Overview of the Gospel of Matthew: Jesus the Promised King
Quick Overview: All About the Gospel of Matthew?
The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and authoritative Teacher who fulfills Old Testament prophecy. Written primarily for a Jewish-Christian audience, this Gospel weaves together parables, sermons, and miracles to reveal Jesus as both Savior and King.
Structured around five major teaching blocks—like a new Torah—Matthew’s Gospel emphasizes discipleship, righteousness, and the Kingdom of Heaven, a phrase unique to Matthew.
It opens with a genealogy that anchors Jesus in Israel’s story and ends with a global call: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations”(Matthew 28:19, NRSV).
Key Themes: Fulfillment of prophecy, Jesus as the New Moses, the Kingdom of Heaven, righteousness, and mission.
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s The Calling of Saint Matthew is a masterpiece. Jesus calls the tax collector from dark to light.
What Is the Gospel of Matthew?
The Gospel of Matthew is the opening book of the New Testament and one of the four canonical Gospels. It offers a portrait of Jesus that is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, which one witnesses while read, “And this was done to fulfill...” (used about 10 times in the Gospel).
Matthew highlights Jesus’ teaching more than his miracles, emphasizing righteousness, obedience, and what it means to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew is often seen as the most structured of the Gospels. It balances narrative with long teaching sections and presents Jesus as a rabbi, a prophet, a king, and a fulfillment of the Law.
Who Wrote the Gospel of Matthew and When?
Authorship - Who wrote the Gospel of Matthew?
Traditionally, the Gospel of Matthew has been attributed to Matthew the tax collector—one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. He’s the one we meet in Matthew 9:9, sitting at his tax booth before Jesus walks by and calls him to something new. That moment of calling became part of a much larger story, and early Christians believed Matthew went on to write it all down.
Now, the Gospel itself doesn’t name its author. But some of the earliest Christian voices—people just a generation or two removed from Jesus—were convinced Matthew wrote it. Papias, writing around 100 AD, said:
“Matthew compiled the sayings in the Hebrew language, and each one interpreted them as best he could.”
What exactly he meant by “sayings” or “Hebrew” is still debated, but the point is: he ties this Gospel directly to Matthew.
Irenaeus came along a few decades later and echoed that belief:
“Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome.”
And Origen, another early Christian scholar, added:
“The first written was that according to Matthew, the same who was once a tax collector, but afterwards an apostle of Jesus Christ.”
These leaders weren’t casual readers. They were shaping what the early church believed about the Gospels—and they all seemed to agree: this was Matthew’s work.
A Community Behind the Gospel?
Some modern scholars think it may not have been Matthew alone but a community shaped by his teaching—sometimes called the Matthean community. According to this view, Matthew’s perspective and memories were preserved by others who looked to him as a teacher or spiritual authority. This group likely had access to other sources too—like Mark’s Gospel and what’s known as the Q source, a collection of Jesus’ sayings that scholars believe circulated early on. (Raymond Brown, W.D. Davies and Dale C. Allison Jr, and Graham Stanton write from this perspective).
Still, even if Matthew didn’t sit down and pen every word himself, his fingerprints are all over this Gospel. It reads like it was written for Jewish Christians—people wrestling with what it meant to follow Jesus while still honoring the Torah. That Jewish flavor is strong throughout, especially in how often Matthew ties Jesus to Old Testament prophecy.
Did You Know?
Matthew is the only Gospel writer who consistently uses the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” instead of “Kingdom of God.” That’s likely out of respect for Jewish customs that avoided saying the name of God directly.
Date - When Was the Gospel of Matthew Written?
Most scholars date the Gospel between AD 80–90, likely after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in AD 70. The tone and content reflect a community navigating its Jewish heritage while forging a new Christian identity.
Who Was Matthew Writing For? Who was Matthew’s Audience?
Matthew appears to be writing to Jewish Christians—those who knew the Scriptures, respected the Law, and were asking how faith in Jesus relates to their heritage. This is clear in the Gospel’s use of Hebrew phrases, genealogies, and constant references to fulfillment of prophecy.
