Book introductions contain charts, maps and timelines that are best seen on the scanned pages: p. 1530, p. 1531, p. 1532.
page 1530
Herod
the Great
begins
to rule
37 B.C.
VITAL STATISTICS
PURPOSE:
To prove that Jesus is the Messiah,
the eternal King
AUTHOR:
Matthew (Levi)
ORIGINAL AUDIENCE:
Matthew wrote especially
to the Jews.
DATE WRITTEN:
Approximately A.D. 60-65
SETTING:
Matthew was a Jewish tax collector
who became one of Jesus’ disciples.
This Gospel forms the connecting
link between the Old and New Testa-
ments because of its emphasis on
the fulfillment of prophecy.
KEY VERSE:
“Don’t misunderstand why I have
come. I did not come to abolish the
law of Moses or the writings of the
prophets. No, I came to accomplish
their purpose” (5:17).
KEY PEOPLE:
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, John the
Baptist, the disciples, the religious
leaders, Caiaphas, Pilate, Mary
Magdalene
KEY PLACES:
Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Capernaum,
Galilee, Judea
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Matthew is filled with messianic
language (“Son of David” is used
throughout) and Old Testament
references (53 quotes and 76 other
references). This Gospel was not
written as a chronological account;
its purpose was to present the clear
evidence that Jesus is the Messiah,
the Savior.
Jesus
is born
6/5 B.C.
Escape
to Egypt
5/4 B.C.
Herod Return to
the Great Nazareth
dies 4/3 B.C.
4B.
Judea
becomes
a Roman
province
A.D. 6
Jesus
visits
Temple
as a boy
6/7
AS the motorcade slowly winds through the
city, thousands pack the sidewalks hoping to
catch a glimpse. Marching bands with great
fanfare announce the arrival, and protective
agents scan the crowd and run alongside
the limousine. Pomp, ceremony, protocol—
modern symbols of position and evidences
of importance—herald the arrival of a head
of state. Whether they are leaders by birth or
election, we honor and respect them. The Jews waited for a leader who had been promised centuries before by prophets. They believed that this leader—the Messiah (“anointed one”)}—would rescue them from their Roman oppressors and establish a new kingdom. As their king, he would rule the world with justice. Many Jews, however, overlooked prophecies that also spoke of this king as a suffering servant who would be rejected and killed. It is no wonder, then, that few recognized Jesus as the Messiah. How could this humble carpenter’s son from Nazareth be their king? But Jesus was and is the King of all the earth! Matthew (Levi) was one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. Once he was a despised tax collector, but his life was changed by this man from Galilee. Matthew wrote this Gospel to his fellow Jews to prove that Jesus is the Messiah and to explain God’s Kingdom. Matthew begins his account by giving Jesus’ genealogy. He then tells of Jesus’ birth and early years, including the family’s escape to Egypt from the murderous Herod and their return to Nazareth. Following Jesus’ baptism by John (3:16, 17) and his defeat of Satan in the wilderness, Jesus began his public ministry by calling his first disciples and giving the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5—7). Matthew shows Christ's authority by reporting his miracles of healing the sick and the demon-possessed, and even raising the dead.
Despite opposition from the Pharisees and others in the religious establishment (chapters 12—15), Jesus continued to teach concerning the Kingdom of Heaven (chapters 16—20). During this time, Jesus spoke with his disciples about his imminent death and resurrection (16:21) and revealed his true identity to Peter, James, and John (17:1-5). Near the end of his ministry, Jesus entered Jerusalem in a triumphant procession (21:1-11). But soon opposition mounted, and Jesus knew that his death was near. So he taught his disciples about the future— what they could expect before his return (chapter 24) and how to live untit then (chapter 25).
In Matthew's finale (chapters 26—28), he focuses on Jesus’ final days on earth—the Last Supper, his prayer in Gethsemane, the betrayal by Judas, the flight of the disciples, Peter's denial, the trials before Caiaphas and Pilate, Jesus’ final words on the cross, and his burial in a borrowed tomb. But the story does not end there, for the Messiah rose from the dead—conquering death and then telling his followers to continue his work by making disciples in all nations.
As you read this Gospel, listen to Matthew's clear message: Jesus is the Christ, the King of kings and LORD of lords. Celebrate his victory over evil and death, and make Jesus the LORD of your life.
