Matthew uniquely preserves the parables of the ten virgins and the sheep and the goats, highlighting readiness and final judgment.

Key Verse: “I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.” (Matt. 25:35, NLT)

• Parallel: Mark 11–13; Luke 19–21; John 12.

• Unique to Matthew: Ten virgins, talents, sheep and goats parables.

9. Passion, Death, and Resurrection (Ch. 26–28)

The passion narrative is shared across the Gospels but with distinctive details. Matthew records Judas’s remorse and death, Pilate’s wife’s dream, and the earthquake at Jesus’ resurrection. He closes with the Great Commission, Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations.

Key Verse: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19, NLT)

• Parallel: Mark 14–16; Luke 22–24; John 13–21.

• Unique to Matthew: Pilate’s wife’s dream, the guard at the tomb, the Great Commission.

Connections to the Old Testament

Matthew explicitly ties Jesus to the Law and the Prophets. He cites Isaiah’s virgin prophecy (1:23), Hosea’s “out of Egypt” (2:15), Jeremiah’s lament (2:18), Micah’s Bethlehem prophecy (2:6), and Zechariah’s King on a donkey (21:5). He presents Jesus as the New Moses, giving five great discourses just as Moses gave the five books of the Law.

Difficult and Shocking Passages

• The radical demands of the Sermon on the Mount (cutting off a hand, loving enemies).

• Jesus’ strict words on divorce (19:9).

• The woes against the Pharisees (ch. 23).

• The apocalyptic discourse (ch. 24) often misused for speculative end-times predictions.

Common Misreadings

• “Do not judge” (7:1): Used to forbid discernment, but context calls for righteous judgment.

• “One taken, one left” (24:40–41): Misread as rapture teaching; context (Noah) shows the taken are judged.

• “Seek first the Kingdom” (6:33): Reduced to a prosperity slogan, rather than a call to radical trust.

Key Themes / Theology

• Jesus as Messiah and fulfillment of the Old Testament.

• The Kingdom of Heaven as both present and future.

• Discipleship as obedience and righteousness from the heart.

• Mission to all nations.

• The authority of Jesus as Teacher and King.

Application

Matthew challenges readers to recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah and to live as citizens of His Kingdom. His Gospel calls for obedience from the heart, a life of mercy and forgiveness, and a readiness for Christ’s return. Above all, it calls the church to make disciples of all nations, trusting that Christ is with His people always.

Conclusion

Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s hopes and the King of the Kingdom of Heaven. It highlights His teaching, His authority, His sacrifice, and His resurrection. Alongside the other Gospels, it gives us a unique portrait: Jesus as the New Moses, the promised Messiah, and the risen Lord who sends His followers to the nations.

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20, NLT)