When the Gospel writers expect a non-Jewish audience, they tend to explain terms or customs. Mark often interprets Aramaic terms (Mark 5:41) and explains Jewish customs (handwashing in Mark 7:3-4), which suggests a Gentile readership. Matthew, generally assumes familiarity with such customs, reinforcing the view that his primary audience needed no help in understanding them.
At the same time, Matthew anticipates a wider, global mission. The inclusion of the Magi (Gentiles) in chapter 2, and the climactic Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20, show that the Gospel’s vision extends far beyond Israel.
Key Themes in the Gospel of Matthew
1. Fulfillment of Scripture
Matthew includes more direct quotations and allusions to the Old Testament than any other Gospel. The phrase, “This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet…” appears frequently (see Matthew 1:22–23).
2. The Kingdom of Heaven
This phrase is unique to Matthew and occurs over 30 times. It reflects a reverent Jewish avoidance of directly saying “God,” and highlights the reign of God breaking into the world through Jesus.
3. Jesus as the New Moses
Matthew shows Jesus giving a new law from a mountain (Matthew 5–7), escaping a wicked ruler as an infant, and calling his followers into covenantal obedience—parallels that would resonate with Jewish readers.
4. Discipleship and Ethics
Matthew’s Gospel doesn’t just present facts about Jesus; it invites transformation. The Sermon on the Mount calls believers to a righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees—not in legalism, but in love, mercy, and justice.
5. The Church and Its Mission
Matthew is the only Gospel to use the word “church” (Greek: ekklesia). It addresses questions of authority, conflict resolution, and spiritual community (Matthew 16:18; Matthew 18:15–20).
Structure and Outline of Matthew’s Gospel
Matthew organizes the Gospel around five major discourses, possibly echoing the five books of the Torah:
Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5–7
Mission Instructions – Matthew 10
Parables of the Kingdom – Matthew 13
Life in the Church – Matthew 18
Judgment and the End of the Age – Matthew 24–25
The Gospel culminates in the Passion narrative and the Resurrection, followed by the Great Commission.
How Is Matthew Different from the Other Gospels?
Compared to Mark: Matthew slows down the action and offers more teaching.
Compared to Luke: Matthew has a more overt Jewish orientation, while Luke focuses on Gentiles and outcasts.
Compared to John: Matthew is more structured and grounded in Scripture than mystical or poetic.
Unique to Matthew: The visit of the Magi, Peter walking on water, the parable of the sheep and goats, and the word “church.”
Why Is Matthew Placed First in the New Testament?
Though Mark was likely written earlier, Matthew’s Gospel is placed first because of its strong bridge function. Its genealogy begins with Abraham. Its structure echoes the Torah. And its conclusion sends the church outward to the nations. Matthew moves readers from promise to fulfillment, from prophecy to person, from Law to love.
Meaning for Today
Matthew’s Gospel is a rich invitation to live in light of God’s promises. Jesus is not only the fulfillment of Israel’s story but the teacher and Lord who leads us into a new way of life. Whether we are wrestling with identity, seeking direction, or wondering how to live with integrity, Matthew offers clarity and challenge.
Jesus in Matthew is not distant. He teaches on a mountain, walks on roads, heals the sick, confronts hypocrisy, and gathers people around Him. He is the King who suffers, the Teacher who forgives, and the Lord who calls us to follow.
FAQ: The Gospel of Matthew
What is the main message of the Gospel of Matthew?
Jesus is the Messiah who fulfills Scripture and calls his followers into a life of righteousness, mercy, and Kingdom-living.
Why does Matthew use the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven”?
It reflects a Jewish reverence for God’s name and emphasizes God’s reign on earth through Jesus’ ministry.
Is Matthew’s Gospel only for Jewish readers?
No. While Matthew draws deeply from Jewish tradition, it ends with a call to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
What makes Matthew unique among the four Gospels?
Its structure, extensive Old Testament use, emphasis on discipleship, and focus on Jesus as the new Moses all give Matthew a distinct voice.
