BIBLE BOOK GUIDE
Matthew
28 chapters
Jesus is the promised King from David's line who brings the kingdom of heaven, dies and rises to save His people, and commissions His disciples to make disciples of all nations.
Matthew
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Why this book was written
Matthew wrote primarily for a Jewish audience to demonstrate that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah who fulfills Old Testament prophecy, to teach the ethic of kingdom living, and to commission the church for global disciple-making.
Structure
- 1–4The King's Birth and Preparation
- 5–7The Kingdom Manifesto: Sermon on the Mount
- 8–10The King's Power and Mission
- 11–13The Mystery and Response to the Kingdom
- 14–20The King's Path to the Cross
- 21–28The King's Trial, Cross, and Resurrection
Major themes
The Kingdom of Heaven
The kingdom has arrived in Jesus but awaits full consummation; disciples are to seek and live out its values now.
Messianic Identity
Jesus is the Son of David whose words, authority, and suffering fulfill Old Testament messianic prophecy.
Faith and Discipleship
Genuine faith expresses itself in obedience, self-denial, and a missional witness to the world.
Righteousness and Mercy
Kingdom righteousness exceeds Pharisaic legalism and is marked by mercy, sincerity, and inward transformation.
Judgment and Eschatology
Jesus foretells judgment on unbelief and the end times, calling listeners to watchfulness and readiness.
The Great Commission
The risen Christ commissions the church to baptize, teach, and make disciples of every nation.
How it points to Christ
Matthew portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of every Old Testament hope: greater than Solomon, greater than the temple, the new Moses, the suffering Servant, and the risen King. His teaching reveals the Father's heart, His miracles demonstrate the kingdom's power, His death pays the ransom for many, and His resurrection launches the global mission of His church.
Key verses
- 1:1Opens by anchoring Jesus in covenant history as the fulfillment of messianic promises.
- 5:17–18Jesus clarifies His relationship to the Old Testament as its fulfillment.
- 11:28–30A gospel invitation promising rest and a yoke of grace.
- 16:16Peter's confession identifying Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God.
- 20:28Defines Jesus' mission as a ransom for many, central to the cross.
- 26:26–28Institution of the Lord's Supper pointing to the new covenant in His blood.
- 28:18–20The Great Commission with the promise of Christ's presence closes the book.
Films & series on Matthew
Each has a guide: scripture sources, where it departs from the Bible, discussion questions, and where to watch

The Chosen
Series · 2019
The life of Christ through the eyes of those who encountered him.

Jesus of Nazareth
Series · 1977
Dramatizes the Birth, Life, Ministry, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, largely according to the Holy Bible's New Testament Gospels.

The Passion of the Christ
Film · 2004
A graphic portrayal of the last twelve hours of Jesus of Nazareth's life.

Son of God
Film · 2014
In the Holy Land, the Roman occupation has produced a cauldron of oppression, anxiety and excessive taxes levied upon the Jewish people. Fearing the wrath of Roman governor Pontius Pilate , Jewish high priest Caiaphas tries to keep control of his people. That control is threatened when Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, performing miracles and spreading messages of love and hope. Those who fear that Jesus will inspire a revolution decide that he must die.

The Gospel of Matthew
Film · 2014
The Gospel of Matthew was the most popular Gospel in the early Christian centuries. Written for a Christian community as it begins to separate from the Jewish world, Matthew's Gospel goes to great lengths to show that, as the Messiah, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies referring to God's Saviour. Narrated in the NIV version by leading British actor Stephen Tompkinson and in the KJV by David Threlfall - featuring specially constructed sets and the authentic countryside of Morocco - it immerses the viewer in the world of first-century Palestine.

The King of Kings
Film · 2025
Charles Dickens tells his young son Walter the greatest story ever told, and what begins as a bedtime tale becomes a life-changing journey. Through vivid imagination, the boy walks alongside Jesus, witnessing His miracles, facing His trials, and understanding His ultimate sacrifice.
Reflections on Matthew
People in this book
Questions for reflection
- ·Which command of the Sermon on the Mount challenges you most right now, and how can you let kingdom values displace worldly ones?
- ·How are you living out the call to be salt and light in your daily work and relationships?
- ·In light of Jesus' warning that not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' enters the kingdom, how do you examine the authenticity of your relationship with Him?
- ·How does the truth that Jesus gave His life as a ransom reshape your view of sacrifice, service, and forgiveness?
- ·To whom or where is the Great Commission sending you, and what is one step you can take today?
Want to read Matthew start to finish? Open the reader for parallel Chinese/English text and ask anything as you go.
Start reading MatthewMatthew
Chapter 2
1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
2Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born.
5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written through the prophet,
6And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come forth a governor, who shall be shepherd of my people Israel.
7Then Herod privily called the Wise-men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared.
8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him.
9And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt;
15and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son.
16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men.
17Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
18A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she would not be comforted, because they are not.
19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
20Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child's life.
21And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee,
23and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene.
