40 - Matthew

TLDR: Jesus is the Messiah, Son of David and Son of God — from Bethlehem to the Great Commission. Matthew ties Jesus to Old Testament prophecy and presents the kingdom of heaven, the Sermon on the Mount, and the church.

Overarching Storyline

Birth and Magi (ch. 1–2). John the Baptist; temptation (ch. 3–4). Sermon on the Mount (ch. 5–7). Miracles and mission (ch. 8–10). Parables of the kingdom (ch. 11–13). Peter's confession; transfiguration (ch. 14–17). Community and forgiveness (ch. 18). Jerusalem; controversies (ch. 19–23). Olivet Discourse (ch. 24–25). Passion, resurrection, Great Commission (ch. 26–28).

Bible Project: Matthew overview, Matthew 14-28.

Pegs for Memorizing This Book

• Person: Jesus (King, Teacher), Magi, John the Baptist, Peter.
• Image: Star, mountain (Sermon, Transfiguration), keys of the kingdom, cross.
• Number: 5 (discourses: ch. 5–7, 10, 13, 18, 24–25), 28 (chapters).
• Phrase: "Kingdom of heaven"; "It is written"; "Go and make disciples" (28:19).

Highlights

• Matthew 5–7 — Sermon on the Mount.
• Matthew 16:16 — You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.
• Matthew 28:19–20 — Go and make disciples of all nations; I am with you always.

(Link to verse entries and meditations as added.)

Before and After

• Before: Malachi ends with the promise of a messenger; Matthew opens with the genealogy of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus.
• After: Mark; Matthew is the most Jewish of the Synoptics, full of OT fulfillment.

Place in the Overarching Biblical Story

Messiah and kingdom. Jesus fulfills the law and the prophets; He inaugurates the kingdom and sends the church into the world. The Great Commission (28:19–20) drives the rest of the NT story.

Interesting Facts

• Fulfillment formulas — "So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet" — ties Jesus to OT prophecy.
• Five discourses — Some see a structure echoing the five books of Torah (teaching of the new Moses).