The Gospel of Matthew
Jesus presented to a Jewish audience as the promised King who fulfills the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew, the former tax collector turned apostle, wrote this Gospel primarily for a Jewish audience, opening with a genealogy that ties Jesus to both Abraham and David. Across 28 chapters he quotes the Old Testament more than any other Gospel writer, building his case that Jesus is the long-promised Messiah-King. Start at Matthew chapter 1.
About Matthew
Matthew is the fortieth book of the Bible and the first Gospel, written by the apostle Matthew (also called Levi, the former tax collector) around AD 50-70 and spanning 28 chapters. Matthew's Gospel was written primarily for a Jewish audience, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the long-awaited Messiah, the new Moses and David. It opens with a genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage from Abraham through David and contains more quotations from the Old Testament than any other Gospel. Major themes include the Kingdom of Heaven, the teachings of Jesus as the authoritative interpreter of the law, discipleship, the universal scope of the gospel, and the church's mission to all nations. Key chapters include Matthew 5-7 (the Sermon on the Mount), Matthew 16 (Peter's confession and the promise of the church), Matthew 24-25 (the Olivet Discourse on the end times), and Matthew 28 (the Great Commission). Famous verses include Matthew 28:19-20 -- Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit -- and Matthew 5:3 -- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew KJV Bible study is foundational for understanding Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel's entire story. Read the Book of Matthew online here in full.