BIBLE SUMMARY: MATTHEW
Gospel of Matthew Synopsis: Statistics And Summary of Main Topics.
Gospel of Matthew Chapter by Chapter Summary.
MATTHEW TOTAL CHAPTERS: 28
MATTHEW TOTAL VERSES: 1,071
TOTAL WORDS: 23,684
DATE WRITTEN: 60’s AD
AUTHOR: Matthew
MATTHEW THEME:
Fulfillment of Promise. Kingdom of God: Good News For Jews
MAJOR CHARACTERS:
God, Joseph, Mary, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Moses, Elijah, People of Israel, John the Baptist, King Herod, Herodias, Salome (King Herod’s stepdaughter), Jesus Disciples, Judah Iscariot, Devil.
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW KEY VERSES:
5:17: Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
5:43-44: You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
6:9-13: This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
16:26: What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
22:37-40: Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two.
27:31: After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
28:5-6: The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
28:19-20: Therefore 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 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
MATTHEW SUMMARY
This Gospel is written by Matthew most likely in Antioch Syria sometime around 50-60AD. Antioch was one of the first centers of outreach to the gentile world. Although the primary audience of this Gospel is Jewish Christians who were being severely persecuted. There was a complete silence between Matthew and the last book of Old Testament Malachi. A silence of almost 400 years. So you can imagine that how this book addresses the expectation, longing and waiting of the people for the coming Messiah. This book therefore from the very beginning keeps its connections with the Old Testament by starting first with the genealogy of Jesus and that how firmly it is rooted in the history of God’s people. He is the son of David the king and Abraham the patriarch. In the account of Jesus’ birth, there are at least three prophecies that are fulfilled. It also looked connected with OT as it speaks more than 30 times regarding the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew counterbalances the popular Jewish belief that the Messiah would be a military leader who will establish the Kingdom of David. Remember Jesus means savior and Christ means Messiah another name given to Jesus in OT was Immanuel which means God is with us. The whole book can be divided into five major sections narrating the origin, birth and person of Jesus, his Passion, Trial, Crucifixion, and Resurrection.
CHAPTER WISE SUMMARY:
Chapter# 1 – The Genealogy Of Jesus. Genealogy of Jesus Christ listed; Mary pregnant by Holy Spirit. Angel to Joseph who marries Mary. Jesus born
Chapter# 2 – The elder wise men from the east inquire after Jesus. Herod is alarmed. Herod tries to kill Jesus; Jesus family flees to Egypt. Joseph, Mary, And Jesus Return To Nazareth
Chapter# 3 – John The Baptist Begins His Ministry. John the Baptist preaches repentance in Judea & baptizes in Jordan; John baptizes Christ in Jordan. A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son.
Chapter# 4 – The Temptation Of Christ. Fasting for forty days& is tempted by Devil in the wilderness. Jesus Calls His First Disciples. Calls Peter, Andrew, James, John. Teaches preaches & heals the diseased in Galilee
Chapter# 5 – Jesus Sermon On The Mount: The Beatitudes. Salt And Light. The Law Fulfillment. Anger Toward Others. Adultery And Lust. Divorce. Taking Oaths. Retaliation. Love For Enemies.
Chapter# 6 – Jesus Sermon On The Mount: Charitable Giving. How To Pray. How To Fast. Treasure In Heaven. Anxiety. Light Of The Body.
Chapter# 7 – Jesus Sermon on the Mount: about judging, God’s good gifts, narrow way to life, false prophets, wise & foolish men
Chapter# 8 – Christ cleanses the leper. A Centurion’s Slave Healed. Peter’s mother & other people; Jesus calms sea, casts devils out of two men and suffers them to go into the swine.
Chapter# 9 – Christ cures one sick of the palsy. Matthew Called To Follow Jesus. Cured bleeding woman, blind men, casts out devils, raises a girl to life, refutes accusations & preaches
Chapter# 10 – Christ sends out his twelve apostles, enabling them to do miracles. Persecution Of Disciples Predicted.
Chapter# 11 – John sends his disciples to Christ. John’s disciples question Jesus. Christ’s testimony concerning John. Woes Pronounced On Unrepentant Towns rebukes cities. A Yoke That Is Easy invites people to Himself to find rest.
Chapter# 12 – Christ reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the breach of the Sabbath. Jesus heals man’s hand, demon-possessed, blind & mute man. The Sign Of Jonah. Jesus’ Mother And Brothers
Chapter# 13 – The parable of the sower and the seed. The parable of wheat & tares, mustard seed leaven, hidden treasure, pearl. Jesus not accepted in his own country and is condemned of his own countrymen.
Chapter# 14 – Herod’s opinion of Christ. John the Baptist beheaded; Jesus feeds 5000 people; Jesus walks on the waters to his disciples. Jesus heals many in Gennesaret
Chapter# 15 – Jesus reproves the Scribes and Pharisees for transgressing God’s commandments through their own traditions. Jesus heals the daughter of the woman of Canaan. Feeds 4000 people with seven loaves and a few little fishes
Chapter# 16 – Pharisees ask for a sign. He warns his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Peter’s Confession. Jesus Predicts His Death And Resurrection
Chapter# 17 – The Transfiguration of Christ. Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus, and a voice from a bright cloud overhead was heard, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Jesus Predicts His Death And Resurrection A Second Time. Peter pays tax with money from fish
Chapter# 18 – The Question About Who Is Greatest. Jesus teaches humility, receiving children, removing what offends, finding the lost, forgiveness, the unforgiving servant
Chapter# 19 – Christ heals many. Teaches about marriage & divorce. Bless the children, Instructs the young man how to attain eternal life. Teaches about sacrifice
Chapter# 20 – Parable of the laborers. Jesus Predicts His Death And Resurrection A Third Time. James & John’s request. Heals 2 blind men
Chapter# 21 – Jesus enters Jerusalem upon an ass. Drives all people out of the temple. Cleanses temple; children praise Jesus; Pharisees question Jesus. The Parable Of The Two Sons. The Parable Of The Tenant Farmers In The Vineyard
Chapter# 22 – The Parable Of The Wedding Celebration. Teaches about taxes. A Question About Marriage And The Resurrection. Jesus Answers a question that which is the first and great commandment. Puzzles the Pharisees by a question about the Messias.
Chapter# 23 – Seven Woes Pronounced On The Scribes And Pharisees. Jesus speaks against scribes & Pharisees, hypocrisy, pride, fanaticism, rejecting prophets; Jesus desire to gather His people
Chapter# 24 – The Destruction Of The Temple Predicted. Predicts signs Of The End Of The Age and His own return, signs before these events, warnings against false teachings. The Son of Man will come in glory. No one knows the day.
Chapter# 25 – The parable of the ten virgins wise & foolish virgins. The parable of the talents. The Son of Man will judge the nations.
Chapter# 26 – The Chief Priests And Elders Plot To Kill Jesus. Woman pours ointment on Jesus. Last Supper; Jesus in Gethsemane. Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial. The Betrayal And Arrest Of Jesus. Questioned by priest. Peter Denies Jesus Three Times.
Chapter# 27 – Christ is delivered bound to Pilate. Judas hangs himself. Pilate Releases Barabbas. Jesus questioned by Pilate, abused by soldiers, crucified on the cross, dies put in Tomb. The Tomb Is Sealed And Guarded
Chapter# 28 – Jesus’ resurrection. Christ’s resurrection is declared by an angel to the women Mary & Mary. Jesus meets Mary & Mary. Christ appears to his disciples. Great Commission. Asks disciples to baptize and teach all nations.