Themes in the Gospel of Matthew
Jesus the Messiah, the New Moses, and the Teacher of the Kingdom
Introduction
The Gospel of Matthew is deeply rooted in the story of Israel, yet it pushes outward with a bold vision of a kingdom for all nations. It’s a Gospel of both continuity and disruption—holding together old and new, tradition and transformation (see Matthew 9:16-17 about the new wine and old wineskins). Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, but also as a radical teacher, a new Moses, and the embodiment of God’s presence.
In this post, we’ll explore key themes in Matthew: fulfillment of Scripture, the Kingdom of Heaven, discipleship, righteousness, conflict, and mission.
The Gospel of Matthew offers us a great vista into the unfolding of God’s plan - Christ takes to the Mount and gives us a view of the Kingdom of Heaven.
1. Fulfillment of Scripture
Matthew’s favorite phrase might be: “this was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet.” He uses it again and again to connect Jesus’ life with the Hebrew Scriptures (e.g. Matthew 1:22–23, 2:5–6, 2:15, 2:17–18, 2:23, 4:14–16, 8:17).
The Gospel opens with a genealogy and ends with Jesus commissioning the disciples to reach the nations—a story framed by promise and fulfillment.
Matthew is making a bold claim: Jesus is not an afterthought to the story of Israel; he is the centerpiece.
2. The Kingdom of Heaven
Unique to Matthew is the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” (used around 30 times), which parallels “Kingdom of God” in the other Gospels. This isn’t just about the afterlife—it’s about the reign of God breaking into the world here and now. Jesus’ teachings (especially the parables in chapter 13) describe the Kingdom as both hidden and powerful, small and world-changing.
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) gives a vision of life in this kingdom—where the poor in spirit are blessed, enemies are loved, and righteousness exceeds religious performance.
3. Jesus as the New Moses
Matthew draws subtle and explicit connections between Jesus and Moses. Both narrowly escape a murderous ruler at birth (Exodus 1–2; Matthew 2). Moses ascended a mountain to receive the Law; Jesus ascends a mountain to teach the Law’s true intent (Matthew 5). Moses gave five books—Jesus gives five blocks of teaching in Matthew, possibly echoing the Torah.
This framing casts Jesus not only as lawgiver but as the One who fulfills and reinterprets the Law with authority
4. Discipleship and the Cost of Following
Matthew’s Gospel calls readers not just to believe in Jesus but to follow Him. This theme runs throughout—from the calling of Peter and Andrew (4:18–22), to Jesus’ hard sayings about leaving everything behind (8:19–22, 10:34–39), to the final command to make disciples of all nations (28:19–20).
Discipleship in Matthew isn’t a part-time identity. It’s a way of life grounded in obedience, humility, and trust.
Jesus bids us to follow.
The cost of discipleship is high.
5. Conflict and Opposition
From the start, Jesus is a controversial figure. He faces resistance from religious leaders, political rulers, and even his own followers at times. Matthew portrays Jesus as one who teaches with authority and confronts hypocrisy, especially in his strong denunciations in Matthew 23
This theme also challenges readers: Will we follow the crowd, or the Christ who often walks against it?
6. The Role of the Church
Matthew is the only Gospel to use the word ekklesia (“church”), in 16:18 and 18:17. It reflects a growing awareness of Christian community and structure, even as the Gospel looks backward to Jewish tradition and forward to Gentile inclusion.
Jesus entrusts authority to his followers, emphasizing community life, forgiveness, and accountability—hallmarks of a faithful church.
7. Judgment and Mercy
Matthew balances hope and warning. It contains some of the most beautiful teachings on forgiveness (e.g., Matthew 18:21–35, the parable of the unforgiving servant), but also some of the most sobering parables about judgment (e.g., Matthew 25, with the ten bridesmaids, the talents, and the sheep and goats).
Judgment in Matthew isn’t merely punitive—it’s revelatory. It reveals what’s true: the fruit of a life aligned with the Kingdom
Conclusion: Holding It All Together
Matthew’s Gospel is a carefully woven account. Its themes are not scattered but integrated: Scripture is fulfilled through Jesus, who teaches the way of the Kingdom, calls disciples to follow, clashes with power, and commissions the church to carry the message forward. It is both deeply Jewish and globally expansive, reverent of tradition yet full of new possibility.
FAQ: Themes in the Gospel of Matthew
What is the main message of the Gospel of Matthew?
The Gospel of Matthew proclaims Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah who fulfills the Scriptures and inaugurates the Kingdom of Heaven. It calls readers to faithful discipleship marked by righteousness, humility, and mission.
Why does Matthew say “this was to fulfill” so often?
Matthew uses fulfillment formulas (e.g., Matthew 1:22–23) to show that Jesus’ life aligns with God’s promises in the Hebrew Bible. He emphasizes continuity between Israel’s story and the life of Jesus.
What is the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God?
“Kingdom of Heaven” is Matthew’s preferred term, likely out of reverence for God’s name. It means the same thing as “Kingdom of God”—God’s reign breaking into the world.
How does Matthew portray discipleship?
Discipleship in Matthew is about transformation and commitment. Jesus invites people to leave behind security, embrace His teachings, and walk the narrow road of the Kingdom.
How is Jesus like Moses in the Gospel of Matthew?
Jesus, like Moses, escapes a violent ruler, goes up a mountain to teach, and leads people into covenant living. Matthew portrays Jesus as the new Moses who fulfills the Law and brings God’s promises to completion.
