Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew
It is no accident that Matthew opens the New Testament. His Gospel serves as the hinge between the Old and New Testaments, bridging the promises of the prophets with the fulfillment in Christ. Matthew provides a “mini-Bible” sweep of God’s plan of the ages—from Genesis to Revelation—showing that to misunderstand Jesus as the Messiah in Matthew is to miss the larger story of God’s unfolding plan.
Matthew quotes or alludes to Old Testament prophecies nearly sixty times, more than any other Gospel writer. His constant refrain, “this was to fulfill what was spoken”, ties Jesus’ life directly to God’s promises in the Hebrew Scriptures. But Matthew does not only look backward. He also looks forward, presenting Jesus’ future kingdom, the mission of the church, and the hope of ultimate restoration. Matthew is the essential link: without it, neither Testament is easily understood.
Why Four Gospels?
Matthew is not the only Gospel account, but together with Mark, Luke, and John, he contributes to a fuller portrait of Jesus. Just as a symphony weaves together multiple melodies, the four Gospels blend diverse perspectives into a harmonious whole. Matthew emphasizes Jesus as King, Mark highlights Him as Servant, Luke portrays Him as the Son of Man, and John presents Him as the Son of God. Each writer’s audience shaped his emphasis: Matthew wrote to Jews, Mark to Romans, Luke to Greeks, and John to all people.
Matthew’s Distinctives
Matthew was a Jew writing primarily to the Jewish nation, roughly thirty years after Jesus’ ministry. His audience had pressing questions: If Jesus was truly the Messiah, how could He have been crucified? If He was the “King of the Jews,” what happened to His kingdom? Matthew answered with Scripture, demonstrating that Jesus of Nazareth was the long-expected Messiah-King foretold in the Old Testament.
Matthew’s genealogy established Jesus as the rightful heir to David’s throne through His guardian father Joseph. Then, in a carefully arranged narrative, Matthew grouped Jesus’ teachings and miracles thematically to paint a comprehensive picture of Jesus’ authority and identity. The Gospel was not just a biography—it was a case for kingship.
The Author: From Tax Collector to Disciple
Matthew, also called Levi, had once been a despised tax collector working for Rome. Seen as a traitor to his people, his social standing was even lower than a Gentile’s. Yet Jesus called him to follow (Matthew 9:9–13), transforming his life. With his attention to detail and record-keeping skills, Matthew likely served as the “journalist” of the disciples, recording teachings and events that would later form the backbone of his Gospel. Writing in the A.D. 50s or 60s, Matthew blended his meticulous nature with a deep love for the Old Testament to present Jesus as the promised King.
Matthew’s Readers and Message
Although written to Jewish believers, Matthew’s Gospel was intended for the entire church. His goal was to prove that Jesus is both the sovereign Son of David and the sacrificial Son of Abraham, the King who reigns and the Lamb who redeems. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” (used 32 times) and “kingdom of God” (used 4 times) form the backbone of his message. Jesus’ words and works reveal His royal authority and call His followers into His kingdom mission.
If one verse captures Matthew’s message, it is the inscription placed above Jesus’ cross: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37). The King rejected by men is the true heir to God’s promises, the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant (blessing all nations) and the Davidic covenant (an eternal King).
The Structure of Matthew
Matthew’s Gospel is neatly framed. The opening four chapters introduce Jesus’ royal lineage, birth, and early ministry. The closing three chapters (26–28) narrate His death and resurrection, the climax of His mission. Between these bookends lie chapters 5–25, structured around five major discourses:
- The Sermon on the Mount (5–7) – the constitution of the kingdom.
- The Commission of the Twelve (10) – instructions for kingdom messengers.
- The Parables of the Kingdom (13) – revealing the mysteries of the kingdom.
- Teaching on the Church (18) – life together as kingdom citizens.
- The Olivet Discourse (24–25) – the future of the kingdom.
This five-fold structure echoes the five books of Moses, underscoring that Jesus is the ultimate Teacher and fulfiller of the Law.
The Historical Setting
Matthew wrote during a turbulent time in Jewish history. For four centuries after Malachi, God had been silent. Empires rose and fell: Persia gave way to Greece, and Rome eventually ruled Israel with an iron hand. The Jews longed for freedom and for God’s promised kingdom. Synagogues had become the center of worship and teaching, led by Pharisees and Sadducees, who held clashing visions of religion and politics. By the time Jesus was born under the paranoid reign of Herod the Great, Israel was spiritually hungry, politically oppressed, and longing for God’s Messiah. Into this world, Matthew declared: The King has come.
The Kingdom of God
At the heart of Matthew’s Gospel is the kingdom of God—God’s sovereign rule over all creation. From eternity past, God reigned in absolute authority, but rebellion in heaven and on earth (through Satan and human sin) introduced a rival “kingdom of darkness.” The Bible tells the story of how God will defeat this rebellion, redeem His people, and reclaim His creation. Matthew shows us that Jesus is the King who accomplishes both: the Son of Abraham who redeems sinners through sacrifice, and the Son of David who will reign over the restored kingdom.
Covenants Fulfilled in Christ
Matthew highlights God’s two great Old Testament covenants:
- The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12–17): through Abraham’s seed all nations would be blessed.
- The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7): a son of David would reign forever.
Jesus is the only one who fulfills both: the sacrificial Son of Abraham and the sovereign Son of David. This is why Matthew begins with the genealogy, “Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (1:1).
Matthew’s Central Message
Matthew’s Gospel is about paradise regained. In His first coming, Jesus came as the sacrificial Son of Abraham, dying to redeem His people. In His second coming, He will return as the sovereign Son of David, ruling over a restored creation. Until then, His disciples are called to live under His kingship, proclaim His message, and await His return.
In short, Matthew proclaims: Jesus is the Messiah, the King of heaven and earth, who redeems His people and restores God’s kingdom.
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