HIGHLIGHTS OF MATTHEW

 
  The apostle Matthew’s account of Jesus’ life; written primarily with the Jews in mind, this Gospel demonstrates that Jesus is the foretold Messianic King
 
  The first Gospel written, it was likely composed initially in Hebrew about eight years after the death and resurrection of Christ
 
Details of Jesus’ life fulfill Messianic prophecies
 
  Jesus is born of a virgin, an offspring of Abraham in David’s line, at Bethlehem (1:1-23; 2:1-6)
 
  Baby boys are slaughtered; he is called out of Egypt (2:14-18)
 
  He grows up in Nazareth; John the Baptizer prepares the way for him (2:23–3:3)
 
  He proves to be a light in Galilee (4:13-16)
 
  He performs many miraculous healings (8:16, 17)
 
  He gladly helps the lowly ones (12:10-21)
 
  He teaches, using illustrations; the hearts of many people are unreceptive (13:10-15, 34, 35)
 
  Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the colt of an ass; he is hailed as the Son of David by the crowds but rejected by Jewish “builders” (21:1-11, 15, 42)
 
  Judas betrays him for 30 silver pieces, which money is later used to buy a potter’s field  (26:14, 15, 48, 49; 27:3-10)
 
  His disciples are scattered (26:31)
 
  Jesus is in the tomb for parts of three days (12:39, 40)
 
Jesus proclaims the good news of God’s Kingdom
 
  After John’s arrest, Jesus proclaims: “The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near” (4:12-23)
 
  He visits all the cities and villages of Galilee to preach the good news of the Kingdom (9:35)
 
  He instructs his 12 disciples and sends them out to preach about the Kingdom (10:1–11:1)
 
  He reveals truths about the Kingdom, telling the parables of the sower, the wheat and weeds, the mustard grain, the leaven, treasure hidden in a field, a pearl of high value, a dragnet, workers in a vineyard, two sons, wicked cultivators, and a marriage feast for a king’s son (13:3-50; 20:1-16; 21:28-41; 22:1-14)
 
  He answers his disciples’ question about the sign of his presence, including in his answer a forecast of global preaching of the Kingdom good news (24:3–25:46)
 
Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the religious leaders
 
  He shows that they misrepresent the purpose of the Sabbath and that their traditions invalidate God’s Word (12:3-7; 15:1-14)
 
  He exposes their lack of faith, their murderous spirit, their hypocrisy and pride (12:24-42; 16:1-4; 21:43-45; 23:2-36)
 
  He lays bare their utter disregard for justice, mercy, and faithfulness (23:23, 24; 9:11-13)
 
Jesus gives fine counsel to his followers
 
  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shows why his disciples would be truly happy; he warns against wrath and urges them to make peace with one another and to love even their enemies; he tells of the danger of adulterous thoughts; he counsels against hypocrisy, teaches how to pray, warns against materialism, and advises seeking first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness; he cautions his hearers not to be overcritical, tells them to pray constantly, and urges them to realize that the road to life is narrow and that they should produce fine fruits (5:1–7:27)
 
  Jesus encourages humility and warns against stumbling others; he shows how to settle differences (18:1-17, 21-35)
 
  He states the Christian standard for marriage and divorce (19:3-9)
 
The death and resurrection of God’s Son
 
  On Passover night, Jesus institutes the Memorial of his coming death (26:26-30)
 
  Betrayed and arrested, he is judged worthy of death by the Sanhedrin (26:46-66)
 
  He is examined by Pilate, then whipped, mocked, and impaled (27:2, 11-54)
 
  Jesus is buried; he is resurrected and appears to his followers; he commissions them to go and make disciples of people of all nations (27:57–28:20)