Matthew

• When: 6 BC to ~ 30 AD during Jesus's earthly life
• Author: The apostle Matthew
• Written: ca. AD 55 - 65
• Original language: Koine (ordinary or common) Greek

The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. It emphasizes Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah (the promised King from the line of David) who fulfills Jewish prophecy and scripture.

• Jewish Fulfillment: Matthew quotes the Old Testament over 60 times to prove to a Jewish audience that Jesus is the long-awaited King.
• The “New Moses”: Jesus is portrayed as an authoritative teacher who, like Moses, gives new divine instruction from a mountain.
• Kingdom of Heaven: The central message of Jesus' teaching is the arrival of God’s “Upside-Down Kingdom,” where the humble are honored and the last are first.
• Emmanuel: The name “Emmanuel” (God with us) frames the book, starting with his birth and ending with the promise to be with his followers forever.

• The book is famous for its Five Discourses, reflecting the five books of the Torah:
  • Sermon on the Mount (Ch. 5–7): Core ethics of the Kingdom, including the Beatitudes.
  • Missionary Discourse (Ch. 10): Instructions for the 12 apostles.
  • Parabolic Discourse (Ch. 13): Secrets of the Kingdom revealed through stories.
  • Church Discourse (Ch. 18): Instructions on humility and forgiveness.
  • Olivet Discourse (Ch. 24–25): Teachings on the end times and judgment.

• Birth & Infancy: Begins with a genealogy linking Jesus to Abraham and David, followed by his miraculous birth and the visit of the Magi.
• Ministry: Details Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist, his 40-day temptation in the wilderness, and his works of healing and miracles.
• Passion & Resurrection: Covers the Last Supper, Jesus' arrest and trial, his crucifixion under Pontius Pilate, and his triumph over death.
• The Great Commission: Concludes with Jesus commanding his followers to make disciples of all nations.

Jews believe the Messiah (Mashiach) will be a human descendant of King David who ushers in an era of universal peace, gathers all Jews back to Israel, rebuilds the Temple in Jerusalem, and leads the world to recognize the one true God, establishing justice and Torah observance for all, without altering natural laws, focusing on spiritual redemption and worldly perfection.

• Gather the Exiles: Bring all Jews from across the world back to Israel.
• Rebuild the Temple: Restore the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
• Establish World Peace: End all war, conflict, and jealousy, creating an era of universal harmony.
• Universal Knowledge of God: Cause all people to recognize and worship the God of Israel.
• Restore Torah Observance: Bring Israel and the world to full observance of Jewish law.
• Reign as a King: Rule wisely as a political and spiritual leader, a “Lord's anointed”.

• Human & Descendant of David: A mortal, human leader from King David's lineage.
• Not Divine: Not to be worshipped as God, but as a great human leader.
• Warrior/Leader: Expected to vanquish Israel's enemies and lead them to freedom.

• A time of immense material abundance and spiritual enlightenment.
• Nature won't fundamentally change, but enemies will no longer oppress the Jewish people.
• Focus is on spiritual perfection and universal Torah study.

