Overview of Matthew
Do you ever find yourself struggling to read the Bible? Do you sometimes feel lost or unsure of how to follow along? If so, you're not alone! Learning to read the Bible is a process, one that requires time, patience, and practice. As we explore the Gospel of Matthew together, it can be helpful to identify some "landmarks" that will guide us and keep us oriented within the text. To do this, we need to take a step back and consider the structure of the book as a whole.
Matthew’s Gospel is thoughtfully organized into a prologue, an epilogue, and five narrative-discourse sections nestled in between. Each of these sections is marked by a phrase similar to: “And when Jesus finished these sayings” (7:28, 11:1, 13:53, 19:1, 26:1). When we come across this "landmark" or structural marker, it signals that one section has ended and a new one is beginning. This is crucial to notice because each section unfolds a unique theme that shapes our understanding of the text.
We (shoutout to Mark Thompson) identified five key themes within these sections:
1. The King/Kingdom Announcement (Matthew 3-7)
Matthew opens in Matthew 1-2 with the announcement of the King's birth. These chapters Matthew begins his Gospel in chapters 1-2 by announcing the birth of the King—Jesus. These opening chapters serve as a prologue, setting the stage for the rest of the book.
The first major section of Matthew's Gospel begins in chapters 3-4 with a narrative focused on the arrival of the Kingdom. It opens with John the Baptist's proclamation: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). This announcement shifts the focus to Jesus, whom Matthew introduces as a King who fulfills God’s promises and brings a new kind of kingdom.
Following this, in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus further reveals the nature of His kingdom—a kingdom characterized by righteousness, mercy, and humility. Here, Jesus sets out the values and principles that define His reign, painting a picture of a kingdom that is radically different from any earthly rule.
2. Kingdom Mission (Matthew 8-10)
The next section shows Jesus in action through nine encounters with various individuals. Through these interactions, we see the healing power of Jesus as He casts out demons and heals the sick. After demonstrating His authority, Jesus sends His disciples out with a mission: "Proclaim as you go, saying, 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons" (Matthew 10:7-8). Jesus’ disciples are called to continue His mission, extending His healing presence to the world.
3. Kingdom Mystery (Matthew 11-13)
The proclamation of the King and His kingdom brings about a range of responses. In Matthew 11-12, we see three different reactions: John the Baptist questions in doubt, the religious leaders respond with rejection, and a man in need responds with acceptance. These varied responses lead us to ask, "Who belongs to the Kingdom?"
Matthew 13 answers this question through the Kingdom Parables—seven stories that unveil the mystery of who responds to God’s invitation and becomes part of His Kingdom.
4. Kingdom Clarity (Matthew 14-18)
This section can be challenging to summarize with a single theme, as it covers several significant events:
- The distinction between Jesus' teachings and those of the religious leaders
- Jesus predicting His death and resurrection twice (Matthew 16:21-23, 17:22-23)
- A clear call to follow Jesus
- The Transfiguration, revealing Jesus' divine nature
- The discussion about the temple tax
When we zoom out, a common thread emerges: answering Jesus’ question to His disciples, "But who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15). Matthew seeks to clarify who Jesus is.
This theme continues in Matthew 18, where Jesus teaches about the kind of community He is establishing in His Kingdom. Overall, chapters 14-18 provide clarity on the King and His Kingdom.
5. Kingdom Clash (Matthew 19-25)
As Jesus clarifies His identity and mission, the divide between His Kingdom and the other kingdoms of the world becomes stark. The narrative reveals escalating conflicts between the Kingdom of God and the religious, Roman, and demonic realms. This clash culminates in Jesus’ final discourse—the Olivet Discourse—where He foretells the ongoing struggle between God’s Kingdom and the kingdoms of the world. Yet, His words are filled with prophetic hope, assuring His followers that His Kingdom will endure.
Matthew's Gospel then moves to a climactic conclusion in chapters 26-28, where the narrative shifts to the cross and resurrection. Here, we witness the defining moment where Jesus, through His death and resurrection, secures all authority as the rightful King of heaven and earth. This epilogue leaves us with the powerful and astonishing truth that the Kingdom of God has triumphed, and that Jesus reigns as King forever.
