The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and one of the three Synoptic Gospels. It tells the story of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Matthew was one of the 12 disciples and his gospel was likely written between AD 50-70 for a Jewish Christian audience. Here is a summary of the key events and teachings covered in the 28 chapters of Matthew:
Chapter 1 – Genealogy, Birth of Jesus
Matthew begins with a genealogy tracing Jesus’ lineage from Abraham to King David to Joseph. It establishes Jesus as a descendant of David and Abraham. Jesus is born to Mary in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod. Magi from the east bring gifts to the young child Jesus after following a star. Herod orders the massacre of all male infants in Bethlehem to try to kill Jesus. Jesus escapes to Egypt with Mary and Joseph and returns after Herod’s death. John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus, preaching repentance and baptizing people in the Jordan River.
Chapters 2-4 – Baptism, Temptation, First Disciples
Jesus comes from Galilee to be baptized by John in the Jordan River. The Spirit of God descends on Jesus and God’s voice calls Him His beloved Son. Jesus fasts for 40 days and nights in the wilderness where He is tempted by the devil. Jesus begins preaching repentance and the kingdom of heaven is near. Jesus calls His first disciples Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. He travels teaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the gospel, and healing the sick.
Chapters 5-7 – Sermon on the Mount
Jesus delivers His famous Sermon on the Mount to His disciples and followers. Key topics He covers include: the Beatitudes, salt and light, fulfilling the Old Testament Law, murder and anger, adultery and lust, divorce, oaths, loving enemies, giving to the needy, praying, fasting, worry, judging others, and the golden rule. Jesus emphasizes loving God and loving others. He warns about false prophets and that not everyone who claims Him as Lord will enter heaven.
Chapters 8-9 – Miracles, Calling of Matthew
Jesus performs many miracles displaying His authority and power, including healing a leper, centurion’s servant, Peter’s mother-in-law, calming a storm, delivering demoniacs, healing a paralytic, and raising a dead girl to life. He calls the tax collector Matthew to follow Him, drawing criticism for eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus is questioned about fasting and affirms He is the bridegroom. He heals 2 blind men, a mute, and a woman with a discharge of blood. He raises a synagogue leader’s daughter from the dead.
Chapter 10 – Commissioning the Twelve Disciples
Jesus calls His twelve disciples and gives them authority to drive out demons and heal diseases. He sends them out to preach the kingdom of heaven being near, heal the sick, raise the dead, and freely give what they received. Jesus warns them they will face persecution but the Spirit will give them words to speak in defense. Jesus tells the disciples that He came to bring division between family members on account of Him.
Chapter 11 – Jesus and John the Baptist
John the Baptist in prison sends disciples to ask Jesus if He is the Messiah. Jesus responds with proofs of His miracles. He affirms John as the prophesied messenger yet says the least in the kingdom is greater than him. Jesus criticizes the unbelieving cities and invites the weary to find rest in Him. He claims that only the Father knows the Son and only the Son knows the Father.
Chapter 12 – Lord of the Sabbath
Jesus’ disciples pick grain on the Sabbath and Jesus heals a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath, provoking the Pharisees. Jesus affirms He is Lord of the Sabbath and that doing good is lawful on the Sabbath. Jesus heals a demon-oppressed blind and mute man. The Pharisees accuse Him of being empowered by Satan. Jesus says blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the unforgivable sin. Jesus’ true family are those who do the will of God.
Chapter 13 – Parables
Jesus teaches in parables to the crowds, including the parable of the sower, the weeds, the mustard seed, the yeast, the hidden treasure, the pearl, and the net. He explains why He speaks in parables – to reveal truth to followers but conceal it from unbelievers. Jesus is rejected at Nazareth, his hometown. He sends out the disciples to teach and preach in the surrounding towns.
Chapter 14 – Death of John, Feeding the Five Thousand
Herod imprisons and beheads John the Baptist. Jesus withdraws by boat but crowds follow Him. He heals the sick and feeds five thousand men from five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus dismisses the crowd, prays on a mountain alone, and walks on the sea to the disciples in the boat during a storm. They confess He is the Son of God and land at Gennesaret where Jesus heals many people.