• The Genealogy of Jesus Christ (1-18)
• The Nativity of the Messiah (18-25)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• Wise Men Visit the King (1-12)
• The Flight into Egypt (13-15)
• The Massacre of the Innocents (16-18)
• The Return to Nazareth (19-23)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Herald of the Messiah (1-12)
• The Baptism of Jesus (13-17)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Temptation of Jesus (1 - 11)
• Ministry in Galilee (12 - 17)
• The First Disciples (18 - 22)
• Teaching, Preaching and Healing (23 - 25)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Sermon on the Mount (1-2)
• The Beatitudes (3-12)
• Believers are Salt and Light (13-16)
• Christ Fulfills the Law (17-20)
• Murder Begins in the Heart (21-26)
• Adultery Begins in the Heart (27-30)
• Divorce Practices Censured (31-32)
• Tell the Truth (33-37)
• Go the Second Mile (38-42)
• Love your Enemies (43-48)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• How to Give (1-4)
• How to Pray (5-8)
• The Lord's Prayer (9-15)
• How to Fast (16-18)
• God and Possessions (19-24)
• The Cure for Anxiety (25-34)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• Do not Judge (1-6)
• Ask, Search, Knock (7-12)
• Entering the Kingdom (13-23)
• The Two Foundations (24-29)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• A Man Cleansed (1-4)
• A Centurion's Faith (5-13)
• Healings at Capernaum (14-17)
• The Cost of Following Jesus (18-22)
• Wind and Waves Obey Jesus (23-27)
• Demons Driven out by Jesus (28-34)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Son of Man Forgives and Heals (1-8)
• The Call of Matthew (9-13)
• A Question about Fasting (14-17)
• A Girl Restored and a Woman Healed (18-26)
• Healing the Blind (27-31)
• Driving out a Demon (32-34)
• The Lord of the Harvest (35-38)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• Commissioning the Twelve (1-15)
• Persecutions Predicted (16-25)
• Fear God (26-31)
• Acknowledging Christ (32-39)
• A Cup of Cold Water (40-42)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• John the Baptist Doubts (1-15)
• An Unresponsive Generation (16-24)
• The Son Gives Knowledge and Rest (25-30)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• Lord of the Sabbath (1-8)
• The Man with the Shriveled Hand (9-14)
• The Servant of the Lord (15-21)
• A House Divided (22-32)
• A Tree and its Fruit (33-37)
• The Sign of Jonah (38-42)
• An Unclean Spirit's Return (43-45)
• True Relationships (46-50)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Parable of the Sower (1-9)
• Why Jesus used Parables (10-17)
• The Parable of the Sower Explained (18-23)
• The Parable of the Wheat and Weeds (24-30)
• The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven (31-33)
• Using Parables Fulfills Prophecy (34-35)
• Jesus Interprets the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds (36-43)
• The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Priceless Pearl (44-46)
• The Parable of the Net (47-50)
• The Storehouse of Truth (51-52)
• Rejection at Nazareth (53-58)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• John the Baptist Beheaded (1-12)
• Feeding of the Five Thousand (13-21)
• Walking on the Water (22-33)
• Miraculous Healings (34-36)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Tradition of the Elders (1-9)
• Defilement is from Within (10-20)
• A Gentile Mother's Faith (21-28)
• Healing Many People (29-31)
• Feeding of the Four Thousand (32-39)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees (1-12)
• Peter's Confession of the Messiah (13-20)
• His Death and Resurrection Predicted (21-23)
• Take up Your Cross (24-28)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Transfiguration (1-13)
• The Power of Jesus Over a Demon (14-21)
• The Second Prediction of His Death (22-23)
• Paying the Temple Tax (24-27)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• Who is the Greatest? (1-9)
• The Parable of the Lost Sheep (10-14)
• Restoring a Brother (15-20)
• The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (21-35)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Question of Divorce (1-12)
• Blessing the Children (13-15)
• The Rich Young Ruler (16-22)
• Possessions and the Kingdom (23-30)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Parable of the Vineyard Workers (1-16)
• The Third Prediction of His Death (17-19)
• Suffering and Service (20-28)
• Two Blind Men Healed (29-34)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Triumphal Entry (1-11)
• Cleansing the Temple (12-13)
• Children Praise Jesus (14-17)
• The Barren Fig Tree (18-22)
• The Authority of Jesus Challenged (23-27)
• The Parable of the Two Sons (28-32)
• The Parable of the Vineyard Owner (33-46)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Parable of the Wedding Banquet (1-14)
• God and Caesar (15-22)
• The Sadducees and the Resurrection (23-33)
• The Primary Commands (34-40)
• The Question About the Messiah (41-46)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• Religious Hypocrites Denounced (1-36)
• Jesus's Lamenting Over Jerusalem (37-39)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• Destruction of the Temple Predicted (1-2)
• Signs of the End of the Age (3-8)
• Persecutions Predicted (9-14)
• The Great Tribulation (15-28)
• The Coming of the Son of Man (29-31)
• The Parable of the Fig Tree (32-35)
• No One Knows the Day or the Hour (36-44)
• Faithful Service to Christ (45-51)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Parable of the Ten Virgins (1-13)
• The Parable of the Talents (14-30)
• The Sheep and the Goats (31-46)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• The Plot to Kill Jesus (1-5)
• The Anointing at Bethany (6-16)
• Betrayal at the Passover (17-25)
• The First Lord's Supper (26-30)
• Peter's Denial Predicted (31-35)
• The Prayer in the Garden (36-46)
• Judas's Betrayal of Jesus (47-56)
• Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin (57-68)
• Peter Denies His Lord (69-75)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• Jesus Handed Over to Pilate (1-2)
• Judas Hangs Himself (3-10)
• Jesus Faces the Governor (11-14)
• Jesus or Barabbas (15-26)
• Mocked by the Military (27-31)
• Crucified Between Two Criminals (32-44)
• The Death of Jesus (45-56)
• The Burial of Jesus (57-61)
• The Closely Guarded Tomb (62-66)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

• Resurrection Morning (1-10)
• The Soldiers Bribed to Lie (11-15)
• The Great Commission (16-20)
• NET Bible | Enduring Word Commentary | Notes

The earliest manuscripts of the Gospel of Matthew are primarily 3rd-century Greek papyri fragments, with key witnesses including P-37, P-1 and P-64 (the Magdalen Papyrus). These fragments contain portions of Matthew, such as the genealogy in Chapter 1 and the narrative in Chapter 26, dating back to approximately 200-300 CE, with P-64 potentially dating even earlier.

• P-1 (P. Oxy. 2): Dated to the early 3rd century, this fragment contains Matthew 1:1-9, 12-20 and is housed at the University of Pennsylvania.
• P-37 (P. Mich. 1570): A 3rd-century fragment containing Matthew 26:19-52.
• P-64 (P. Magd. Gr. 17): Part of the Magdalen Papyrus, often dated to the late 2nd or early 3rd century, containing fragments of Matthew 3, 5, and 26.
• P-104 (P. Oxy. 4404): A 2nd-century fragment, making it one of the oldest, containing Matthew 21:34-37, 43-45.
• P-45 (P. Chester Beatty I): Early 3rd century, part of a codex containing all four Gospels and Acts.
• P-77 (P. Oxy. 2683): Late 2nd or early 3rd century, containing Matthew 23.

• P-103 (P. Oxy. 4403): Late 2nd/early 3rd-century fragment of Matthew 13-14.Old Syriac Fragment: A 6th-century manuscript containing an earlier 3rd-century translation of Matthew 11:30-12:26. These manuscripts demonstrate that the Gospel of Matthew was in circulation in Egypt and elsewhere by the late 2nd or early 3rd century.