About This Book

Matthew presents Jesus as Israel’s long awaited Messiah and the true King through whom God brings his saving rule to the world. Written with deep sensitivity to the Old Testament story, the Gospel shows how the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus stand in continuity with God’s covenant purposes, while also bringing them to their appointed fulfilment. Matthew serves pastors and teachers by offering a carefully structured account that is both evangelistic and profoundly formative for the church.

The book moves from the revelation of the King’s identity to the proclamation of his kingdom, and then toward the growing conflict that leads to the cross. Along the way, Matthew weaves together narrative and extended teaching blocks to shape disciples who understand not only who Jesus is, but what it means to live under his gracious rule. The spiritual burden is clear, to hear the King’s voice, submit to his authority, and participate in his mission until the end of the age.

Matthew trains the church to recognise Jesus as God’s promised King and to live as obedient disciples within his kingdom.

When preaching Matthew, keep the whole Gospel in view, let narrative and teaching interpret one another, and allow the authority of Jesus himself to press for response.

Structure of the Book

This outline highlights the major movements that shape Matthew’s presentation of Jesus and his kingdom.

1. The identity and arrival of the King
   Genealogy, birth, and early ministry establishing Jesus as the promised Son of David and Son of God, chs.1 to 4
2. The King’s kingdom proclaimed
   The Sermon on the Mount sets out the character, calling, and righteousness of kingdom people, chs.5 to 7
3. The authority and compassion of the King
   Miracles and mission display the power and mercy of the kingdom, chs.8 to 10
4. Responses to the King and his kingdom
   Growing opposition, divided responses, and teaching through parables, chs.11 to 13
5. The formation of kingdom community
   Instruction for disciples and the life of the church under Jesus’ lordship, chs.14 to 18
6. The King’s authority confronted and rejected
   Conflict in Jerusalem, judgment on false religion, and warnings of coming judgment, chs.19 to 25
7. The suffering, death, and victory of the King
   The passion, resurrection, and commissioning of disciples to the nations, chs.26 to 28

Key Themes

• Fulfilment of Scripture, Jesus brings God’s promises to completion in his person and work.
• The kingdom of heaven, God’s saving rule has arrived and demands repentance and faith.
• The authority of Jesus, his words and works reveal divine authority that calls for obedience.
• True righteousness, kingdom life flows from transformed hearts, not external religion.
• Discipleship, following Jesus involves costly allegiance and wholehearted obedience.
• Conflict and opposition, the presence of the kingdom exposes unbelief and provokes resistance.
• Judgment and hope, present responses to Jesus anticipate the final reckoning.
• Mission to the nations, the risen King sends his people to make disciples of all peoples.

Recommended Commentaries

These recommendations are chosen to help preachers and teachers grasp Matthew’s structure, theological aims, and pastoral force. A primary volume should guide weekly preparation, while a second voice can assist where the text is dense or where interpretive tensions arise.

• Matthew 24-28by John MacArthur, Score: 8.8

  A clear, faithful, pastorally rich exposition of Matthew 24–28 that equips preachers to handle these weighty chapters with confidence.

• The Message of the Sermon on the Mountby John R.W. Stott, Score: 8.8

  A gospel-rooted, pastorally wise guide to preaching and living the Sermon on the Mount in the 21st century church.

• The Message of Matthewby Michael Green, Score: 8.8

  A gospel-centred, accessible guide to Matthew that equips churches to preach and live the kingdom of Christ.

Browse all Matthew reviews

Extra support is often helpful in chs.5 to 7 for the Sermon on the Mount, ch.13 for the parables of the kingdom, and chs.24 to 25 where judgment and future hope are closely intertwined.

Preaching and Teaching Helps

Matthew rewards careful planning and patient exposition, especially when preached as a sustained series.

• Respect the teaching blocks, the five major discourses shape the Gospel’s rhythm and theology.
• Hold continuity and fulfilment together, show how Jesus completes the Old Testament story.
• Avoid flattening narrative, allow scenes to build tension and reveal character over time.
• Handle judgment texts soberly, keeping mercy, urgency, and hope in proper balance.
• Keep mission in view, the Gospel moves steadily toward the commission of ch.28.

This Book in the Story of Scripture

Matthew stands at the hinge of redemptive history, drawing together the hopes of Israel and opening the way for the gospel to the nations. By presenting Jesus as the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets, the Gospel shows that God’s saving purposes reach their decisive moment in the coming of the King who gives his life for many.

The book shapes the church as a community that lives under Christ’s authority while awaiting his return. It forms disciples marked by obedience, humility, and confidence in God’s promises, and it fuels mission by anchoring hope in the risen Lord who reigns even now.

Because the King has come and will come again, the church lives in faithful obedience today, confident in the final triumph of God’s kingdom.