Complete Guide to the Gospel of Matthew
Who wrote it, for whom it was written, and what this book teaches about Jesus, the Kingdom of Heaven, and discipleship.
- Identity and calling of Matthew, the tax collector
- Historical context: Jewish Christians under pressure
- Five major discourses of Jesus, 21 parables, and 20 miracles
- Central themes: Kingdom of Heaven, radicalization of the Law, and discipleship
Why study the Gospel of Matthew?
The Gospel of Matthew opens the New Testament and serves as a bridge between the Hebrew Scriptures and the message of Jesus. Written for a community of Jewish Christians living under religious and social tension, it presents Jesus as the promised Messiah, the great Teacher, and the King of the Kingdom of Heaven. Its content ranges from Jesus' genealogy to the Great Commission, including some of the most memorable teachings of the New Testament — such as the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes.
Who was Matthew?
Matthew was a tax collector working under Herod Antipas' administration. The profession made him a despised and discredited figure among Jews of his time: tax collectors were seen as collaborators of the Roman power and often associated with dishonesty.
Jesus' call to Matthew is narrated directly in Matthew 9:9 — Jesus sees him at the tax office and simply says: "Follow me". Matthew's immediate response, leaving his post and income, illustrates the sovereign power of this call. The invitation was not for a life of merit, but of discipleship.
There is a discussion among scholars about whether Matthew is the same person called Levi in the Gospels of Mark and Luke. The sources indicate that this identification is possible, although not conclusive. What is certain is that Matthew appears in the lists of Jesus' twelve apostles, which gives the gospel direct apostolic credibility.
A natural consequence of Matthew's call was a banquet at his house, where Jesus ate with other tax collectors and people considered sinners. When the Pharisees questioned this behavior, Jesus replied: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick" — a statement that summarizes much of the gospel's spirit.
“Going on from there, Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. He said to him, "Follow me." So he got up and followed him.”
Matthew 9:9
Historical context and target community
The Gospel of Matthew was written during the Second Temple Period, at a time of great tension for Jewish Christians. The target community faced persecution and lived through the painful process of rupture between the emerging church and the Jewish synagogue.
This context explains much of the evangelist's choices: Matthew frequently cites Hebrew Scriptures, presents Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecies, and organizes his material to address issues that concerned Jews who had embraced faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
The tension with religious leaders — especially the Pharisees and scribes — runs through the entire book. The Pharisees were a religious and political group known for their strict interpretation of Jewish law. Matthew records direct confrontations between Jesus and these leaders, culminating in the severe "woes" of chapter 23, where Jesus accuses them of closing the Kingdom of Heaven before people with their legalism and hypocrisy.
Writing for a persecuted community also meant offering spiritual support: the gospel presents Jesus as one who knows suffering, calls his followers to a narrow path, and promises to be with them until the end of the age.
Structure and literary characteristics
Matthew is the gospel that most highlights Jesus' discourses. The book is organized around five major teaching blocks, interspersed with action narratives:
- Sermon on the Mount (chaps. 5–7) — the longest and most famous, including the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and the image of the narrow gate.
- Missionary discourse (chap. 10) — instructions to the twelve disciples sent on a mission.
- Parables discourse (chap. 13) — teachings about the Kingdom of Heaven in the form of parables.
- Community discourse (chap. 18) — about relationships within the faith community.
- Eschatological discourse (chaps. 24–25) — about the last days and Jesus' return.
In total, Matthew records 21 of the 40 parables and 20 of the 35 miracles present in the gospels. This concentration of didactic material reflects the author's interest in presenting Jesus as the great Teacher.
Another striking characteristic is the use of poetic and proverbial language. Passages like Matthew 6:19-21 — about accumulating treasures in heaven — seem to be composed in poetic form, with parallels reminiscent of the style of the Book of Proverbs. Jesus used this language to make spiritual truths memorable and accessible.
