One of the most popular Bible verses in the Gospel of Matthew is Matthew 7:7:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
This verse is part of Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, where he encourages his followers to persistently seek God’s guidance, provision, and blessings through prayer and faith. It is often quoted to emphasize the importance of seeking God with confidence and trust in His provision.
The Gospel of Matthew (PDF download)
An Overview
The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament in the Christian Bible and is traditionally ascribed to Matthew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Here’s an introduction to the Gospel of Matthew:
- Authorship: The gospel itself does not explicitly identify its author, but early Christian tradition attributes it to Matthew, also known as Levi, the tax collector who became one of Jesus’ disciples. The author is thought to have been a Jewish-Christian writer familiar with Jewish customs and scriptures.
- Purpose: The Gospel of Matthew was written to present Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah (the Christ) and to demonstrate how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies and the promises made to the Jewish people. Matthew seeks to establish Jesus’ authority as the Son of God and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.
- Audience: Matthew’s gospel was likely intended for a predominantly Jewish-Christian audience, although it also addresses Gentile believers. The gospel emphasizes Jesus’ fulfillment of Jewish prophecy and his role as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
Themes
- The Kingdom of Heaven: Matthew frequently refers to the “kingdom of heaven” (or “kingdom of God”), emphasizing Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom’s presence and its ethical demands on believers. The gospel presents Jesus as the king of this kingdom, offering salvation and restoration to all who believe.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy: Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, portraying him as the promised Messiah descended from the line of David. The gospel frequently cites Old Testament passages to highlight how Jesus fulfills the expectations of the Jewish scriptures.
- Ethical Teaching: Matthew contains extensive ethical teachings attributed to Jesus, including the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7), which outlines principles for kingdom living such as humility, righteousness, and love for one’s enemies.
- Discipleship and Mission: Matthew emphasizes the call to discipleship and the mission of the Church to proclaim the gospel to all nations. Jesus commissions his disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20).
Structure
The Gospel of Matthew is structured around five major discourses or teachings of Jesus, interspersed with narrative accounts of Jesus’ ministry, miracles, and interactions with various individuals and groups:
- The Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7)
- The Missionary Discourse (chapter 10)
- The Parabolic Discourse (chapter 13)
- The Community Discourse (chapter 18)
- The Eschatological Discourse (chapters 24-25)
Key Events
Matthew’s gospel includes key events such as the birth and infancy narratives of Jesus, his baptism by John the Baptist, the calling of the disciples, the Transfiguration, the crucifixion, and the resurrection.
In summary, the Gospel of Matthew presents a portrait of Jesus as the promised Messiah and the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Israel. It underscores Jesus’ authority, teachings, and redemptive mission, inviting readers to recognize and respond to his call to discipleship and participation in the kingdom of heaven.
