Book 40 of 66 · New Testament
Matthew
The first Gospel — Jesus as the promised Messiah, framed around five great blocks of teaching.
28 chapters1,071 versesWritten in GreekSet Judea and Galilee, the life of Jesus (c. 4 BC – AD 30)
Overview
Matthew is the first Gospel and a bridge from the Old Testament to the New. Written especially for Jewish readers, it repeatedly shows how Jesus fulfils the Hebrew scriptures. It gathers Jesus' teaching into five great blocks — beginning with the Sermon on the Mount — and traces his story from a genealogy and the visit of the wise men to the cross and the command to make disciples of all nations.
Book facts
- Author
- Matthew, by traditionAnonymous; early tradition names Matthew (also called Levi), a tax collector who became an apostle.
- Date written
- c. AD 60–85After the Gospel of Mark, which it appears to use.
- Original language
- GreekGreek, with many quotations from the Hebrew scriptures.
- Setting
- Judea and Galilee, the life of Jesus (c. 4 BC – AD 30)Written especially for Jewish readers, showing Jesus as the promised Messiah.
How it came to be
Matthew's Gospel does not name its author. Early tradition names Matthew, the tax collector called by Jesus, as its author.
It is placed first in the New Testament as a bridge from the Old, and appears to draw on the Gospel of Mark.
What is arguedWho wrote it, and how it used its sources. Most scholars think it drew on Mark and other material; the traditional authorship by Matthew is widely but not universally held.
The whole book, chapter by chapter
| Chapter | What happens | Who is in it | Where it takes place |
|---|---|---|---|
The coming of the King — genealogy, birth, baptism, and temptation, chapters 1–4 | |||
| Chapter 1The genealogy | A genealogy traces Jesus from Abraham through David, and an angel tells Joseph of Jesus' birth. | — | |
| Chapter 2The wise men | Wise men follow a star to the child; Herod's jealousy forces the family to flee to Egypt. | , | |
| Chapter 3The baptism | John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan, and a voice from heaven declares him God's Son. | , | |
| Chapter 4The temptation | Jesus is tempted in the wilderness, then begins preaching and calls his first disciples. | , , | , |
The Sermon and the signs — the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus' miracles, chapters 5–9 | |||
| Chapter 5The sermon begins | Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes and teaching on the law. | — | |
| Chapter 6The Lord's prayer | Jesus teaches on prayer — giving the Lord's Prayer — and on trusting God rather than worrying. | — | |
| Chapter 7The two builders | Jesus ends the sermon with the wise and foolish builders. | — | |
| Chapter 8The centurion | Jesus heals many, including a centurion's servant, and calms a storm. | ||
| Chapter 9The paralytic | Jesus forgives and heals a paralysed man, calls Matthew, and raises a girl to life. | , | |
Teaching and opposition — mission, parables, and the road toward Jerusalem, chapters 10–20 | |||
| Chapter 10The twelve sent | Jesus sends out the twelve apostles to preach and heal. | — | |
| Chapter 11The messengers of John | John sends from prison to ask if Jesus is the one; Jesus praises John. | , | — |
| Chapter 12The sabbath question | Jesus is challenged over the Sabbath and answers his critics. | — | |
| Chapter 13The parables | Jesus tells a series of parables about the kingdom, including the sower and the mustard seed. | — | |
| Chapter 14The loaves and fishes | Herod kills John the Baptist; Jesus feeds five thousand and walks on the water. | , , | |
| Chapter 15The Canaanite woman | Jesus praises a Canaanite woman's faith and feeds four thousand. | — | |
| Chapter 16The keys | Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, and Jesus first foretells his death. | , | — |
| Chapter 17The transfiguration | Jesus is transfigured with Moses and Elijah, and heals a boy. | , , , | — |
| Chapter 18The lost sheep | Jesus teaches on humility, forgiveness, and the parable of the lost sheep. | — | |
| Chapter 19The rich young man | Jesus teaches on marriage and wealth; a rich young man goes away sorrowful. | — | |
| Chapter 20The vineyard labourers | The parable of the vineyard workers, and a lesson on serving rather than ruling. | — | |
Jerusalem: the cross and after — the final week, death, and resurrection, chapters 21–28 | |||
| Chapter 21The entry into Jerusalem | Jesus enters Jerusalem to shouts of praise and clears the temple. | , | |
| Chapter 22The wedding feast | Jesus tells the parable of the wedding feast and answers trick questions. | ||
| Chapter 23The woes | Jesus pronounces woes on the hypocritical religious leaders. | ||
| Chapter 24The signs of the end | Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple and the end of the age. | ||
| Chapter 25The ten virgins | Parables of the ten virgins and the talents, and the judgment of the nations. | — | |
| Chapter 26The last supper | Jesus shares the last supper, prays in Gethsemane, is betrayed by Judas, and denied by Peter. | , , , | |
| Chapter 27The crucifixion | Jesus is tried before Pilate, crucified, and buried. | , , | , |
| Chapter 28The empty tomb | The tomb is found empty, and the risen Jesus sends his disciples to all nations. | ||
All 28 chapters. Start reading →
Worth knowing
Key people
Tap a name to see who they are.
Key places
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Known for
Some of the best-known passages in Matthew — tap the verse to read it.
- The Sermon on the MountMatthew 5:3
- The Lord's PrayerMatthew 6:9
- "Thou art Peter"Matthew 16:18
- "Make disciples of all nations"Matthew 28:19