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 26
1And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these words, he said unto his disciples,
2Ye know that after two days the passover cometh, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified.
3Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas;
4and they took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.
5But they said, Not during the feast, lest a tumult arise among people.
6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
7there came unto him a woman having an alabaster cruse of exceeding precious ointment, and she poured it upon his head, as he sat at meat.
8But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
9For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
10But Jesus perceiving it said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
11For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
12For in that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
13Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
15and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver.
16And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him unto them.
17Now on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt thou that we make ready for thee to eat the passover?
18And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Teacher saith, My time is at hand; I keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
19And the disciples did as Jesus appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
20Now when even was come, he was sitting at meat with the twelve disciples;
21and as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began to say unto him every one, Is it I, Lord?
23And he answered and said, He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
24The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.
25And Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said, Is it I, Rabbi? He saith unto him, Thou hast said.
26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins.
29But I say unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
30And when they had sung a hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives.
31Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
32But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.
33But Peter answered and said unto him, If all shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended.
34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
35Peter saith unto him, Even if I must die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray.
37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and sore troubled.
38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me.
39And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42Again a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, My Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43And he came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
44And he left them again, and went away, and prayed a third time, saying again the same words.
45Then cometh he to the disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46Arise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that betrayeth me.
47And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priest and elders of the people.
48Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: take him.
49And straightway he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Rabbi; and kissed him.
50And Jesus said unto him, Friend, do that for which thou art come. Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
51And behold, one of them that were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.
52Then saith Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
54How then should the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be?
55In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and staves to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye took me not.
56But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him, and fled.
57And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.
58But Peter followed him afar off, unto the court of the high priest, and entered in, and sat with the officers, to see the end.
59Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death;
60and they found it not, though many false witnesses came. But afterward came two,
61and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
62And the high priest stood up, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God.
64Jesus said unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.
65Then the high priest rent his garments, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy: what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard the blasphemy:
66what think ye? They answered and said, He is worthy of death.
67Then did they spit in his face and buffet him: and some smote him with the palms of their hands,
68saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ: who is he that struck thee?
69Now Peter was sitting without in the court: and a maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilaean.
70But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
71And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.
72And again he denied with an oath, I know not the man.
73And after a little while they that stood by came and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art one of them; for thy speech maketh thee known.
74Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And straightway the cock crew.
75And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