page 1531
Tiberius
Caesar
becomes
emperor
14
THE BLUEPRINT
A. BIRTH AND PREPARATION
OF JESUS, THE KING
(1:1—4:11)
B. MESSAGE AND MINISTRY OF
JESUS, THE KING (4:12—25:46)
4. Jesus begins his ministry
2. Jesus gives the Sermon on the Mount
3. Jesus performs many miracles
4. Jesus teaches about the Kingdom
5, Jesus encounters differing reactions
to his ministry
6. Jesus faces conflict with the
religious leaders
7. Jesus teaches on the Mount of Olives
C. DEATH AND RESURRECTION
OF JESUS, THE KING
(26:1—28:20)
Pontius
Pilate
appointed
governor
26
Jesus
begins
his
ministry
26/27
Jesus
chooses
twelve
disciples
28
Jesus
feeds
§,000
29
Jesus is
crucified,
rises again,
and ascends
30
The people of israel were waiting for the Messiah, their king. Matthew begins his book by showing how Jesus Christ was a descendant of David. But Matthew goes on to show that God did not send Jesus to be an earthly king but a heavenly King. His Kingdom would be much greater than David’s because it would never end. Even at Jesus’ birth, many recognized him as a King. Herod, the ruler, as well as Satan, was afraid of Jesus’ kingship and tried to stop him, but others worshiped him and brought royal gifts. We must be willing to recognize Jesus for who he really is and worship him as King of our fife. Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, directions for living in his Kingdom. He also told many parables about the difference between his Kingdom and the kingdoms of earth. Forgiveness, peace, and putting others first are some of the characteristics that make one great in the Kingdom of God. And to be great in God’s Kingdom, we must live by God’s standards right now. Jesus came to show us how to live as faithful subjects in his Kingdom.
Jesus was formally presented to the nation of Israel but was rejected. How strange for the King to be accused, arrested, and crucified. But Jesus demonstrated his power, even over death, through his resurrection and gained access for us into his Kingdom. With all this evidence that Jesus is God’s Son, we, too, should accept him as our LORD.
MEGATHEMES
THEME
Jesus Christ,
the King
The Messiah
Kingdom of God
EXPLANATION
Jesus is revealed as the King of kings. His
miraculous birth, his life and teaching, his
miracles, and his triumph over death show
his true identity.
Jesus was the Messiah, the one for whom
the Jews had waited to deliver them from
Roman oppression. Yet, tragically, they
didn’t recognize him when he came
because his kingship was not what they
expected. The true purpose of God's
anointed deliverer was to die for all people
to free them from sin’s oppression.
Jesus came to earth to begin his Kingdom.
His full Kingdom will be realized at his
return and will be made up of anyone who
has faithfully followed him.
IMPORTANCE
Jesus cannot be equated with any person
or power. He is the supreme ruler of time
and eternity, heaven and earth, humans and
angels. We should give him his rightful
place as King of our tives.
Because Jesus was sent by God, we can
trust him with our tives. It is worth every-
thing we have to acknowledge him and give
ourselves to him, because he came to be our
Messiah, our Savior.
The way to enter God’s Kingdom is by
faith-—believing in Christ to save us from
sin and change our lives. We must do the
work of his Kingdom now to be prepared
for his return.
page 1532
MATTHEW 1532
Teachings
Resurrection
Jesus taught the people through sermons,
illustrations, and parables. Through his
teachings, he showed the true ingredients
of faith and how to guard against a fruitless
and hypocritical life.
When Jesus rose from the dead, he rose in
power as the true King. In his victory over
death, he established his credentials as
King and his power and authority over evil.
Jesus’ teachings show us how to prepare
for life in his eternal Kingdom by living
properly right now. He lived what he taught,
and we, too, must practice what we preach.
The Resurrection shows Jesus’ all-powerful
life for us—not even death could stop his
plan of offering eternal life. Those who
believe in Jesus can hope for a resurrection
like his. Our role is to tell his story to all
the earth so that everyone may share in his
victory.
KEY PLACES
IN MATTHEW
Jesus’ earthly story begins in the town
of Bethlehem in the Roman province
of Judea (2:1). A threat to kill the infant
king led Joseph to take his family to
Egypt (2:14). When they returned, God
led them to settle in Nazareth in Galilee
(2:22, 23). At about age 30, Jesus was
baptized in the Jordan River and was
tempted by Satan in the Judean wilder-
ness (3:13; 4:1). Jesus set up his base
of operations in Capernaum (4:12, 13)
and from there ministered throughout
Israel, telling parables, teaching about
the Kingdom, and healing the sick.
He traveled to the region of the Gada-
renes around Gadara and healed two
demon-possessed men (8:28ff); fed
over 5,000 people with five loaves and
two fish on the shores of Galilee near
Bethsaida (14:15ff); healed the sick
in Gennesaret (14:34ff); ministered
to the Gentiles in Tyre and Sidon
(15:21ff); visited Caesarea Philippi,
where Peter declared him to be the
Messiah (16:13ff); and taught in Perea,
east of the Jordan (19:1). As he set out
on his last visit to Jerusalem, he told
the disciples what would happen to him
there (20:17ff). He spent some time
in Jericho (20:29) and then stayed in
Bethany at night as he went back and
forth to Jerusalem during his last week
(21:17ff). In Jerusalem he would be
crucified, but he would rise again.
tea Philippi
TRACONITIS.
Mediterranean
Sea
JORDAN The broken lines (—-—-) indicate modern boundaries.