Summary
When we step back and view these sections within the context of the entire Gospel of Matthew, a powerful truth comes into focus: God is with us. From the opening chapter, where Jesus is called "Immanuel" (which means, God with us) (Matthew 1:23), to His final words, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20), the entire book is framed within this theological reality. We are never alone—God is with us, every step of the way.
Matthew’s Gospel is thoughtfully organized into a prologue, an epilogue, and five narrative-discourse sections nestled in between. Each of these sections is marked by a phrase similar to: “And when Jesus finished these sayings” (7:28, 11:1, 13:53, 19:1, 26:1). When we come across this "landmark" or structural marker, it signals that one section has ended and a new one is beginning. This is crucial to notice because each section unfolds a unique theme that shapes our understanding of the text.
We (shoutout to Mark Thompson) identified five key themes within these sections:
1. The King/Kingdom Announcement (Matthew 3-7)
Matthew opens in Matthew 1-2 with the announcement of the King's birth. These chapters Matthew begins his Gospel in chapters 1-2 by announcing the birth of the King—Jesus. These opening chapters serve as a prologue, setting the stage for the rest of the book.
The first major section of Matthew's Gospel begins in chapters 3-4 with a narrative focused on the arrival of the Kingdom. It opens with John the Baptist's proclamation: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). This announcement shifts the focus to Jesus, whom Matthew introduces as a King who fulfills God’s promises and brings a new kind of kingdom.
Following this, in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus further reveals the nature of His kingdom—a kingdom characterized by righteousness, mercy, and humility. Here, Jesus sets out the values and principles that define His reign, painting a picture of a kingdom that is radically different from any earthly rule.
2. Kingdom Mission (Matthew 8-10)
The next section shows Jesus in action through nine encounters with various individuals. Through these interactions, we see the healing power of Jesus as He casts out demons and heals the sick. After demonstrating His authority, Jesus sends His disciples out with a mission: "Proclaim as you go, saying, 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons" (Matthew 10:7-8). Jesus’ disciples are called to continue His mission, extending His healing presence to the world.
3. Kingdom Mystery (Matthew 11-13)
The proclamation of the King and His kingdom brings about a range of responses. In Matthew 11-12, we see three different reactions: John the Baptist questions in doubt, the religious leaders respond with rejection, and a man in need responds with acceptance. These varied responses lead us to ask, "Who belongs to the Kingdom?"
Matthew 13 answers this question through the Kingdom Parables—seven stories that unveil the mystery of who responds to God’s invitation and becomes part of His Kingdom.
4. Kingdom Clarity (Matthew 14-18)
This section can be challenging to summarize with a single theme, as it covers several significant events:
- The distinction between Jesus' teachings and those of the religious leaders
- Jesus predicting His death and resurrection twice (Matthew 16:21-23, 17:22-23)
- A clear call to follow Jesus
- The Transfiguration, revealing Jesus' divine nature
- The discussion about the temple tax
When we zoom out, a common thread emerges: answering Jesus’ question to His disciples, "But who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15). Matthew seeks to clarify who Jesus is.
This theme continues in Matthew 18, where Jesus teaches about the kind of community He is establishing in His Kingdom. Overall, chapters 14-18 provide clarity on the King and His Kingdom.
5. Kingdom Clash (Matthew 19-25)
As Jesus clarifies His identity and mission, the divide between His Kingdom and the other kingdoms of the world becomes stark. The narrative reveals escalating conflicts between the Kingdom of God and the religious, Roman, and demonic realms. This clash culminates in Jesus’ final discourse—the Olivet Discourse—where He foretells the ongoing struggle between God’s Kingdom and the kingdoms of the world. Yet, His words are filled with prophetic hope, assuring His followers that His Kingdom will endure.
Matthew's Gospel then moves to a climactic conclusion in chapters 26-28, where the narrative shifts to the cross and resurrection. Here, we witness the defining moment where Jesus, through His death and resurrection, secures all authority as the rightful King of heaven and earth. This epilogue leaves us with the powerful and astonishing truth that the Kingdom of God has triumphed, and that Jesus reigns as King forever.
Summary
When we step back and view these sections within the context of the entire Gospel of Matthew, a powerful truth comes into focus: God is with us. From the opening chapter, where Jesus is called "Immanuel" (which means, God with us) (Matthew 1:23), to His final words, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20), the entire book is framed within this theological reality. We are never alone—God is with us, every step of the way.
Check out the Bible Project Summaries of Matthew:
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