Chapter 15 – Traditions and Commandments
Pharisees criticize Jesus’ disciples for not washing their hands before eating. Jesus says true defilement is from within, not external. A Canaanite woman persistently asks Jesus to heal her demon-oppressed daughter because of her great faith; He does. Jesus heals and feeds four thousand men plus women and children with seven loaves of bread and fish. Jesus warns of the “yeast” of the Pharisees and Sadducees who seek signs.
Chapter 16 – Peter’s Confession
The Pharisees and Sadducees ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. He refers them to past signs and warns about their teachings. Peter declares Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus affirms this revelation from the Father and declares Peter the rock on which He will build His church. Soon after Jesus predicts His death and resurrection, Peter rebukes Him but is set straight – disciples must deny themselves and take up their cross. Some standing with Jesus will see His coming kingdom.
Chapter 17 – The Transfiguration
Jesus is transfigured in glory before Peter, James, and John, appearing with Moses and Elijah. A voice from heaven declares “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy after disciples failed to heal him. Jesus predicts His death and resurrection a second time. A temple tax is secured from a fish’s mouth to not offend.
Chapter 18 – Who is the Greatest?
The disciples argue over who is greatest in the kingdom. Jesus responds that they must change and become like children. He warns against tempting little ones to sin. Jesus teaches to remove temptations, listen to a sinning brother, and forgive limitless times. A parable about an unforgiving servant illustrates these lessons. Jesus says where two or three agree in prayer, it will be done.
Chapter 19 – Teaching on Divorce
Pharisees test Jesus about divorce. He responds that Moses permitted it due to hardness of heart, but from the beginning God made them male and female in lifelong union. Jesus welcomes little children. A rich young man asks about obtaining eternal life. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, sell his possessions, and come follow Him. Jesus promises rewards to those who leave things for His sake.
Chapter 20 – Laborers in the Vineyard
The parable of laborers in the vineyard shows the last being made first and the first last, as the owner generously pays all the workers the same full day’s wage regardless of how many hours worked. Again Jesus predicts His death and resurrection. When mother of Zebedee’s sons asks for them to sit at Jesus’ right and left hand, He says only the Father grants seats of honor.
Chapters 21-22 – Authority, Parables, Greatest Commands
Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy of the Messiah King. He cleanses the temple of merchants and healings draw children’s praises. Jesus curses the fig tree and teaches on prayer and forgiveness. Parables given to religious leaders include the two disobedient sons and the tenant farmers who killed servants and the owner’s son to steal the vineyard. Attempts to trap Jesus with questions about paying taxes, resurrection, and the greatest commandment all fail.
Chapter 23 – Woes to the Pharisees
Jesus strongly warns people against following the hypocritical examples of the scribes and Pharisees, who tie up heavy burdens yet do not lift a finger to help. He calls them blind guides, fools, snakes, and hypocrites. Jesus laments over killing past prophets and says they are not finished doing the same.
Chapter 24-25 – Signs, Parables on Preparedness
Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple and signs of the end times – wars, famines, false prophets, persecution, apostasy, tribulation, and the glorious coming of the Son of Man. Parables on readiness include: the homeowner and the thief, the good and wicked servants, the ten virgins, and the sheep and the goats. No one knows the day or hour when the Son of Man is coming.
Chapters 26-28 – Crucifixion, Resurrection
Leaders plot to kill Jesus. A woman anoints Him with expensive perfume at Bethany. Judas agrees to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. At the Last Supper, Jesus blesses the bread and wine as representing His body and blood of the new covenant. He predicts Peter’s denials. Jesus prays intensely at Gethsemane before His arrest. Judas betrays Him with a kiss. Jesus is tried and condemned by the Sanhedrin and Pilate. Crucified at Golgotha, Jesus cries out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (27:46) and gives up His spirit. Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus in his tomb. On the third day, two women find the stone rolled away and a young man in white announces Jesus has risen from the dead. The eleven disciples see the risen Lord Jesus, receive the Great Commission, and Jesus promises to always be with them to the end of the age.