The five major discourses of Jesus in Matthew
Sermon on the Mount (chaps. 5–7)
Includes the eight Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, teachings on anger, reconciliation, inner purity, and the image of the narrow gate leading to life.
Missionary discourse (chap. 10)
Specific instructions to the twelve apostles sent to preach and heal, with guidance on how to act in the face of rejection.
Parables discourse (chap. 13)
Seven parables about the Kingdom of Heaven, including the sower, the wheat and the weeds, and the buried treasure.
Community discourse (chap. 18)
Teachings on humility, scandal, fraternal discipline, and forgiveness within the faith community.
Eschatological discourse (chaps. 24–25)
About the signs of the last days, the destruction of the Temple, and Jesus' return, with parables about vigilance and faithfulness.
Central theological themes
The Kingdom of Heaven
The most recurring theme in Matthew is the Kingdom of Heaven — an expression used by the evangelist where the other gospels usually say "Kingdom of God." Jesus teaches about this kingdom through parables, instructions on prayer, and guidance for Christian life. The kingdom is presented as a spiritual reality already present in Jesus' ministry, but also as preparation for a future kingdom of glory.
The Radicalization of the Law
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus does not cancel the Law of Moses — he deepens it. The formula repeats: "You have heard that it was said... but I tell you". The prohibition of murder extends to anger and insult (Mt 5:21-26). Purity is not only external, but originates from the heart (Mt 15:10-11). This radicalization invites the reader to an inner transformation, not just the observance of rules.
The Tension with the Pharisees and Scribes
Matthew records the most intense confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders of his time. In chapter 23, Jesus pronounces seven "woes" on the scribes and Pharisees, accusing them of closing the Kingdom of Heaven before people with their legalism and hypocrisy. This tension reflects both Jesus' historical ministry and the situation of the community for which Matthew was writing.
The Call to Discipleship
From beginning to end, Matthew presents Jesus as one who calls ordinary people — like a despised tax collector — to follow him. Discipleship in Matthew is not passive: it requires choices, implies a narrow path, and results in a transformed life. The book ends with the Great Commission (Mt 28:19-20), sending the disciples to make all nations disciples of Jesus.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Matthew 5:3-4
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14
What you need to know about the Gospel of Matthew
- Matthew was a tax collector, a despised figure in Jewish society, directly called by Jesus for discipleship.
- He is possibly the same character called Levi in the gospels of Mark and Luke.
- The gospel was written for persecuted Jewish Christians facing persecution and the break with the synagogue.
- The book is organized around five major speeches of Jesus, including the Sermon on the Mount.
- Matthew records 21 parables and 20 miracles, more than any other gospel.
- The Kingdom of Heaven is the central theme of Jesus' ministry in Matthew.
- Jesus radicalizes the Law: the prohibition of murder extends to anger; purity begins in the heart.
- The tension with the Pharisees and scribes runs through the entire book, culminating in the seven "woes" of chapter 23.
- The gospel ends with the Great Commission: making disciples of all nations.
Frequently asked questions about the Gospel of Matthew
Are Matthew and Levi the same person?
For whom was the Gospel of Matthew written?
What are the Beatitudes?
What does 'Kingdom of Heaven' mean in Matthew?
Why does Jesus criticize the Pharisees so much in Matthew?
Did Jesus abolish the Law of Moses in Matthew?
Do you have more questions about the Gospel of Matthew?
Or start with one of these:
Sources
Only what anyone can open and check for themselves goes on this list.
Matthew 9
Complete biblical text of the chapter
Verse · Mt 9
Matthew 7
Complete biblical text of the chapter — includes the narrow gate
Verse · Mt 7
Matthew 9:9
NVI
“Going on from there, Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. He said to him, "Follow me." So he got up and followed him.”
Verse · Matthew 9:9
Matthew 5:3-4
NVI
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Verse · Matthew 5:3-4
Matthew 7:13-14
NVI
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Verse · Matthew 7:13-14