The Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew: Survey of the Scriptures

I. Foundational Overview

Author: Matthew (Levi), the tax collector and Apostle (Matt 9:9).

Audience: Primarily Greek-speaking Jewish Christians.

Primary Point: To prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of David, and the legitimate King who fulfills the Old Testament.

Key Phrase: "That it might be fulfilled" (12x).

Statistical Data: 28 Chapters; 1,071 Verses; 130+ Old Testament references.

II. The Five Discourses (Structural Core)

Matthew is organized around five major teaching blocks, likely mirroring the five books of the Torah.

Discourse 1: The Sermon on the Mount (Ch. 5–7) – The Ethics of the Kingdom.

Discourse 2: The Missionary Charge (Ch. 10) – The Spread of the Kingdom.

Discourse 3: The Parables of the Kingdom (Ch. 13) – The Nature of the Kingdom.

Discourse 4: Church Life/Community (Ch. 18) – Relationships in the Kingdom.

Discourse 5: The Olivet Discourse (Ch. 24–25) – The Future of the Kingdom.

III. The 7 Parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13)

These parables explain the "secrets of the kingdom" and how it operates in the current age.

Parable Narrative Meaning

The Sower Seed on four types of soil. The Gospel’s fruit depends on the heart’s response.

The Weeds Enemy sows weeds among wheat.Believers and unbelievers coexist until the final judgment.

The Mustard Seed A tiny seed grows into a large tree.The Kingdom starts small but grows to immense proportions.

The Leaven Yeast spreads through flour.The Kingdom has an invisible, transformative influence.

Hidden Treasure A man finds treasure in a field.The Kingdom is worth giving up everything to obtain.

The Pearl A merchant finds a pearl of great price.The Kingdom is the ultimate discovery of value.

The Net A dragnet catches every kind of fish.There will be a definitive separation at the end of the age.

IV. Matthew’s Cultural & Religious Glossary

Messiah / Christ: "The Anointed One." The central title Matthew uses to prove Jesus is the promised King.

Pharisees: A religious party known for strict adherence to the written and oral Law.

Sadducees: The wealthy, priestly elite who only accepted the Torah and denied the resurrection.

Scribes: Experts in the Law; the "lawyers" who questioned Jesus’ interpretations.

Synagogue: A local Jewish assembly place for prayer and study.

Sanhedrin: The 70-member supreme council and court of justice in Jerusalem.

Centurion: A Roman military officer; Matthew uses them to show Gentile faith.

The Twelve: The inner circle of disciples representing the "New Israel."

V. The Teacher’s Cheat Sheet: Hard Questions

1. Why is Matthew’s genealogy different from Luke’s?

Matthew traces the legal line through Joseph to prove Jesus’ royal right to David’s throne, whereas Luke likely traces the biological line through Mary.

2. Why does Matthew say "Kingdom of Heaven" while others say "Kingdom of God"?

This is a "circumlocution." To respect Jewish reverence for God’s name, Matthew uses "Heaven" as a substitute. It refers to the same reality.

3. Why are there "Five Discourses"?

This structure presents Jesus as the "New Moses." Just as Moses gave the five books of the Law (Torah), Jesus gives five great blocks of teaching to the New Covenant people.

4. Why does Matthew focus so much on the Old Testament?

His audience needed to know that Jesus was not a "new religion," but the intended completion of the Hebrew Scriptures.

VI. Top 10 Prophetic Fulfillments

Virgin Birth: Isa 7:14 (Matt 1:23)

Bethlehem Birth: Mic 5:2 (Matt 2:6)

Flight to Egypt: Hos 11:1 (Matt 2:15)

The Forerunner: Isa 40:3 (Matt 3:3)

Galilee Ministry: Isa 9:1–2 (Matt 4:15–16)

Healings: Isa 53:4 (Matt 8:17)

Triumphal Entry: Zech 9:9 (Matt 21:5)

Betrayal Price: Zech 11:12–13 (Matt 27:9)

Dividing Clothes: Psa 22:18 (Matt 27:35)

The Resurrection: Jon 1:17 (Matt 12:40)

VII. The Flow of the Gospel

Prologue (1–2): The Arrival of the King.

Preparation (3–4): Baptism and Temptation.

Galilean Ministry (5–18): Teaching and Miracles.

The Journey/Confrontation (19–25): The road to Jerusalem and the Temple.

The Passion/Victory (26–28): Death, Resurrection, and the Great Commission.

Conclusion & Great Commission

Main Point: The King of Israel is the Lord of All Nations.

The Command: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." (Matt 28:19)

The Power: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."

The Promise: "I am with you always, to the end of the age."